Magma - SLAǧ TANƶ (2015)

 

To my ears one of the best, if not the best of Magma ( Christian Vander) albums.This  has all the Zeuhlistic trademarks - pulsating bass, massed vocal dexterity,intricate and powerfull drumwork, which reaches those frenzied heights only this band know how to do, and all melded together as one whole, which demands to be heard from start to finish. I love the shamanistic ritual vocal touches which is quite new with this band. Check out the awesome live video below!

 A MUST HAVE for any any MAGMA fan! Only complaint is , i wished it were longer!!

SC&ME 

There are several things that set this album apart from other Magma albums that I have heard. First and foremost is the amazing cymbal play of drummer extraordinaire, Christian Vander. Second is the way in which Magma have refined and mastered their delivery format for their stories from the world of Kobaia. And third is the way in which the long-time band members have mastered and refined their vocal instruments: Stella Vander, Isabelle Feuillebois and Herv' Aknin (and even Klaus Blasquiz, who does not appear on this album) are simply astounding. They are solid as rocks. They are so seasoned that it is hard to discern any flaws in their work. It must be so nice for band leader, Christian Vander, to have such companion/collaborators who seem so unwavering in their support and who are so dedicated to this form of music, to the vision of their band leader, as well as to the betterment of their own skills. While I have to admit that I find Slag Tanz slightly less engaging than Magma's previous recent studio releases, however, I find it hard to rate any modern recording of Magma's with anything less than five stars because the composition, performances, and recording/engineering is so consistently strong (even though many of the compositions were composed decades ago and have been performed live for years). It is my strong opinion that we music listeners are so very privileged to have the recordings and concert performances of an artist with such strong and independent vision who always composes and performs at the absolute highest levels every time (and, of course, demands the same of his collaborators). 

This might be the single greatest piece of music that i've heard from MAGMA. According to Christian Vander it was written back in the seventies and played live in different forms since 2009. I'm such a big fan of not only dark and intense music like we have here but especially when contrasted with mellower passages. Now these more laid back sections often have this burning undercurrent to them but they also that lighter sound with female vocals at times. This is a 21 minute piece of seamless music divided into eight parts.

"Imehntosz-Alerte!" features Fender Rhodes, cymbals and bass early on as male vocals kick in. It settles back into a dark atmosphere as the male vocals return. Some tension here for sure as it blends into "Slag". The bass and vocals really impress here as it becomes fuller right away. It's picking up in tempo and in intensity a minute in. So good! Check out the insane vocals before 1 1/2 minutes as well as the killer drum work. It settles right down before 2 minutes as Fender Rhodes, drums, bass and female vocals lead the way. The insanity is back after 2 1/2 minutes but then it settles and blends into "Dumb" where female vocals and male vocals lead the way. They are burning it up with male vocals once again around a minute and check out the female vocal melodies that follow. Contrasts continue then a calm follows as bass and drums take the spotlight. It turns extreme again.
"Vers La Nuit" is led by female vocal melodies, bass and drums then the male vocals arrive as they trade off before both join in together as it turns fierce late. "Dumblae-Le Silence Des Mondes" settles to start with male vocals before it builds with male and female vocals. Check it out at 2 1/2 minutes! That female voice that cries out and the bass in that doom-like atmosphere. Incredible! "Zu Zain!" sounds amazing with the bass from Bussonnet that is just grooving and Vander's random drum patterns. Female vocals arrive around 1 1/2 minutes. "Slag Tanz" is beyond profound in my world with those intense vocals along with the Fender Rhodes, bass and drums. Simply killer! It settles late and it feels right that this EP should end here but then we get "Wohl Dunt" which is almost dirge-like with piano and Christian's slow vocals as it gives us a chance to figure out what the hell just happened.
I wasn't that impressed with the previous EP by MAGMA but man they have blown me away with this one.

