VAK - Budo. 2018 France

On VAK's (stylized as such, though it doesn't appear to be an acronym) 2 EP compilation debut, I wrote: "VAK blossoms from the Eskaton branch of the Zeuhl tree". For VAK's formal debut Budo, it almost seems like a different band. In some ways it is, as there's been quite a bit of personnel change. I'd also mentioned Dun as a reference, and that too is missing - along with the flute that made the comparison. So from that standpoint, Budo is a bit of a disappointment, as they were onto something entirely unique prior.

Or is it a disappointment? Not for hardcore fans of Zeuhl like me. You give me 2 tracks of over 50 minutes of pure Zeuhl, I'm going nowhere. They definitely moved closer to the center of the movement, that of Magma. It's more plodding than the mothership though, and could be called "dense" at times. I was struggling with comparisons throughout my multiple listens. It doesn't have the brass or groove of a Weidorje, but it does have that type of gravitas. And it's certainly not noisy like Shub Niggurath, though again the heavy atmosphere is there. Maybe Jean-Paul Prat is the closest I can get here. So... even though they moved back to the main tree stump of Magma, I think VAK have indeed continued to create something unique.

Ingredients of their sound include the usual Rhodes, synthesizers, and pounding drums. The bass is more foundational than driving, so that's one departure from the norm. There's also wordless female vocals, not abrasive, but also not distinctive enough to move the needle. 'Hquark' does possess a few moments of that familiar Eskaton groove, so they haven't completely given up on their initial direction. And that leads us to 'Au Fond des Creuses', the "short" track at 8 minutes, where they reintroduce the guitar and flute, and brings us back to the greatness of Aedividea. So yes, a 4 star album for certain. And I'm sure future listens will reveal more.

At this point, VAK are one of the leading lights of the current Zeuhl movement, a tad behind Corima perhaps, but ahead of the rest of the pack by a good mile.

Ownership: CD: 2018 Soleil Zeuhl

2/16/19 (new entry)

VAK - Aedividea. 2015 France

The palindrome named Aedividea CD combines VAK's first two EP's (2012/2014 - minus one track 'Rheet') into one splendid Zeuhl offering. VAK blossoms from the Eskaton branch of the Zeuhl tree. And any time that great band is even whispered as an influence, Magma fans everywhere should be rushing out to obtain their very own copy. And the abundance of flute gives off more than a whiff of Dun. Wow, this is the good stuff right here. Another great find from the specialty label Soleil Zeuhl!

Ownership: CD: 2015 Soleil Zeuhl

12/2/15 (new entry)