Machiavel -

Machiavel are a Belgian rock band, first active from 1974 to 1982. After their 1976 self-titled EMI debut, they hired longstanding vocalist Mario Guccio and released the popular 1977/78 albums Jester and Mechanical Moonbeams. Musically, they evolved from symphonic/hard-rock to streamlined new wave.

Members: Marc Ysaye (drums, vocals), Roland Degreef (bass), Albert Letecheur (keyboards, 1974-79), Jack Roskam (guitar, 1974-76), Jean-Paul Devaux (guitar, 1976-79), Mario Guccio (vocals, 1976-2018), Thierry Plas (guitar, 1979-2010)

Background

Machiavel formed in 1974 when bassist Roland Degreef and drummer Marc Ysaye hired guitarist Jack Roskam and keyboardist Albert Letecheur. They initially named the band Moby Dick before choosing Machiavel, the French spelling of the surname of Italian Renaissance philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli.

That year, they recorded five originals: two by Degreef (“To Be Free” and “Don’t Remember”) and three by Ysaye (“When You Turn Green,” “The Birds Are Gone,” and “I’m Nowhere”). Though they initially played in a hard-rock/boogie mode, they soon gravitated to symphonic-rock, due in part to Letecheur’s classical leanings.

Machiavel

Machiavel released their self-titled debut album in 1976 on EMI/Harvest.

The album introduces the Belgian quartet’s early symphonic style, balancing reflective vocal numbers and extended instrumental passages shaped by organ, electric piano, and lyrical guitar interplay.

Drummer–vocalist Marc Ysaye, keyboardist–guitarist Albert Letecheur, guitarist Jack Roskam, and bassist Roland De Greef composed all six songs. Ysaye co-wrote five of the tracks with Letecheur and one with Roskam, who also penned the brief acoustic interlude “I Am.” Letecheur co-wrote the closing piece “Leave It Where It Can Stay” with Ysaye and Una Faravel.

Much of Machiavel alternates between mournful and contemplative moods. The opener “Johan’s Brother Told Me” unfolds from a slow, keyboard-driven prelude into elegiac verses that frame the album’s recurring theme of loss. “Cheerlesness” sustains a sparse, downcast atmosphere, building to a classically inflected piano coda. “Cry No More” begins as a gentle acoustic lament before shifting into a heavier midsection with Roskam’s sustained lead guitar.

“When Johan Died, Sirens Were Singing” spans dynamic contrasts between piano motifs, stately vocal phrasing, and assertive guitar lines. The brief “I Am” presents Roskam’s solo acoustic style, while “Leave It Where It Can Stay” closes the album on an extended, somber note with layered keyboards and guitar phrasing that echo Focus’s European romanticism.

A1. “Johan’s Brother Told Me” (7:30)
A2. “Cheerlesness” (6:40)
A3. “Cry No More” (5:20)

B1. “When Johan Died, Sirens Were Singing” (9:20)
B2. “I Am” (1:30)
B3. “Leave It Where It Can Stay” (8:35)

Sessions occurred at Morgan Studios in Brussels with producer Jack Say.

The album’s cover, issued on the Harvest imprint of EMI Belgium, presents an abstract monochrome design consistent with the introspective tone of the music.

Jester

Machiavel released their second album, Jester, in 1977 on EMI/Harvest.

The album marks the arrival of Italian-born singer–reedist Mario Guccio and guitarist Jean-Paul Devaux, completing the lineup that defined Machiavel’s classic period. Jester refines their symphonic style with a more dramatic tone, ornate keyboard layering, and fuller vocal presentation. The sound blends theatrical grandeur and rhythmic drive, drawing on British influences while maintaining the band’s Continental sense of space and contrast.

Albert Letecheur plays assorted piano (piano, electric, honky-tonk), keyboards (harpsichord, synthesizer, Mellotron), and percussion (tubular bells, glockenspiel). He co-wrote five songs with bassist Roland De Greef, who multi-tasks on electric/12-string guitar and bells. De Greef collaborated on “Moments” with drummer Marc Ysaye, who also plays sleigh bells, flexatone, and percussive sundries.

