Mass Hysteria (band)
Mass Hysteria is a French heavy metal band formed in 1993. They have released eleven studio albums and four live albums in their 30-year career. Their breakthrough came in 1999 with their second album Contraddiction.
Mass Hysteria
1993–present
Mouss
Yann
Fred
Raphaël
Jamie
Erwan
Overload System
Olivier Coursier
Stéphane
Nicolas
Vince
Atom
Created in 1993, the band recorded their first album, Le Bien-être et la Paix (Well-being and Peace), four years later. After this album, Mass Hysteria's breakthrough album came in 1999 with the release of Contraddiction which sold over 50,000 copies. The album itself is still widely regarded as the band's iconic 'Black album'. It was produced and mixed by Colin Richardson.[3][4]
In 2001 the band returned after intensive touring with a different approach with the release of 'De Cercle en Cercle'. This album received mixed feelings with the arrival of new guitarist Olivier Coursier. The album's new pop/rap experiment approach left the band isolated from the metal scene. Michel Houellebecq, met in Québec, was supposed to write one of the songs but the agreement was never finalized.[3]
In 2005 the band released 'Mass Hysteria' confirming the band's new, softer pop/metal approach.[5] Finally, in 2007 with the departure of Olivier and arrival of Nicolas Savoury the band returned with 'Une somme de détails' (an addition of details).[5] The album pushed Mass Hysteria back to its root of origin that made it a success. This album was heavier than ever, and began to close-in on the level of success of 'Contraddiction'. Two years later, in late 2009, the band released 'Failles' (cracks). The album's cover undeniably confirmed the band's renewed connection with 'contraddiction' (also in red and black). The album received critical acclaim.[6] Original bassist, Stéphan Jaquet departed the band in 2011. He would pass away in 2021 in the age of 53.
In the mass media, Mass Hysteria was known for some controversies and incidents[7][8] surrounding them. But some critics have also noticed the quality of their music[9][10] and their growing success.[3]
Touring[edit]
In the last 25 years the band has played principally in France, Belgium and Switzerland. The 1998 Contradiction Tour resulted in over 300 concerts throughout France. In 2013, Mass Hysteria began La Tournée des ombres as part of the band's 20th anniversary and to promote their most recent album. The tour for their album " Matière Noire " was 120 shows going all over France, Switzerland, Belgium, Quebec and Russia.