Alright, here's the one all the Magma fans have been waiting for for quite some time now, and the question is, has the wait been justified? They've been playing this piece live since around 2009, and it has slowly morphed into the piece it is today. Bits have been chopped off, bits have been added, and does it work? Well for me, the answer to that is a resounding "yes". On my initial hearing, I didn't quite know what to make of it. It was certainly different than the live versions I had heard, it seemed to be lacking the sheer metal brutality of its live predecessor on Epok V, and I took this to be a weakness. Yet, there was still something in there that brought me back to it. After many listens, my ears have definitely warmed up to the sound of it, it is definitely less raw and metallic than the live version, but it is just as effective. This piece is very dense and episodic, alternating flawlessly between dark and heavy to angelic beauty. In other words, the piece is constantly moving itself forward, there is very little downtime; boring is the last word one could use to describe it. What it may lack in brutality, it makes up for with intensity and power. What I find most striking about this piece is its genius use of it's main, pulsating 5/4 bass riff (sort of like De Futura). The riff is present throughout nearly the entire piece, and yet it morphs to fit the mood of whichever section of the piece it's in. This riff lies under both heavy, dark passages as well as the light, melodic ones, and I believe this is where the genius of this piece lies; the ability to take this single riff, and flesh it out into a beautiful and powerful 20 minute piece. This is the very definition of fully fleshing out a single idea. Yes, I did say only 20 minutes, but the quality totally exceeds the quanitity. Vander's been working on this piece for years, he wouldn't release it as an unfinished work, he doesn't seem to be the one to take short cuts. Highly recommended.  Reviews from Progarchives.com

 Songs / Tracks Listing

 

1. Imëhntösz - Alerte ! (2:19)
2. Slag (3:03)
3. Dümb (2:57)
4. Vers la nuit (3:30)
5. Dümblaë - Le silence des mondes (2:58)
6. Zü Zaïn ! (2:16)
7. Slaǧ Tanƶ (2:29)
8. Wohldünt (1:23)

Total Time: 20:55

Line-up / Musicians

 

- Stella Vander / vocals
- Isabelle Feuillebois / vocals
- Hervé Aknin / vocals
- Benoit Alziary / vibraphone
- James Mac Gaw / guitar
- Jérémie Ternoy / piano, Fender Rhodes
- Philippe Bussonnet / bass guitar
- Christian Vander / drums, piano, vocals 

Magma - Riah Sahiltaahk (2014)

RÏAH SAHÏLTAAHK is listed by most sources as a new studio album by MAGMA but it is in fact simply a re-recording of the first track of the same name from their second album "1001 Degrees Centigrades" which came out all the way back in 1971. This album clocks in at a mere 24:24 so no matter what it "officially" is, this is a freakin' EP in my book. This is one of those projects that makes you scratch your head and wonder why such a thing was necessary. To the casual listener there seems to be few differences between the two but a more careful inspection and repeated listens does yield some substantial changes. Just check out the lineup between the 1971 version and the newest of 2014.

1971 verison

- Christian VANDER : vocals, drums, percussion - Klaus BLASQUIZ : vocals, percussion - François CAHEN : acoustic & electric pianos - Francis MOZE : bass - Teddy LASRY : clarinet, sax, flute, voice - Jeff SEFFER : sax, bass clarinet - Louis TOESCA : trumpet

2014 version

Stella VANDER : vocals Isabelle FEUILLEBOIS : vocals Hervé AKNIN : vocals Benoît ALZIARY : vibraphone James MAC GAW : guitar Jérémie TERNOY : piano Philippe BUSSONNET : bass Christian VANDER : drums, vocals, piano

On the newer version basically we get no horns, more female vocals and a vibraphone. Also the production is quite different as well. The music is one continuous track on the original but only clocks in at 21:45 so a few minutes shorter. On the newer version we we get eight separate tracks that constitute the movements. The artwork is remnant of the original album as well only instead of duct tape grey it is a glimmering silver with the MAGMA emblem wrapped around the front and back instead of boldly displayed in full on the front.

This is story on the Seventh Records website: RÏAH SAHÏLTAAHK is the name of the Kobaïan who left after all the others, despite their disapproval. He thought he was better than anyone else and he was sure he could convert Kobaïa's enemies to the Kobaïan spirit. But he failed and left alone for Kobaïa. On the symbolic stop-over planet, Malaria, he has to face the raging elements he thinks he can dominate. With his ship almost sunk, he ends up begging them - to no avail. He will disappear. Drowned, swept away by the frenzied elements. After the noise? silence. At dawn, only a finally calmed remains, enlightened by the soft beams of the sun in this new day.

