Mass Hysteria

Mass Hysteria

Mass Hysteria is a French metal band formed in 1995. Their early sound draws on metal and hardcore influences, with references in their development to Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, Faith No More, Bad Brains, Prong and Slayer. Their first album, Le Bien Etre et la Paix, is recorded with André Gielen and combines groove, samples and sharp guitar work. It leads to extensive touring across Europe and to attention from French festival and venue appearances, including Les Transmusicales de Rennes, Le Printemps de Bourges, Le Bataclan and Le Parc des Princes in Paris.

The group tours in Canada with Grimskunk and in the UK with Pitch Shifter, and later performs a large show at La Cigale in Paris. In 1998 it records the live release Raw Power “Live” in Montréal, which includes an unreleased song and a Sepultura cover. Later that year it records Contraddiction in England with producer Colin Richardson, known for work with Machine Head, Fear Factory and PSI. The album includes 13 tracks and features a contribution from Lojo Triban. The band then tours with Korn in France, and Korn reportedly discusses the possibility of involving Mass Hysteria in Family Values.

In 2000, Erwan and Pascal leave the band. Mass Hysteria then brings in Olivier, a long-time friend whose guitar playing, hardcore energy, piano background and work with samples and loops become part of the group’s sound. With Colin Richardson still producing, the band records its third album, De Cercle En Cercle, in England. The record is described as more melodic, melancholic and spacious, and marks a renewed openness to different styles.

After completing a long tour following De Cercle En Cercle, the band takes a break before its fourth studio album and chooses not to continue with Sony Music. Wagram Music then becomes the label for the next phase of the group’s work. Mass Hysteria records with producer Matt Hyde, whose energetic rock style fits the direction of the new material. The album is completed after time at Studio du Manoir, used by acts including Noir Désir and Dolly, and a final mix in London with Hyde.