Unexpect

Unexpect

Company type	Independent (formerly signed to The End Records, Galy Records)
Industry	Music
Founded	January 1, 1996 (1996-01-01) in Montréal, Canada
Defunct	August 22, 2015 (2015-08-22)
Headquarters	Montréal , Canada
Products	Avant-garde extreme metal music

Unexpect (also stylized as uneXpect, unexpecT, and UnexpecT) was an avant-garde extreme metal ensemble originating from Montréal, Canada. The group was distinguished by their fusion of various genres, including progressive metal, death metal, black metal, melodic heavy metal, alongside an eclectic mix of styles such as European classical, medieval, opera, gypsy jazz, electro, ambient, noise, and elements reminiscent of circus music.

Their initial album, Utopia, was self-released and garnered significant sales through unconventional distribution methods and online fan engagement. Later releases were issued under the label The End Records before the band reverted to independent production.

History

The founding members Artagoth and SyriaK remained integral to the band throughout its existence. The recording of Utopia took place in 1998, with its independent release following in 1999. In 2003, the EP _We, Invaders was launched via Canadian label Galy Records. After securing a contract with the New York-based The End Records, Unexpect unveiled their sophomore album, In a Flesh Aquarium, on August 22, 2006, across North America. Their third studio effort, Fables of the Sleepless Empire, was released on May 31, 2011. Notably, In a Flesh Aquarium received the accolade for Best Hard Rock/Metal Album through the Vox Pop vote at the 7th Independent Music Awards.

On August 22, 2015, after nearly three years without activity, the band publicly announced via their official Facebook page that they had disbanded to focus on separate musical endeavors.

Members

Final lineup

• Eryk "Syriak" Chapados – lead vocals, guitar (1996–2015) (formerly of Ekinox and Magister Dixit)
• Stéphane "Artagoth" English – lead vocals, guitar (1996–2015)
• Roxanne "Leïlindel" Hegyesy – lead vocals (2001–2015)
• Frédérick "ChaotH" Filiatrault – bass (2001–2015) (Humanoid)
• Landryx – drums (2004–2015) (previously with Decadawn and Eclipse Prophecy)
• Blaise Borboën-Léonard – violin (2007–2015)

Session musicians

• Nathalie Duchesne – supplementary violin and cello (2003–2015)
• Stéphanie Colerette – supplementary violin and cello (2003–2015)
• Amélie Blanchette – clarinet (2006–2015)

Former members

• Véronique "Elda" Michaud – lead vocals (1996–2001)
• Mathieu "Zircon" Phaneuf – bass (1996–2001)
• Olivier "Merzenya" Genest – keyboards (1996–2001)
• Anthony Trujillo – drums (2002)
• Dasnos – drums (2003)
• Charles "Le Bateleur" Crépeau – violin (1996–2006)
• Stéphane "ExoD" Primeau – drums (1996–2002), keyboards, piano, sampling (2002–2010)

Timeline

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Colors =

 id:vocals   value:red        legend:Vocals
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 id:guitar   value:green      legend:Guitar
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 id:bass     value:blue       legend:Bass
 id:drums    value:orange     legend:Drums
 id:lines1   value:black      legend:Studio_release
 id:bars     value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

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BarData =

 bar:Elda   text:Elda
 bar:Leïlindel text:Leïlindel
 bar:LeBateleur text:Le Bateleur
 bar:Blaise text:Blaise
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 bar:Artagoth text:Artagoth
 bar:Merzenya text:Merzenya
 bar:Zircon text:Zircon
 bar:ChaotH text:ChaotH
 bar:ExoD text:ExoD
 bar:Anthony text:Anthony
 bar:Dasnos text:Dasnos
 bar:Landryx text:Landryx

PlotData=

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 bar:Artagoth from:start till:end color:guitar
 bar:Artagoth from:start till:end color:vocals width:3
 bar:Zircon from:start till:01/01/2001 color:bass
 bar:ChaotH from:01/01/2001 till:end color:bass
 bar:Merzenya from:start till:01/01/2001 color:keyboards
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 bar:ExoD from:01/01/2002 till:01/01/2011 color:keyboards
 bar:Anthony from:01/01/2002 till:01/01/2003 color:drums
 bar:Dasnos from:01/01/2003 till:01/01/2004 color:drums
 bar:Landryx from:01/01/2004 till:end color:drums
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LineData=

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at:11/01/2003 color:black layer:back
at:08/22/2006 color:black layer::back
at :05 /31 /2011 color:black layer :back

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Discography

• Utopia (1999, independently released)
• _wE, Invaders EP (2003, Galy Records; distribution by The End Records)
• In a Flesh Aquarium (2006, released through The End Records)
• Fables of the Sleepless Empire (2011, independently issued)

External links

• , archived July 28, 2015
• UneXpect profile at The End Records