Honestly, I can't say I really like one thing better than the original. The first thing you notice on the new version is that the tempo is just a bit slower and the production is amped up which seems too beefy for some reason. The original version seemed to have more spontaneity and improvisation in the zaniness department. Absent are the blood-curdling screams and high pitched freakouts during frenzied time-outs from the main scheme of things. I actually really love the horn sections of the first two MAGMA albums and find that here Vander sounds like he is trying to MDK his earlier works. This just seems unnecessary to me as a fan, but as a man Christian Vander who has obviously been pining over re-releasing this for sometime just had to bring it to fruition. Now that he has I am dumbfounded by his decision to carry through when, to me at least, the original is the superior. I categorize this as indulgently unnecessary so I cannot give this the same five star rating that I gave the "1001 Degrees Centigrades" album, however this music even if inferior to the original is still completely enchanting and simply MAGMA-nanimous so to give it less than four stars would simply be a crime against humanity. I just hope this isn't the beginning of a trend to repackage the entire back catalog when MAGMA proves time and time again that as a musical outfit it is quite capable of releasing fresh and relevant music in the 21st century.Review from Progarchives.com

PLAYLIST LINK

Songs / Tracks Listing

 

1. Watseï kobaïa (4:40)
2. Di mahntër sahïltaahk (3:00)
3. Süri sï toïdo (3:31)
4. Ün zoïn glaö (3:10)
5. Ïss walomëhn dôm (2:25)
6. Bradïa ëtnah (2:24)
7. Môm loïlë (3:45)
8. Woleï (1:29)

Total Time: 24:24

Line-up / Musicians

 

- Stella Vander / voice
- Isabelle Feuillebois / voice
- Hervé Aknin / voice
- Benoît Alziary / vibraphone
- James Mac Gaw / guitar
- Jérémie Ternoy / piano
- Philippe Bussonet / bass

- Christian Vander / drums, voice, piano

Magma - Felicite Thosz (2012)

On this (hopely till know) not too much anticipated 2012 release of one of the most original and progressive bands of progressive rock history we get to hear a different side of Christian Vander's composition skills. In stead of creating a dark operatic en technical album, Magma returns with an angelic celebration of life. For some this might sound risky, but we've also seen Magma showing it's feel-good adventerious moods on K.A. and it worked out fine. The 'Felicite Thosz' suite should be regarded as being a single 28 minute lasting composition, but is devided in small pieces on the cd. With a total of 32 minutes of running time this 'album' could almost be regarded as being an EP, but whilst listening to the album it really impresses as a full-grown album. 'Les hommes sont venu' is an extra four minute minimalistic piece with an emphasis on female vocals choir arrangements with a very mystical atmosphere.

The instrumentation on 'Felicite Thosz' reminds me a bit of the Wurdah Itah period; with piano, vocals and drums beging the main instruments. Of course the bass guitar also plays a significant role and some electric guitar lines were well integrated into the compositions. At first spin I'm delighted when it comes to the production, it has more depth and sounds less dense then E-R' and K.A. The vocals sound more authentic and therefor are a great contribution to the liveliness of the record. The drums of Vander, whom I think of as my favorite drummer (next to Jaki Leibezeit), impresses with subtle new findings and great accents during up-tempo parts. His way of writing compostions from a base of very effective and complicated rhythms is also effective in this relatively optimistic album. The strong forwarded pulses and swing (though not recognisable as such) really get's the whole thing running like a well oiled machine. And yes, every Magma fan knows that Magma is gerantied to give away some moments of maximum intesive playing and grotesque larger- then-life sounding musical landscapes.

Conclusion. Yet another must-have Magma release for fans an perhaps the easiest entry into the band's discography to this date. The production is great, the compostion briljant and the album has a really postive, mysterious & adventerious mood that really cheers me up. Perhaps fans of the dark type Zeuhl will be a bit dissapointed, but they should try this album anyway. I'm giving four stars right now, but perhaps the album will grow on me some more.

