Treponem Pal

Treponem Pal (named after "Treponema pallidum", the bacteria that causes syphilis) is a French industrial metal band formed in 1986. Early tracks such as "Embodiment of Frustration" mix together the relentless hypnotic heaviness popularised (if that is the word) by Swans and bursts of thrash metal and hardcore. Lyrics included the summer hit "Too Many Humans" which was roared out by vocalist and frontman Marco Neves: "Too many humans - we need - a nuclear war!"

Their first ("Treponem Pal") and third ("Excess and Overdrive") LPs were produced by Franz Treichler (Young Gods). Their second, "Aggravation" was produced by Roli Mosimann (Swans, Wiseblood). This album represents a highly focused achievement, combining Neves' bleak worldview and gift for striking lyrics with the band's controlled aggression, comparable to US bands Chrome and Prong. It was their third LP, however, which was to prove most popular with fans. Live performances were extraordinary affairs. Their policy of employing two bass players gave them a massive sound, Michel Bassin was a gifted guitarist (he played with Ministry on one of their US tours) and Marco Neves is a physically imposing performer.

They maintained this style up until fourth album "Higher", by which time the focus had shifted towards sampling and electronics, giving that album a more techno feel. "Higher" was produced by Sascha Konietzko from KMFDM.

The band then broke up, though vocalist Marco Neves and several other members formed a new band called Elephant System, which released one album produced by On-U Sound's Adrian Sherwood. This reflected Neves' longstanding interest in Jamaican and European dub as well as his work as a DJ and MC with the Dub Action Sound System and his involvement with the Hammerbass record label.Bass player Goran Juresic went in a more industrial dub direction with the band Lab° whilst drummer Didier Serbourdin formed the ultra-aggressive band Fast Forward which combined hardcore techno beats with high-octane metal guitars.

Treponem Pal has returned with a new album released in March 2008, entitled "Weird Machine". The album features Ted Parsons (from Swans and Prong) on drums and Paul Raven (from Killing Joke, Ministry and Prong) on bass, though tragically Raven suffered heart failure and died while collaborating with the band on the French-Swiss border. The album combines their earlier aggressive sound with more "rock" pieces as well as some "industrial ballads".

Line-up

* Marco Neves - Vocals
* Polak - Guitars
* Didier Breard - Samples

Former members

* Michel Bassin - Guitars
* Laurent B - Guitars
* Alain Fornasari - Guitars
* Ferguson - Bass
* Stéphane Cressend - Bass
* Amadou Sall - Bass
* David Lebrun - Drums
* Didier Serbourdin - Drums
* Goran Juresic - Bass

Discography

Albums

* "Treponem Pal" (1989)
* "Aggravation" (1991)
* "Excess & Overdrive" (1993)
* "Higher" (1997)
* "Weird Machine" (2008)