XAAL

A cross-genre French progressive outfit from the mid-1980-1990's, largely in the Zeuhl field, but with many original touches.
Xaal started in 1986 with a line-up consisting of Laurent Imperato (guitar), Patrick Boileau (drums) and Nicolas Neimer (bass), to play jazz-rock covers, but they quickly decided to compose their own music. In 1988, when Stéphane Jaoui joined on keyboards, they transformed their music which became more original, with Zeuhl influences. Unfortunately, Jaoui left the band after only 7 months. In summer 1989, Jad Ayache joined on guitar-synth, and the quartet had just time to record 4 tracks in studio before Laurent Imperato left the group. Xaal continued as a trio, releasing a first full album in 1992. They split in 1993 during the recording of their second album, which was released posthumously.