Country : France

In many year’s time, when music historians will look back at our generation for the source of the Hardcore French music scene, they will find surely find a few groups, one of which which will stand out will be without a doubt Micropoint !

Their story begins in Paris. Friends from high school, Denis aka Al Core et Daniel aka Radium get turned on to electronic sound in the late 80’s-- for a short period, Al Core was even part of an EBM/Industrial band called Kriegbereit. However, it was one fateful night in 1992, during an underground Rave Party, that the two were exposed to their future. There, they heard for the first time a new style stemming from a creative techno frenzy that was just beginning to take wing: the Hardcore. At first listen, they perceived the opportunity to really express themselves through a kind of music that had an amazing energy and was completely stripped of any conventional composition and standards. The wheels were set in motion and the two friends joined forces to start a live project that they called Micropoint. The two got picked up rather quickly not only for the quality and energy of their shows but also because in a world where Djs were one, there were two of them on stage mixing together- rare for the DJ world.

Soon, their name was appearing on the line-up of the biggest raves in France , such as, Underdome and D-Mention. At the same time, Radium decided to start a solo project but the desire to leave a record trail started calling him and in 1995, Micropoint put out their first 12 ’’ maxi under the label Marseillais Beast as well as Epiteth in Paris. The following year, they started up their own label called Dead End Records, with two other artists : Speedyq’s et Sarin Assault, and in parallel, began to pursue solo projects- Al Core signs to Epileptik and becomes their top seller and Radium is involved in the creation of Psychik Genocide (1996) which will later become Audiogenic. From this moment on, whether together or flying solo, we found their names on a broad range of labels, from Deathchant to Headfuck and Gooble to Sodom. Being true to their underground roots, they were still seen mixing it up in free-parties and teknivals- a fact immortalized by Radium’s mixtape released under the legendary label Stormcore from the not less famous Spiral Tribe.

1999 was the year of recognition! With their release of Neurophonie, the first French Hardcore album to hit the shelves, and which was met with a huge success- 300,00 copies sold- France became a worldwide reference for the Industrial Hardcore scene in thousands of banging Dutch production venues. Influenced by cinema- the two were and always are diehard fans of TH1138, Rubber Johnny, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Punishment Park, Eraserhead, and not forgetting Naked Lunch- they started incorporating strong yet a smidge groovy-while-staying-minimalist-and-bass-drum beats in their work and the foundations to what we now know today as “Frenchcore” was born. After the foundations were layed, the duo were seen playing at numerous big French venues, such as Astropolis and the Borealis, to name a few. They could even be seen spinning their tunes at the Techno Parade ’98, Place de la Nation, Paris in front of 200,000 people, amongst the likes of headliners Laurent Garnier and Carl Cox. An incredible event which was filmed and broadcast by M6 (one of the main french tv channel) and which, according to the veiwers, « placed the bar rather high » for the two friends.

A challenge taken up brillantly by the International Anesthesie, an album heavily influenced by not just hardcore but other bands like Prodigy, Aphex Twin, Front 242, Pink Floyd and the French punk Berurier Noir. For this album they surrounded themselves with guest artists- amongst the mix: the singer of LTNO- well known in the EHB circles- Did’s- former drummer for Treponem Pal, and Manu Le Malin on the needle. The disc pulverised all Hardcore record sales in France and was granted the silver disc in France. The tour that followed, Nocturnal Disturbance- uninhibited Hardcore coupled with accoustic rhythms- featured Did’s on the drum and Mc Youthman. That moment will stay engraved in the minds of all Hardcore for years to come. Moreover, this awesome got the international doors to swing wide open for Micropoint and they go off playing in Germany, Holland, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and even Canada and the USA. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and so tinted by thier sudden success in 2001 the duo split... temporarily.

During this time, Radium and Al Core pursued solo careers which their fans loyally came to every show to cheer them on. Radium released Paranoïa Performance (2002), In Extremist (2003), Terminal Trauma (2006), and Masterpiss (2009). As for Al Core, he, along with Trypod, founded the label Golghott Records, and released his album Body Hammer (2003)- the cover was designed by Fred Beltran of The Humanoides Associés and who had already ilustrated the cover Anesthesie International – before putting out his remixed version, Body R-mix the following year, and Atomic Requiem was released in 2010. In 2005, the two crossed paths again while booked for the same party at the Rex Club. After that brief run-in, in 2007, they ended up brushing elbows yet again when asked to produce "L’empereur Tomato Ketchup", a remix of Berurier Noir and featured on the compilation entitled Manifeste Electronique. The wheels were once again set in motion! The band wass back together! Following, in summer ’07, they were seen reunited on stage for Astropolis, Electromind, and Ososphére. In Spring ’08, their fans were exstatic to find after 7 years of silence an all-new 100% unreleased-never-heard-before album on the shelves, Overdose United, signed Micropoint. And about to die when they learned that Micropoint was appearing live on tour with videos from Stef Bloch – the artist who worked with Berurier Noir, Vitalic, and Manu Chao, amongst others.

---- Exit Mankind ---

Micropoint hasn’t ceased to renew themselves and push their limits as artists. The proof? Exit Mankind, their newest release. This is an album that has been long awaited by their devoted fans and has already shown it will not disappoint. Already rave reviews from the crowds, whether it be those that have been there from the beginning or those they bagan with their solo acts.

The two propel the live Electronic once again into unchartered territory. The album and live show are something of a hybrid between a rock concert and a set club. The two are going more for a futurist Hardcore sound married with live punk rock guitar riffs and a sensual and yet deafeningly violent vocal. Al Core and Radium are not through with us yet!

The powerful theatre of Noise meets music is still alive... and today more than ever!...