Manu le Malin

A main character of the international hardcore techno scene, Manu le Malin is the symbol of the struggle of a musical genre for its own right to live. He has overcome hardship and made his way in life since this evening of 1991 where Manu, who was dragged along by friends, discovered “raves”, their relaxed atmosphere and their new music. It was a genuine disruption into the life of this young Parisian who was just 20, and who decided to change his life.

Exit his first love for alternative rock, punk and ska music. He decides to dedicate himself body and soul to Djing, and must find a stage name. It will be Manu le Malin referring to the movie “Les Frères Pétard” of Hervé Palud. He quickly appears on stage in the growing free parties next to the Psychiatrik sound system, or in the raves of Le Bourget, or during the mythical after parties of Pont de Tolbiac.

His music, originally techno/trance, becomes harder and darker with the arrival of production labels such as PCP and Industrial Strength, which then develop a new sound: hardcore. Having an innate sense of groove and an outstanding technique, he soon can see his fame spreading abroad. Without disowning his underground roots, then we can see him appearing in big events such as Energy in Zurich in 1995, in front of more than 15,000 people.

At the same time, he meets during a party the American Lenny Dee, who is the owner of the label Industrial Strength. The latter decides to give Manu a chance and allowed him to release his first maxi “Memory”. The same year, Manu releases two mix CDs, “Paris Hardcore” always with Industrial Strength, and “Hardcore vol. 2” with the French of Fairway.

But this is in 1997 with the release of Biomechanik, name assumed referring to the works of the Swiss plastic artist H.R. Giger, that we can see Manu at the height of his talent. The art of mix favouring atmosphere over speed, carrying insidiously the listener away towards unsuspected musical lands. At the same time, he creates with his lifelong friend Torgull the label 46 Records, which numbers today more than twenty references.

In April 1998, we can trace Manu during the first rave organised in Bercy: Métropole Techno, and in September in the same year, during the finale of the first Techno Parade, Place de la Nation. Without making concessions, he there showed the sound he is fond of, as well as in the monthly programme he animates on Radio Nova: Extreme Terror.

At the beginning of autumn 1999, the second volume of the Biomechanik series is released by F Communications, the structure of another partner: Laurent Garnier. At the beginning of the new millennium, Manu increases collaborations and projects out of the scene of techno and dancefloor. This way he writes a cartoon sound-track for Canal +: “Y’a un os”. And above all, in summer 2000, he takes part with Torgull in the creation of a new musical work “Hier, Aujourd’hui, Demain” with René Koering by his side and the Orchestre National de Montpellier. Reconciling classical with electronic music during a brilliant concert at the Corrum of Montpellier and at the Théâtre du Chatelet of Paris.

It is only in 2002, after ten years of a continuous passion, that Manu delivers at least his first album: “Fighting Spirit”, which was enthusiastically welcomed by the papers as well as the public. Then he tries rock’n’roll with his first album of the group, of which Manu wrote all the words, releases during spring 2004.

Since then, Manu carries on in his residences, especially at the Rex in Paris, or during the annual festival Astropolis in Brest, of which he is responsible for the programme planning of the hardcore scene. Then with new musical support such as DVD arriving, he realises at the beginning of autumn 2005 the final part of his famous trilogy “Biomechanik”, filmed in the bar of the museum of H.R. Giger. For Manu, a big fan of the Swiss artist, the “rave” came true (the dream came true).

For more information, track listing (which includes 7 Industrial Strength Records tracks)
and a video preview go to : www.paranoid-section.com

BL009 : OUTLAW : "THE WILD EP"

A1 X - TERROR
B1 AFRIK 125
B2 AFRIK125 (Ambient Mix)

(Manu Le Malin 1996)