Ange

Ange is a French progressive rock band formed in Belfort in late 1969 by brothers Christian Décamps (vocals, keyboards) and Francis Décamps (keyboards, vocals), with Jean-Michel Brézovar (guitar, vocals), Gérard Jelsch (drums, percussion) and Daniel Haas (bass). The group first made a name for itself locally with the show La Fantastique épopée du Général Machin, staged in January 1970 at the Centre Culturel de La Pépinière in Belfort. Inspired by medieval and fantasy texts and tales, as well as musically by the English school of progressive rock with traditional French and Irish influences, Ange performed in Paris at the Golf Drouot and immediately signed to the Philips label. In 1972, they released their first album, Caricatures, which proved a big hit with the public, as did the group's theatrical performances at Johnny Hallyday's Johnny Circus that same year. Success continued with the following concept albums Le Cimetière des Arlequins (1973), Au-Delà du Délire (1974), Emile Jacotey (1975) and Par les Fils de Mandrin (1976), featuring Christian Décamps' polished lyrics and the musicians' sophisticated accompaniment. The band's cover of Jacques Brel's "Ces gens-là" in 1974 attracted a wide audience beyond the rock sphere. After the albums Guet-Apens (1978) and Vu d'un Chien (1980), Ange abandoned long musical structures for a more direct songwriting style on Moteur! (1981) and other 1980s releases. Likewise, the original group was no longer in existence, and the Décamps brothers found themselves surrounded by new musicians. In 1987, Brézovar and Haas rejoined the group on the album Tout Feu Tout Flamme, followed by Sève Qui Peut (1989) and Les Larmes du Dalaï-Lama (1992). In 1995, a new era began with the departure of Francis Décamps, who was replaced by his nephew Tristan Décamps, already involved in the side project Christian Décamps et Fils. The group returned to the progressive rock of its beginnings, revived throughout the 2000s with a regular live presence. Albums follow in regular succession, including Souffleurs de Vers (2007), Moyen-Âge (2012), Emile Jacotey Résurrection (2014) and Heureux! (2018). Seven years later, a new studio opus, Cunégonde (2025), is released.

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