History

Trobar is a folk/prog metal band founded in 2009 in Rimouski, Quebec. Sharing etymological origins with "troubadour", Trobar unbury their roots and their ancestors' to share the poetical and musical universe they live in.

Trobar was founded in 2009 by two former members of the band Tenebrae Symphonia; keyboardist and guitarist Alexandre Levasseur and bassist Vincent Roy. Desiring to continue fulfilling their passion for music, they began this new project with some festive rites. Their idea fermented in an immense vat for several months before being served in a frothy mug. During this period, the first compositions were completed and fine tuned to drink from the divine nectar brewed from the soft vibrations of their instruments.

To complete the band, Alexandre and Vincent recruited, during the summer, guitarist Jean-Luc Déziel, flutist Pascale Lévesque, drummer Anaël Turcotte and accordionist Gabriel Paradis. Gabriel left the group a short time after its creation, as he didn't share in the vision for the band's future. After many fortuitous musical meetings, vocalist Éric Albert D'astous joined the group at the beginning of fall 2009. With Trobar complete, they now work on perfecting their music while heading out to conquer the Quebec metal scene.

Trobar's music is defined by a mix of Celtic as well as traditional Quebecois folk music and pure trash metal nuanced by a progressive influence from some band members. Principally addressed ideas are often the object of conceptual poetry and legends forged around a modern perspective of the past, present and future. Festivity is a main ingredient of their music, sometimes complemented in dark times by a touch of melancholy and aggressiveness. This often creates a disturbing and psychedelic atmosphere. Of course, Trobar harbours a unique sound stemming from members' motivation to exceed their limits each new composition.

In February 2011 Trobar released their debut EP 'Vÿs'. 5 songs included show the band's wide array of influences.

It took some years for the band to create their debut full-length album. Mid-April 2014 was time for it, and 'Charivari' was released. Professional production at Silver Wings Studios offered the colourful music to really stand up from the mass of all numerous folk metal acts.

(source: Trobar, September 2014; 2 last chapters added by AM)
(discography updated in September 2014)