Magma ~ France

Zühn Ẁöhl Ünsaï (1974 / 2014)

The problem with listening to Magma albums is that you have to find the proper time to do so. It's not like I wake up in the morning, and say "Gee, Magma would sound good with my coffee right about now". Especially their two CD efforts. And especially their two CD live archival albums, where you know much of the material already. So after a proper morning routine and some relative light listening, I was ready to tackle Wagner at the opera matinee. 

As with Soft Machine, Magma frequently changed lineups, so you might hear familiar compositions, but the interaction of the new members gives the sound a unique slant. Though in this case, you have one constant, the concrete pillar known as Christian Vander, so the deviations remain tightly controlled.

The concert opens with the relatively obscure 'Soẁiloï' before launching into a somewhat compact version of Mekanik. This rendition is a bit reckless, and the dynamics that make the studio recording so special, are missing here. CD 2 starts with 'Korusz II', essentially a showcase for Christian Vander to improvise on everything, but primarily drums of course. It's 20 minutes, so a slog for those of us looking for some compositional ensemble playing. The concert ends with a 25 minute version of 'Theusz Hamtaahk', a piece that did not make its studio debut until 2001. My introduction was via the Retrospektiw live show at the bottom of this post. I'm not really that familiar with the piece, like I am for Mekanik, so it still has a freshness to my ears.

Considering everything I already own from Magma, this live set is probably superfluous at this point. I'll hold onto it for a while, but I don't see it making the distance.

Ownership: 2014 Made in Germany (2xCD). Tri-fold digipak. Booklet with history and perspectives.

8/25/14 (acquired); 10/13/25 (review)

Attahk (1978)

No Genius Hans, everyone knows that Attahk is the worst Magma studio album of the 70s. Right? Well... I held that view myself - until recently. I'm really growing fond of this album. I kind of like its funky and compact nature. Great melodies too - it was a cool departure for the band. I enjoyed a +half star listen, and I'm actively seeking the LP out in the wilds. 

Ownership: 1990 Seventh (CD)

1988 (LP acquired); 2008; 11/30/14; 2/15/23 (review)

Kohntarkosz (1974)

One of the most frustrating albums in my entire collection is this one. Even though it's smackdab in the middle of their classic period - and it's highly rated by fans - I think it's their worst album of the 70s (well OK, not counting Inedits, but that one shouldn't count lol). It baffles me. Its predecessor is currently #12 in My 25 Most Important LPs list. The first album is #16. Magma Live is one of the all-time great live albums, and includes a large segment from this very album. Udu Wudu features the monstrous 'De Futura', perhaps their best track ever. But Kohntarkosz? Yea, I mean it's good for sure. It just seems dark and foreboding for its entire length. It misses the joyous melodies and insane climaxes of their other albums.

Ownership: 1993 Seventh (CD)

1986 (Celluloid LP acquired); 10/30/14; 2/15/23 (review)

Felicite Thosz (2012)

Sold? Sacrilege! You cry out. I know, I kind of feel the same way. Magma's discography isn't perfect though. All the same, most of their albums are first division, some at the very top of the pyramid. This album seemed more perfunctory than kinetic. Much of their post 2000 work has been terrific, some of the best music they ever made. Making this album that much more of a disappointment. This is the last album I bought by them.

Former ownership: 2012 Seventh (CD)

7/4/12 (acquired); 11/14/22 (review)

Magma (1970)

Magma's debut was my introduction to the band (in 1985). I guess I would have that in common with those that were buying new albums in 1970. And I'm sure their reaction was very similar to mine: What....The....F is this? Not only was the world of Magma completely foreign to me, but at that point in my life, I probably had less than ten continental European underground prog albums. I was determined to understand it. I played it over and over. It was almost impenetrable. I don't think I ever truly grasped what they were trying to do, until many, many years later. But at least I was intrigued enough to continue with the band, and as mentioned on the Mekanik review, I became a Zeuhl fan for life.

