yeah I'm not sure what a re-recorded "Riah Sahilttahk" would even be like, the original sounds great and it's a really tight composition, so I don't really know what can be done. but I'm glad they haven't forgotten about it
― Maggie killed Quagmire (collest baby ever) (frogbs), Wednesday, 13 August 2014 12:45 (nine years ago) link
speaking of jannick top, anyone ever hear utopic sporadic orchestra? or his solo albums? seems like infernal machina and soleil d'ork are his 'zeuhl' releases?
and echoing the felicite thosz love, wurdah itah comparison is spot on.
― original bgm, Wednesday, 13 August 2014 17:03 (nine years ago) link
Pretty much. Infernal Machine is newer and kinda like Zeuhl nu-metal... kinda gross but still cool. He sounds the same and the compositions are good! Just the production is questionable with lots of crunchy guitars.
Soleil D'ork is super good - an essential Magma single called Mekanik Machine combined with lots of demos of all his compositions from that time period if I remember right. Things like De Futura with Top playing every single instrument. Sound is a little rough but not bootleg-rough and it all hangs together pretty well, really! A lot of synth work. It's all very futuristic and sci fi. In case anyone has missed this monstrous little thing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s0TwBJ8gf0
Utopic Sporadic Orchestra is like a Magma big band with most everyone from the Magma universe and is pretty cool. I think the one CD I have is live; a 20 minute version of De Futura and a 20 minute version of another song from Soleil D'ork. Overall it is not too different from the VanderTop live albums, just denser!
― liam fennell, Wednesday, 13 August 2014 18:41 (nine years ago) link
awesome, thank you. big fan of "makanik machine" so I might start with soleil
magma big band also sounds exciting!
lol "zeuhl nu-metal"
― original bgm, Wednesday, 13 August 2014 18:54 (nine years ago) link
I've been playing Attahk a lot lately, there isn't anything else quite like this is there? Almost feels like Vander's playing drum n' bass back in 1978.
― Maggie killed Quagmire (collest baby ever) (frogbs), Friday, 12 September 2014 13:04 (nine years ago) link
Slag Tanz out Jan 27, here's an excerpt:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec1oFgi6hcU
― Dominique, Thursday, 20 November 2014 13:53 (nine years ago) link
oh wow
― J. Sam, Thursday, 20 November 2014 16:03 (nine years ago) link
http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/magma-150508/
Live in London May 2015! Other UK dates happening too I think.
― めんどくさかった (Matt #2), Thursday, 20 November 2014 16:35 (nine years ago) link
so, who's heard slag tanz?
can't imagine a magma fan wouldn't like it, I mean, the song IS pretty killer. but I do mean "song"... the whole album is about 20mins long! :-o
― original bgm, Thursday, 22 January 2015 02:41 (nine years ago) link
seeing you bump this thread and the Hosono thread at roughly the same time, I gotta ask: is it just me or is there a lot of overlap between the YMO and Magma fanbases? its not just ILX, it seems to be that way on last.fm, discogs, and RYM, even a lot of the music blogs I follow, am I crazy?
(and no, I haven't heard Slag Tanz, I'm just kinda surprised it's actually out!)
(also, can we use this bump to talk about the possible (or probable?) US tour dates!?)
― Abstinence Hawk (frogbs), Thursday, 22 January 2015 04:18 (nine years ago) link
don't really hear too many musical similarities there but those are two of all-time fave bands...
so, what's this about US tour dates??
― original bgm, Thursday, 22 January 2015 05:21 (nine years ago) link
Magma supposed to announce April US tour dates next week, but per their FB page:
The dates of april in north america will be definitely confirmed this week.North america April concerts: Dates and venues tbc next week.VancouverSeattlePortlandSan FranciscoLos AngelesChicagoBostonNew York City
― Dominique, Thursday, 22 January 2015 15:54 (nine years ago) link
anyone else gonna try for that Chicago date??
― Abstinence Hawk (frogbs), Thursday, 22 January 2015 16:10 (nine years ago) link
Maybe Kraftwerk are the glue between Magma and YMO - weird electro-pop on the one hand and crazy euro prog on the other.
From a prog message board :
Chicago is April 10, as I noted above, at Reggie's Music Stage in the south Loop. Show will be announced next week, and it will be held in the larger of the 2 ballrooms (Cactus is playing in the other at the same time. The mind reels!).