* Edited. This is a masterpiece and therefore fully deserves the five star rating in my opinion. Review from progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing 

1. Félicité Thösz (28:06)

Ëkmah - 2:39

Ëlss - 1:11

Dzoï - 2:27

Nüms - 1:51

Tëha - 5:15

Waahrz - 4:03

Dühl - 1:19

Tsaï ! - 3:41

Öhst - 4:53

Zahrr - 0:49

2. Les hommes sont venus (4:18)

Total Time: 32:24

Line-up / Musicians

- Stella VANDER / vocals, tambourine

- Isabelle FEUILLEBOIS / vocals, bells

- Hervé AKNIN / vocals

- Benoît ALZIARY / vibraphone

- James MAC GAW / guitar

- Bruno RUDER / piano

- Philippe BUSSONNET / bass

- Christian VANDER / drums, vocals, piano, keyboard

LES HOMMES SONT VENUS

- Stella VANDER / vocals

- Isabelle FEUILLEBOIS / vocals

- Hervé AKNIN, Sandrine DESTEFANIS, Sylvie FISICHELLA, Marcus LINON / vocals

- Christian VANDER / keyboard, glockenspiel

Magma - Theusz Hamtaahk - Trilogie (2001)

Songs / Tracks Listing


1. Theusz Hamtaahk 1er mouvement : Theusz Hamtaahk (35:00)



1. Malaẁëlëkaahm

2. Sëẁolahẁëhn Öhn Zaïn

3. Diëümb Iëẁëlëss Dölëhn

4. Zeuhl Ẁortz

5. Gorutz Ẁaahrn'

6. Tü Lü Lï /ë Üi Dü Wïï

7. Sé Lah Maahrï Donsaï

8. Slibenli Dëh Theusz

9. Zortsüng



2. Theusz Hamtaahk 2er mouvement : Ẁurdah Ïtah (48:36)



1. Malaẁëlëkaahm

2. Bradïa Da Zimehn Iëgah

3. Manëh Fur Da Zëss

4. Fur Dïh Hël Kobaïa

5. Blüm Tendiwa

6. Ẁohldünt Miëm Dëẁëlëss

7. Ẁainsaht!!!

8. Ẁlasïk Steuhn Kobaïa

9. Sëhnntëht Dros Ẁurdah Süms

10. C'est la vie qui les a menés lá!

11. Ëk Sün Da Zëss

12. De Zeuhl Ündazïr



3. Theusz Hamtaahk 3er mouvement : Mëkanïk Dëstruktïẁ Kömmandöh (48:51)



1. Hortz Fur Dëhn Stekëhn Ẁest

2. Ïmah sürï Dondaï

3. Kobaïa Iss Dëh hündïn

4. Da Zeuhl Ẁortz Mëkanïk

5. Nebëhr Gudahtt

6. Mëkanïk Kömmandöh

7. Kreühn Köhrmahn Iss Dëh Hündïn

8. Da Zeuhl Ẁortz Ẁaïnsaht

9. Kobaïa



Total Time: 132:27
 
Line-up / Musicians


- Christian Vander / drums & vocals

- Klaus Basquiz / vocals & percussion

- Philippe Bussonnet / bass

- Benoit Widemann / keyboards

- Patrick Gauthier / keyboards

- Gabriel Federow / guitar

- Didier Lockwood / violin

- Stella Vander / vocals

Magma - Udu Wudu (1976)

This album is very different from the masterpiece, Mekanik Destruciw Kommandoh. The operatic vocals are not as prevalent on this album, although all lyrics are still in Kobaian. This was in fact my first Magma purchase, and I can safely say that this release got me interested in the rest of the discography. The musicianship and uniqueness is all there. Vander and company create a truly great work.

The album itself starts out with the title track, "Udu Wudu." This is probably one of my favorite Magma compositions because it is so different than the other things they have done. It is very ethnic, upbeat, and most definitely catchy. The next track, "Weidjore," recalls the earlier Magma style. The excellent musicianship is ever-present on this track. "Troller Tranz" is again much like earlier MDK period Magma. It has a haunting effect and some of the trademark Magma operatic vocal parts with some synth parts thrown in to the mix.

The next track, "Soleil D'Ork," is probably the most forgettable track on the album. However, it's not bad by any means, but a little repetitive. "Zombies" is another "ghost dance" and is similar to the other one on the album ("Troller Tranz"). However, it is a little more forgettable than "Troller Tranz." The last track is definitely the highlight of the entire album. "De Futura" is one of the best tracks in all of Magma's catelogue. It has a haunting affect much like the other tracks on the album with the signature sound of Top's bass and Vander's incredible drumming with various keyboards and effects thrown in. In the end, this track really does the album justice, making it a must for every Magma or Zeuhl fan.

