One Shot ~ France

Ewaz Vader (2006)

---1/25/07

Like the Academy Awards, when it comes time to nominate the Oscars, Gnosis also has a bias towards certain types of art. And in this context One Shot is definitely "Academy friendly". Gnosis likes either a) the avant progressive school, mixed with a little chamber or original RIO movement (Cuneiform label adds points), or b) we like vicious and complex instrumental fusion. If you can put a Zeuhl spin on it, or even better, possess a Zeuhl heritage, then you win the "best of the year" award. So it's easy to see why Ewaz Vader is running away with the 2006 title. It's a can't miss release with the throbbing bass action expected of Zeuhl music, pulverizing drums, and dual guitar / keyboard soloists. The first few bars had me thinking this might go into the stratosphere ratings wise. But, like the name implies, One Shot is not the type of band to lock into a groove and edit later for more impact. So there's a tendency to run a little long in different places. One Shot are no doubt an A-list group and they're likely to be appreciated by everyone, thus their place at the top. But for individual self-actualization, I'm not sure they have the right stuff for the next layer.

---1/19/26

I closed the debut review below with: "I own three others by them, hopefully they're more interesting to me." And I just finished reading my own review from 19 years ago, almost to the day (which was also my last listen). 

Unlike the debut, the Zeuhl presence is more felt here, as noted in the bass and drums interplay. Even still, I'd submit this is jazz rock first, Zeuhl second. It's hard to root against One Shot, as they have the right sound, the right textures, the right attitude, the right focus, and the right energy. However there is this nagging feeling of sameness that runs through its course. And the "tendency to run a little long in different places" was an accurate assessment. 54 minutes of hard instrumental fusion is a lot, man. This is a title I will hold onto until I can revisit the other two I own, and we'll see what is the most representative and exhilarating. It may very well be Ewaz Vader or all three. That story has yet to be written though. Stay tuned for further episodes, however many years it may take.

Was I right about Gnosis or what? Well you can't see the ratings now, but yea, it was winning when I wrote that. Probably was still in the top spot for 2006 when it shutdown. As for best in their discography, ProgArchives prefers this one whereas RYM goes with the follow up Dark Shot.

Ownership: 2006 Le Triton (CD). Contains a bonus 14:21 video that I have yet to see.

1/25/07 (acquired / review); 1/19/26 (update)

One Shot (1999)

This is the original mix. I bought this when it came out as it promised to demonstrate what the current Magma lineup were doing on their off days when Vander wasn't around. Well it isn't Zeuhl, but rather a heavy kind of instrumental jazz rock similar to the 70s masters. It's well done with excellent instrumentation and sound. However it's very derivative lacking any kind of hooks, composition, or innovation one would look for at this late date. It's a One Shot jam essentially, which was the premise of the group to be fair. This one really is too much of the same thing. A lot of notes but not a lot of music. I own three others by them, hopefully they're more interesting to me. 

Former ownership: 1999 private (CD)

1999 (acquired); 4/30/23 (review)

Also own and need to review: Vendredi 13; Dark Shot

1/19/26 (new entry)