Troll - Full demo tape - [France, 1981, zeuhl]
Thanks to Richard for the correction of the cover.
Troll was a French band that released only one demo tape recorded in a studio, around 1981, with a funky and disco sound combined with Magma's style. The lineup included Stella Vander and Liza Deluxe (aka Bois) on backing vocals, and the Guillard brothers (ex-Weidorje) on horns. The band featured Pascal Meyer on drums, Jean-Pascal Boffo on guitar, André Jaeck on keyboards, Pascal Kober on bass, and Michel Altmayer on drums and keyboards.
Apparently, there is also a live tape by this lineup without the guest musicians, but I couldn't find information about the existence of that tape.
Later, in 1984, Troll appeared on the cassette "Préludes," which was given as a gift to the first 100 pre-buyers of the French Rock Discography. They also appeared on the 1987 sampler "Ennéade," alongside bands like Magma, Eskaton, Xalph, Shub-Niggurath, and other artists. In 2007, they were featured on the album Hamtaï!, a tribute to Magma.
Originally, the band was called Mandragore, but later changed their name to Geheb-Ré, reflecting a strong Magma influence. Eventually, the band became known as Troll. Before Geheb-Ré, Jean-Pascal Boffo had played in a progressive band influenced by King Crimson, called Red. Around 1988, Michel Altmayer decided to record songs he had created during Troll's time and collaborated with well-known local musicians, including his wife, Nathalie Basset, on violin. This album was released by Altmayer under the name "Troll Vol. 2."
There is no further information available about this band, as it remains largely unknown.