1001° CENTIGRADES [AKA: 2]

At the end of Magma's first album, a group of Kobaians agree to travel to Earth to pass on their wisdom and help save the planet. The plot states that the party arrive on Earth, receive a friendly welcome, and tell various stories of the growth of civilisation on Kobaia, and their philosophy on purification and spiritual enlightenment. This is likely the plot of the first half of the 21 minute opening track which is relatively upbeat and curious in parts. However, after telling the story, the Kobaian ship is impounded and the party imprisoned, as the title track takes a more ominous sounding tone, but they are able to communicate with their home planet and a message for rescue is sent, signified by the appearance of the shrieking vocals that ended the previous album as the travellers left Kobaia.

A rescue party is scrambled and travels to Earth. They offer an ultimatum to Earth, release the imprisoned Kobaians or face destruction at the hands of Kobaia and the ultimate weapon. This track is obviously a lot darker, with some quite minimalist sections as the tension builds. The second track ends in suspense with a ticking clock, signalling this dark ultimatum.

The release happens, and the angered Kobaians vow never to return in the opening to the final track. However those on Earth that they came in contact with and were not responsible for their imprisonment, are inspired by their visit, living by Kobaian ideology and preserving it for future generations.

Compared to the debut album, Magma's follow up sounds a fair bit more Zeuhl-y, although in upbeat sections still very much a Coltrane tribute. There are some elements of the authoritarian marching rhythm and repeating chanting vocals, but still without the operatic female vocals of Mrs Vander. This is one of my favourite Magma albums, particularly for its position as the transitional album from their mostly pure jazz debut, and the major leap into Zeuhl style in the next album MDK.