The co-founder, chief composer, and leader of Belgian gothic band Univers Zero, Daniel Denis revealed a more sensitive side on two solo albums -- Sirius and the Ghosts and Les Eaux Troubles -- during a hiatus from the band in the early '90s. While the albums retained the acoustic/electric approach of Univers Zero, Denis coaxed a variety of textures from a blend of synthesized keyboards and percussion, supplemented by a wide array of instruments -- including clarinet, saxophone, cello, recorder, and bass -- played by his sidemen.

Together with guitarist Roger Trigaux, Denis formed Univers Zero in 1977. While their first two albums -- 1313, released in 1977, and Heresie, released two years later -- were mostly acoustic and featured violin, viola, cello, bassoon, harmonium, spinet, bass, guitar, and percussion, their third outing, Ceux du Dehors, issued in 1980, placed greater emphasis on the use of electric instrumentation. The band pursued an even more electrified approach on Uzed in 1984 and Heatwave in 1986.

Temporarily disbanding a year later, the group reunited in the late '90s, releasing a new album, The Hard Quest, in 1999. With Denis firmly at the helm, Univers Zero continued issuing albums (all on the Cuneiform label) during the following decade, including Rhythmix (2002), Implosion (2004), Live (2006), and Clivages (2010). ~ Craig Harris, Rovi