Much of Jester alternates between solemn atmospheres and brisk, rhythmically shifting passages. The opener “Wisdom” establishes the album’s template with intertwining keyboards and sharp guitar turns that frame Guccio’s expressive vocal. “Sparkling Jaw” begins as a restrained vocal piece and broadens into a layered midsection with sustained keyboard voicings and fluid guitar phrasing. “Moments” serves as the album’s reflective centerpiece with 12-string guitar and gentle Mellotron backing. “In the Reign of Queen Pollution” revisits the ecological imagery of early 1970s prog, unfolding in paced movements from pensive piano to a stately instrumental close.

On side two, the title track “The Jester” features bright electric piano and dynamic time shifts in a style akin to Crime of the Century-era Supertramp. “Mr. Street Fair” contrasts theatrical verses with urgent instrumental breaks, while “Rock, Sea and Tree” closes the album with an extended progression that moves from sparse openings to an accelerating finale with guitar and Mellotron interplay.

A1. “Wisdom” (6:00)
A2. “Sparkling Jaw” (7:00)
A3. “Moments” (3:17)
A4. “In the Reign of Queen Pollution” (6:56)

B1. “The Jester” (5:20)
B2. “Mr. Street Fair” (7:55)
B3. “Rock, Sea and Tree” (9:52)

Sessions occurred at Morgan Studios in Brussels with producer Jack Say.

The gatefold sleeve features artwork depicting a painted harlequin tableau consistent with the album’s theatrical tone and title motif.

Mechanical Moonbeams

Machiavel released their third album, Mechanical Moonbeams, in 1978 on EMI/Harvest.

The album expands their symphonic framework into a denser, more dynamic sound with pronounced contrasts between soft acoustic passages, intricate rhythmic turns, and extended Mellotron-driven climaxes. It also marks the height of their progressive phase before their subsequent move toward a more streamlined approach.

Keyboardist Albert Letecheur plays grand/electric piano, Solina String Ensemble, and Mellotron. He composed five of the album’s seven songs and co-wrote the remaining tracks with bassist Roland De Greef, drummer–vocalist Marc Ysaye, singer Mario Guccio, and guitarist Jean-Paul Devaux, who plays mandolin and steel on select passages.

The material divides evenly between forceful, rhythmically charged pieces and introspective ballads. “Beyond the Silence” opens the album with alternating surges of Mellotron choirs and angular guitar patterns against rapid shifts in pace. “Summon Up Your Strength” moves from restrained verses to explosive instrumental breaks marked by distorted guitar and grand piano. “Rope Dancer,” a ballad that earned the band its first Belgian hit, centers on Guccio’s soft delivery over acoustic guitar and layered Mellotron tones.

“Rebirth” contrasts pastoral beginnings with a brisk, syncopated second half, while “After the Crop” develops from a fragile acoustic theme into an extended symphonic buildup of bass pedals, sustained keyboards, and choral textures. “Mary” offers a subdued, narrative ballad with 12-string guitar and flute tones. “The Fifth Season” closes the album with alternating slow and accelerated sections that build toward a climactic finale of Mellotron and guitar interplay.

A1. “Beyond the Silence” (6:10)
A2. “Summon Up Your Strength” (5:03)
A3. “Rope Dancer” (3:40)
A4. “Rebirth” (7:10)

B1. “After the Crop” (7:55)
B2. “Mary” (4:10)
B3. “The Fifth Season” (7:25)

Sessions occurred at Morgan Studios in Brussels with Machiavel producing alongside Erwin Vervaecke, who engineered and mixed the album with Jean Trenchant and Pierre Dupriez.

The sleeve art presents a surreal image consistent with the album’s title and contrasts of organic and mechanical imagery.

Harvest promoted Mechanical Moonbeams with “Rope Dancer,” which received strong airplay in Belgium and established Machiavel’s presence beyond the progressive circuit.

8. “Wind of Life” (6:12)
9. “I’m Not a Loser” (5:42)

Urban Games

Machiavel released their fourth album, Urban Games, in 1979 on EMI/Harvest.

The record continues the band’s evolution toward a polished progressive rock style infused with pop, reggae, and funk elements, maintaining their signature melodic and harmonic complexity while exploring more accessible song structures.

The lineup features Roland De Greef on bass guitar and bass pedals, Marc Ysaye on drums, percussion, and vocals, Jean Paul Devaux on guitar, Albert Letecheur on keyboards, and Mario Guccio on saxophone and vocals. Machiavel group-wrote all eight tracks.

