The Old Dead Tree

The Old Dead Tree, France's notoriously eclectic and divisive outfit, assembled in 1997 when vocalist/guitarist Manuel Munoz joined forces with guitarist Nicolas Chevrollier, bassist Vincent Danhier, and drummer Frédéric Guillemot, aiming to dismantle extreme metal norms through infusions of goth, darkwave, and dark pop. Initial delight at unveiling their sound on the 1999 demo The Blossom gave way to immediate devastation after drummer Guillemot took his own life, yet the tragedy fueled the group's resolve. They recruited Franck Metayer behind the kit for the 2003 concept album The Nameless Disease, a work shaped by and dedicated to their late bandmate's terminal depression, with former Holy Moses guitarist Andy Classen handling production. Two further genre-bending efforts, 2005's The Perpetual Motion and 2007's The Water Fields, brought both critical accolades and vociferous antagonism, but mounting musical differences ultimately and ironically split the members apart in 2009.