Univers Zero

Founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1974. Disbanded in 1987 and reformed in 1999.

Univers Zéro are to be associated with progressive rock and the undisputed creators of the genre known as 'chamber rock'. Getting their inspiration from such diverse sources as rock, jazz, European folk and classical music (both ancient and modern), they have forged a distinctive sound as well as influencing a vast number of contemporary avant-garde bands and ensembles.

The band was formed in 1973 by drummer Daniel Denis and trumpeter Claude Deron, with the original name of Necronomicon - though this was changed to Univers Zéro (after a book by Belgian novelist Jacques Sternberg) in 1974. At the time, their music was strongly influenced by electric jazz, though this changed when Michel Berckmans (reeds) joined the band.