Demians

A crafty, shape-shifting modern rock unit in the same vein as progressive-minded rock outfits such as Smashing Pumpkins, Thrice, and Radiohead, Demians is the brainchild of French musician and composer Nicolas Chapel. A one-man studio affair (Chapel utilizes a full live band), fiercely independent and specializing in a lush, textural combination of 21st century prog and soaring alt-rock, Chapel won plaudits for his debut album, 2008's Building an Empire. Subsequent recordings included 2010's Mute and 2014's Mercury. ~ James Christopher Monger