― めんどくさかった (Matt #2), Thursday, 22 January 2015 16:25 (nine years ago) link
Maybe Kraftwerk are the glue between Magma and YMO
hah, I like this theory
― original bgm, Thursday, 22 January 2015 17:58 (nine years ago) link
psyched for this tour, they're so great live!
― original bgm, Thursday, 22 January 2015 17:59 (nine years ago) link
Got mine today, starting listen #3 now. If you've heard the Epok V DVD version of this piece, I'd say the new version is pretty similar, if not *quite* as fiery. However, this also has the new middle section ("les silence des mondes"), and a new ending -- and obv things like vocal precision and general clarity is better here. IMO Slag Tanz is already a classic Magma piece, and if nothing else, this album (or EP, really) has me incredibly psyched about the future of this now-45 year old band.
― Dominique, Thursday, 22 January 2015 21:47 (nine years ago) link
magma are definitely in a very, very small circle of acts that can still crank out top-notch material this far down the line. and this aggressive too!! this one's a classic, for sure.
― original bgm, Friday, 23 January 2015 03:54 (nine years ago) link
I do wish there were more to the recording, but like with the last one, I just play it a few times in a row
― original bgm, Friday, 23 January 2015 03:56 (nine years ago) link
http://frenchculture.org/music/news/magma-tour-north-america#.VMgLpkSDM_g.facebook
― Wu-Tang Clannad (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 22:25 (nine years ago) link
yep, got my NY tix
― Dominique, Tuesday, 27 January 2015 22:26 (nine years ago) link
fuuuck i think i might have to go to the portland show
― languagelessness (mattresslessness), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 22:47 (nine years ago) link
slag tanz is excellent, i had no idea
― languagelessness (mattresslessness), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 22:49 (nine years ago) link
Yeah, it's really good!
― pelvic slang (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 28 January 2015 08:09 (nine years ago) link
While this isn't a "Classic or Dud?" thread, I'll just pretend it is...
Dud.
― You’re being too simplistic and you’re insulting my poor heart (Turrican), Thursday, 5 February 2015 02:00 (nine years ago) link
I mean, I love and have time for a hell of a lot of progressive rock (and prog-related) bands and fully embrace the overblown, over-the-top, pompous, masturbatory, so-ridiculous-it's-actually-sublime nature of the genre... but these guys are too ridiculous even for me.
― You’re being too simplistic and you’re insulting my poor heart (Turrican), Thursday, 5 February 2015 02:15 (nine years ago) link
What else don't you like? Can we get a top 5?
― pelvic slang (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 5 February 2015 03:15 (nine years ago) link
serious prog question btw
― pelvic slang (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 5 February 2015 03:17 (nine years ago) link
seconding that request
― Abstinence Hawk (frogbs), Thursday, 5 February 2015 16:10 (nine years ago) link
I only did one close listen, and a few background spins, to Slag Tanz and so far think it is just okay as a mini-album. GREAT live piece, though. I might be overexposed to it in that context, having caught it in concert a few years ago and having looked at EPOK V quite a bit. It is not really opening up any new and exciting Magma sound universes for me, at least not in the way something like Felicite Thosz continues to do. The jury is still out, though. I can imagine my opinion changing after listening to it really loud sometime!
Slag Tanz is, however, probably Vander's shining studio-recorded moment as a drummer. He is really killing it and firing on all cylinders! Those kinds of people interested in prog for the athletic aspect should dig the hell out of the thing!
Incidentally, I don't find Magma ridiculous at all! Well, maybe a little, but not in any way that detracts. Mostly I detect seriousness, 100% commitment to the concept and a little bit of humor when they incorporate a bit of James Brown and Stax/Volt R&B into the sound. I guess the concept is certainly inherently and undeniably ridiculous but the strength and intensity of the actual compositions and performances easily transcends that. Even on Merci! I fucking love Merci!
Also, Dominique, how do ya feel about the vibes player?! Does he totally take the band to a whole new level or what on the EPOK V dvd? He so thoroughly steals the spotlight for the new pieces that I can't imagine how they'd be without him. A secret weapon: not only a strong musician but also simultaneously a keyboard player AND a drummer! A perfect foil for Vander. I can't help but wonder if his inclusion a few years back is what ultimately kicked off this new cycle of works?