Even for Magma, it's clear they didn't really have a direction yet. It was Christian Vander's band, yes, but it was far more democratic than it was to become. The songwriting here is very disparate. Initially Magma was created as an homage to John Coltrane, and this is evident with tracks such as 'Aina' and 'Malaria'. The Magma of the future only truly showed up in Vander's compositions, like 'Kobaia', 'Aurae' and especially 'Stoah'. But jazz is still front and center to their sound, and one cannot help but notice a certain Zappa influence in parts, which was popular in the European underground in those days. Especially with the tightly written charts and melodic songwriting. There's even traces of horn rock here proving that, yes, Magma were a product of their day. But you have to start somewhere, and Magma did so with a bang. They would continue to shape their brand as it were, and ultimately become the icons they will always be - for eternity.  

Magma's debut is really not the place to start if curious about the band. But it remains one of my favorites by them, because it shows another side of their talent. It would have been interesting to see that flourish as well. They tried with Univeria Zekt, but they didn't take off as expected.

Ownership: 

1970 Philips (2xLP). Gatefold with flaps to protect the inner sleeve. Hard to imagine a crazy band like Magma to be afforded such a budget back in 1970, but such were the times back then. My copy is known as the "Chappell" version.

1988 Seventh (CD). Fat box with booklet showing the recording details.

1985 (acquired); 8/24/21 (review)

Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh (1973)

The most relentless album ever made. From the opening choppy piano notes and pounding rhythms, Magma lays down the gauntlet for their 3rd opus. They'd been fiddling with the formula since the beginning, and it's here that they (mostly) shed their jazz influences for one of classical and opera. With full choirs and a heavy brass section, along with lead vocalist Klaus Blasquiz going absolutely out of his mind, Magma pounds every sense you possess. Despite what sounds like a slog to get through, Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh is surprisingly melodic. It's a case study on how to use dynamics in what would otherwise be considered an oppressive environment. There's plenty of light touches throughout to build the mood and atmosphere. And all of this is done using their home baked Germanic Kobaian language. But what makes Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh special is not the constant buildup, but rather the most intense climax and release one can possibly imagine. After some 30 minutes of grinding, Magma goes berserk on the title track, burning everything down in flames. The subsequent finale expresses a post-apocalyptic world. Where everything is now in ruins. This is the Zeuhl masterpiece that inspired dozens of musicians worldwide - and for generations to come.

This was not the first Magma album for me to own (I lucked into the debut prior), but it was the one that convinced me I was to be a Zeuhl fan for life. I purchased this in the summer of 1986, long before I had a grasp on the European progressive rock underground. So yet again we have an album that shaped my tastes, rather than validated them. In fact, it took a full year to finally hit me. For my final semester in college (fall 1987) I was forced to live in an efficiency apartment. I didn't bring my stereo, just a Sony cassette boom box (which I still have!). I made a handful of tapes for these final four months, and this was one of them. There were days when this was all I would hear. It's almost impossible to believe that Herb Alpert's label would release something like this here in the States. We're a long way from Sergio Mendes.

Ownership: 

1973 A&M (LP). Gatefold. Inner gate has lyrics and English translations.

1989 Seventh (CD)

1986 (acquired); 8/23/21 (review)

Retrospektiw I-II (1981)

Hadn't heard this in 22 years - and recalled nothing about it. Well it's live Magma, so the surprises are about nil at this point. It's a spirited show, but pales against Magma Live Hhai, or even some of the released archival 70s shows that have come out in recent years. My score went down a bit, but still has to be considered essential for Magma fans.

Ownership: 1994 Seventh (2xCD). Fat box.

1998 (acquired); 9/21/20 (review)

Also own and need to review: 1001 Centigrades; Wurdah Itah; Magma Live; Udu Wudu; BBC 1974 Londres; Theusz Hamtaahk Trilogie; K.A.; Emehntehtt-Re 

Formerly owned: Inedits; Retrospective Vol. 3; Merci; Theatre du Taur; Bobino 1981

9/21/20 (new entry)