I think that this is a great starting point for someone interested in Zeuhl. The album is much tamer than MDK and thus much easier to get in to. So, I think that this album deserves four stars because, while still an excellent listen, it does not stand up to the masterpiece standard set by Mekanik Destructiw Kommandoh

Songs / Tracks Listing

Side 1: 

1. Üdü Wüdü (4:10)

2. Weidorje (4:30)

3. Troller Tanz (Ghost Dance)(3:40)

4. Soleil d'Ork (ORK' Sun)(3:50)

5. Zombies (Ghost Dance)(4:10)

Side 2:

6. De Futura (18:00)

Bonus Track on Seventh CD:

7. Ementeht Re (extrait no. 2) (3:12)

Total Time: 42:22

Line-up / Musicians

- Christian Vander / percussion, vocals, piano, keyboards, drums

- Jannik Top / bass, Brass arrangements, vocals, synthesizer

- Klaus Blasquiz / vocals

- Stella Vander / vocals

- "Lisa" / vocals

- Lucille Cullaz / vocals

- Catherine Szpira / vocals

- Pierre Dutour / trumpet

- Alain Hatot / saxophone, flutes

- Bernard Paganotti / bass, vocals, percussion

- Patrick Gauthier / keyboards

- Michel Graillier / keyboards

- Benoît Widemann / keyboards

Magma - Emehntehtt - Ra (2009)

The latest offering from Magma since there classic "KA" album. Was it worth the wait? Well the answer is yes and no since this is not all new material and contains several pieces the ardent "Magma" fan will recognise.

Noticeably there "Emehntehtt - Re (extract 1) which appeared on there live "Hhai" album;"Rind-e which appeared on "Attahk";Emehntehtt-Re (extract 2) and "Zombies"  which appeared on "Udu Wudu": "Hhai" which also appeared on "Hhai" live.

Despite the mix of re-recorded previous material and the new, the whole album flows together very nicely. Stella and Christian Vanders vocals are predominantly featured with lots of choral vocals, which certainly reminds one of the more vocal parts of "MDK" and "Khontarkoz". There's also a similarity in style to "Vanders" "A Tous Les Enfants" which also featured lots of vocals and piano....as this album does.

A great album by "Magma" but somehow a little dissapointing when compared to there previous "KA" album, which was more varied and powerfull in my opinion, and hearkened back to there more classic period zeuhl style. If however you prefer the more vocal/choral lighter side of "Magma" you will find much to enjoy here for sure.


Favourite song is  Emehntehtt-Re III which is very intense with superb vocals drums and bass which are in typical classic "Magma" style venturing into mesmeric marching zeuhl avant RIO cosmic call and response . WoW!

An excellent album regardless of some of my own personal reservations  and especially  great though if your preferances  are for the more recent "Magma" style.  I have to say though on repeated listens this album really does grow on you. 




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Line-up :
- Christian Vander / drums, voices, piano, Fender Rhodes, clavinet, percussions
- Stella Vander / voices, percussions
- Isabelle Feuillebois / voices
- Herve Aknin / voices
- Benoit Alziary / vibraphone
- James Mac Gaw / guitar
- Bruno Ruder / Fender Rhodes
- Philippe Bussonnet / bass
with
- Emmanuel Borghi / piano
- Himiko Paganotti, Antoine Paganotti, Claude Lamamy, Marcus Linon and Pierre-Michel Sivadier / voices

Track List :
01. Emehntehtt-Re I - 6:53
02. Emehntehtt-Re II - 22:25
03. Emehntehtt-Re III - 13:06
04. Emehntehtt-Re IV - 3:54
05. Funehrarium - 4:19
06. Sehe - 0:27

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Magma – Floe Essi Ektah (1998)

Great "Magma" EP in similar vein to there "Offering" which displays a more lighter styled zeuhl. The vocals ( Stella Vander ) could have been brought forward a little in the mix but this is nevertheless excellent.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Floë Ëssi (2:58)
2. Ëktah (5:52)

Total Time: 8:50

LyricsLine-up / Musicians - Stella Vander, Isabelle Feuillebois, Bertrand Cardiet / vocals
- James Mac Gaw / guitar
- Emmanuel Borghi / Fender Rhodes
- Phillipe Bussonnet / bass

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