― liam fennell, Thursday, 5 February 2015 18:47 (nine years ago) link
I like Benoit Alziary on vibes, and when I saw Magma play a few years back (so far the only time, until April), he was one of the highlights. Agree that mallet percussion seems a great fit in Magma, and also happens to tie them a little closer to what I always thought was the non-rock counterpart to zeuhl, minimalism a la Steve Reich.
― Dominique, Thursday, 5 February 2015 23:44 (nine years ago) link
The non-rock non-Les Noces counterpart, you mean
― a drug by the name of WORLD WITHOUT END (Jon Lewis), Friday, 6 February 2015 23:28 (nine years ago) link
Lengthy interview w Vander from the LA Record in advance of Magma's show Monday.
http://larecord.com/interviews/2015/04/04/magma-christian-vander-interview
― Dominique, Wednesday, 8 April 2015 22:58 (nine years ago) link
Show in Seattle was absolutely fantastic. If anyone is on the fence, just go.
― Deverly (Bangelo), Wednesday, 8 April 2015 23:39 (nine years ago) link
Yeah, the Vancouver gig was mind-blowing. Incl. a large chunk of MDK, Kohntarkosz, side 1 of 1001 Centigrades...just go if you get the chance.
― everything, Wednesday, 8 April 2015 23:53 (nine years ago) link
kicking myself for not getting tix before they sold out here :(
― vyvyan vanse (clouds), Thursday, 9 April 2015 04:51 (nine years ago) link
Just got home from their SF show - 1:45 of towering, pulsating, transporting music. Setlist as far as I could tell was Kohntarkosz, MDK, Slang Tenz, Zombies.So glad I got the chance to see them.
― totally unachievable goals and no incentive to compromise (Sparkle Motion), Thursday, 9 April 2015 05:52 (nine years ago) link
SO GOOD
― Milton Parker, Thursday, 9 April 2015 17:13 (nine years ago) link
No merch table - guess you gotta earn one of those shirts
― totally unachievable goals and no incentive to compromise (Sparkle Motion), Thursday, 9 April 2015 19:27 (nine years ago) link
A guy who used to work at Rhino's store back in the day said the manager there owned a Magma necklace and kept it on display; he'd let the employees try it on but then they'd be obligated to wear it for their whole shift. Wish I worked there, man, I'd be Magmaing hard all day every day.
― ^^^ NOT METAL (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 9 April 2015 19:30 (nine years ago) link
without a doubt
― totally unachievable goals and no incentive to compromise (Sparkle Motion), Thursday, 9 April 2015 19:31 (nine years ago) link
i should go as xian vander for halloween this yr -- i have the crazyface for it already.
― vyvyan vanse (clouds), Thursday, 9 April 2015 19:47 (nine years ago) link
its killing me that they're in Chicago tonight and I won't be able to go
― frogbs, Thursday, 9 April 2015 20:21 (nine years ago) link
I mean it's a 3 hour drive through a tornado watch so it wouldn't be easy but damnit damnit damnit
Cool interview, thanks! Very, uh, expansive, ha. I never had a black and white dream but I have a friend who always dreams in b&w. Recurring dreams are strange as hell and so is the notion of astral traveling or whatever it is he's talking about!! Jealous of everyone who is going to see them this time around!
― liam fennell, Friday, 10 April 2015 14:14 (nine years ago) link
froggie, the show's totally sold out anyway so you'd brave the storm for nothing. :(
chicago iss nikt de hundin right now ;_;
― vyvyan vanse (clouds), Friday, 10 April 2015 14:46 (nine years ago) link
Decided to give Merci a chance last week. I'm glad I did. It reminds me a lot of the album they did as Univeria Zekt in 1972. Side 2 and "Otis" are really great.
― frogbs, Monday, 13 July 2015 13:14 (eight years ago) link
oh man, if you love Vander's scat singing, Offering is the band for you!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6_o-fsArzU
― frogbs, Thursday, 1 October 2015 14:15 (eight years ago) link
Listening to "Concert 1975: Theatre Du Taur" and man, what a version of "Kohntarkosz." Sound quality is fucking great, too, raw but you feel like you're sitting about 50 feet from the stage. Can we get a Dick Pick's style series of Magma live recordings, please?!
― jimmy falloff (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 7 October 2015 12:39 (eight years ago) link
Vander's Ganders
― jimmy falloff (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Thursday, 8 October 2015 18:14 (eight years ago) link