amphyrite

• Label: Thors Hammer / Garden of Delights
• Format: CD, album reissue, stereo
• Booklet: Extensive band history in German, English and French, with photographs and reproductions of the original labels

Amphyrite were an obscure instrumental progressive and psychedelic rock trio from Villefranche-sur-Saône, near Lyon. Their sole album was privately issued in an extremely small edition and subsequently became one of the most difficult French underground records of its era to locate.

Working with the basic line-up of electric guitar, bass and drums, the group created a restless and highly energetic sound. Guy Descombes’ heavily distorted guitar moves constantly between forceful riffs, fuzz-laden improvisation and angular melodic figures, while Bernard Farant and Christian Copier provide a powerful and flexible rhythmic foundation.

The music avoids vocals, keyboards and elaborate orchestration, relying instead on the interaction of the three musicians. Extended pieces such as “Guinche” combine hard-rock weight with abrupt rhythmic changes and free-flowing psychedelic guitar, while “Oasis Boogie” and “Moppie” reveal the group’s blues and boogie foundations.

“Bric A Brac,” “Euquimod” and the unusually titled “Symphonie Pour 3 Œufs Brouillés” move into stranger and more experimental territory. The raw production and prominent fuzz guitar give the album a distinctive basement atmosphere, recalling the more aggressive moments of groups such as Guru Guru, Grave and Friedhof without losing its individual French character.

This CD reissue presents the complete seven-track album together with a substantial multilingual booklet documenting the history of the band and the exceptionally rare original private pressing.

Track Listing

1. Oasis Boogie – 5:40
2. Moppie – 4:35
3. Guinche – 9:00
4. Bric A Brac – 4:40
5. Euquimod – 4:00
6. Folie Folll – 5:10
7. Symphonie Pour 3 Œufs Brouillés – 3:30