“The Humans” opens with a Supertramp-inspired pop sensibility. “Over the Hill” blends reggae rhythms with bright choruses. “City Flowers” shifts from a Beatles-esque melodic introduction to dynamic, upbeat patterns. Rock-centered tracks such as “Let Me Live My Life” and “The Dictators” offer energetic and lyrically pointed statements, while “Still Alive” features a mellow ballad structure with instrumental expansion. “Dancing Heroes” experiments with funk textures, and “I’m Not a Loser” merges pop, soul, and rock nuances.

A1. “The Humans” (4:18)
A2. “Over the Hill” (3:16)
A3. “Still Alive” (5:35)
A4. “City Flowers” (5:50)

B1. “Dancing Heroes” (3:32)
B2. “I’m Not a Loser” (5:34)
B3. “Let Me Live My Life” (3:33) — candid rock piece with Supertramp-inspired keys.
B4. “The Dictators” (5:21)

Sessions occurred at Studio Katy, mixed at Studio Katy with producer Erwin Vervaecke and engineers Erwin Vervaecke and Jean Trenchant.

Urban Games features cover photography by André Claessens (front) and Paul Coerten (back).

The single “Over the Hill” became a notable Belgian hit.

New Lines

Machiavel released their fifth album, New Lines, in 1980 on EMI/Harvest.

The album marks a deliberate shift from the band’s progressive roots toward a more direct rock sound, occasionally embracing harder edges while incorporating elements of reggae and New Wave-influenced rhythms.

The lineup features Marc Isaye on drums and vocals, Roland De Greef on bass, synthesizer, and backing vocals, Thierry Plas on guitar and backing vocals, and Mario Guccio on saxophone and vocals. Machiavel group-wrote all ten tracks.

“Fly” opens with driving rhythms and sharp vocal turns, establishing itself as a standout anthem. “Lying World” fuses reggae pulses with rock energy, while “Champagne in Amsterdam” blends pop sensibilities with angular keyboard and guitar lines. Mid-tempo tracks like “Playboy” and “Turn Off” offer steady, rhythmic momentum, and “Fade Away” closes the album with soft, atmospheric textures. “Memories,” “A Life,” and “So Clear” exude bright modern-rock precision.

A1. “Fly” (3:25)
A2. “Lying World” (2:48)
A3. “Relax” (3:05)
A4. “Champagne in Amsterdam” (4:02)
A5. “Memories” (3:50)

B1. “Turn Off” (3:45)
B2. “A Life” (3:35)
B3. “Playboy” (3:35)
B4. “So Clear” (3:25)
B5. “Fade Away” (4:38)

Sessions occurred at Relight Studios with producer Dany Lademacher and engineer Robin Freeman.

New Lines features cover design and photography by B. Theunissen, with liner photography by G. Batz.

The single “Fly” became a major Belgian hit and remains a concert staple, highlighting the album’s enduring appeal and successful balance of rock and rhythmic experimentation.

Break Out

Machiavel released their sixth album, Break Out, in 1981 on EMI/Harvest.

The record continues the band’s evolution toward a more diverse rock palette, combining pop, reggae, hard rock, and occasional atmospheric touches.

The lineup features Mario Guccio on vocals, Marc Isaye on drums, percussion, and backing vocals, Roland De Greef on bass, keyboards, and backing vocals, and Thierry Plas on guitar, backing vocals, and cover artwork. Backing vocals appear from Linda Crank, Marc Piscitelli, and Nick Uhrig on selected tracks.

“Somebody Loves You Tonight” exudes stridency, while “Tonight” and “Town to Town” deliver driving rock momentum. “Charlena” offers bright pop appeal, and “I Need It” incorporates reggae-influenced pacing. “Nobody Knows” slows the tempo with atmospheric keyboard textures hinting at the band’s progressive roots. “Draw the Line” features a prominent guitar solo, and “Lay Down” closes with a powerful, hard-edged statement, tying back to the group’s earlier rock orientation.

A1. “Somebody Loves You Tonight” (3:16)
A2. “Tonight” (3:02)
A3. “Charlena” (3:32)
A4. “I Need It” (4:15)
A5. “Draw the Line” (3:35)

B1. “Nobody Knows” (4:21)
B2. “Running” (3:17)
B3. “Town to Town” (3:29)
B4. “Rough City” (3:18)
B5. “Lay Down” (3:34)

Sessions occurred at Wally Heider Recording Studio in Los Angeles with producer Derek Lawrence and engineer/mixer Marc Piscitelli.

Thierry Plas created the cover artwork, with photography by L. Schrobiltgen.