Archive for the Réseau d’Ombres Category

Réseau d’Ombres – Abracax K7

Posted in 1980s, 1984, coldwave, france, french, post-punk, Réseau d’Ombres, synthpunk on April 24, 2025 by Frankie Teardrop

As promised, here’s Abracax, the über-rare  debut 1984 studio cassette release from French coldwave/synth-punk band Réseau d’Ombres.

This is one of three cassettes the band released in 1984 to kick off their explosive career. Live cassette Ireos has been reissued by ειρκτή in 2013, while the other live cassette Eliotropium (sung primarily in English) remains to be heard, minus a track or two on Youtube. This, however, is their debut through and through – the seeds of what the band would become are already flowering into something dark and caustic. All seven tracks on this cassette were part of the band’s repertoire and appear in live form on Ireos, but it’s nice to have these studio recordings to add to the mix.

This cassette taps into early 80s cassette culture in every way – the design of the cover and additional artwork is exquisite. The tape comes housed in a plastic sleeve and comes with seven hand-printed tarot card slivers and a 7”-sized stamped orange insert. You can see additional photos of this one on Discogs.

That all said, hope y’all enjoy the music!

Réseau d’Ombres – Abracax K7
1. Mercenary
2. Passé
3. Natural Gesture
4. The Meal
5. Happy Song
6. External Life
7. Just For Fun

*download it here*

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Réseau d’Ombres – Vinyl Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1987, coldwave, french, post-punk, punk, Réseau d’Ombres, synth, synthpunk on March 25, 2025 by Frankie Teardrop

Ahhh, this band. This band, this band, this band. No single French coldwave band gets my blood boiling more than Réseau d’Ombres. While not romantic and wistful like many of their contemporaries (and like much of the music I tend to prefer), this French trio is downright relentless and extremely caustic, while also remaining completely and utterly danceable. If you haven’t heard them yet, stop what you’re doing right now, download this link, and get listening. You can expect some of the most hard-hitting, synth-driven, coldwave you’ve ever heard – in the vein of bands like Ausweis, Killing Joke, Suicide, Guerre Froide, early Charles De Goal, Les Provisoires, early Xmal, and of course, Bérurier Noir.

The Laval-based band was rather prolific, releasing five cassettes (one which is a live show from 1984), one 7”, one 12”, and two full-length LPs between 1983 and 1987. The live cassette Ireos has been lovingly reissued by Greek label ειρκτή back in 2014, while the other cassettes are a bit more elusive. Except one that is coming in the mail shortly, so more on that later, wink-wink.

When I get in the mood for this band, nothing else will suffice, and with things as they are these last few weeks – let’s just say they’re really hitting the spot today. With that in mind, I wanted to post freshly updated rips of the band’s vinyl-only catalogue, and by “freshly,” I mean, I digitized the two LPs and 12” single for my own personal listening over ten years ago, and just haven’t gotten around to sharing them yet. Much love to Nick from Crispy Nuggets for handling the band’s exceptional debut 7” as well, which I’ve included with his blessing. Also, check out his video restoration work on “Mirrors” as well:

As always, enjoy!

Réseau d’Ombres – Instant 7” (1985)
1. Instant
2. Mirrors

Réseau d’Ombres – Sotcha LP (1985)
1 New York
2 On The Floor
3 D’Estonnie
4 Bigger
5. Return Ticket
6. Blue Horsemen
7. Square
8. Whoska Sound
9. The Gold Of Netsa

Réseau d’Ombres – Axe 12” (1987)
1. Hanky Panky
2. Perska
3. The Gash
4. Holy Scab

Réseau d’Ombres – Faction LP (1987)
1. Soldier
2. Control
3. Howtch
4. Fire Away!
5. 7.00
6. Mockers
7. Today 5
8. Burnt-Offering
9. The Hanged

*download everything here*

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