Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Magma - Christian Vander: Tristan et Iseult [Aka: Ẁurdah Ītah] (OST) CD (album) cover

CHRISTIAN VANDER: TRISTAN ET ISEULT [AKA: ẀURDAH ĪTAH] (OST)

Magma

 

Zeuhl

4.16 | 396 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

bartymj
4 stars Originally Christian Vander's soundtrack to a little known film Tristan Et Iseult, Ẁurdah Ītah is remastered and rereleased as part of the Magma canon these days - as a result of it being the key quartet of Christian and Stella Vander, Klaus Blasquiz and Jannick Top. As a result of the stripped back quartet, there is no guitar, brass or choir, but they still manage to generate the signature totalitarian melancholy marching feel of MDK, albeit a little softer without the guitar and brass sections.

Ẁurdah Ītah is the second part of the Theusz Hamtaahk (Time of Hatred) trilogy, released after MDK, the third movement. Set before MDK, where Nebehr Gudahtt provided the enlightenment that the Kobaians offered on their visit many years ago, Ẁurdah Ītah in Kobaian apparently means 'Dead Earth'. As with everything Magma, the plot should be open to interpretation. I personally see it as the Kobaians lookin on from afar at what we humans are doing to the planet Earth and expressing their displeasure but also slight empathy. But there are a thousand other ways to interpret of course!

It's less repetitive than MDK in terms of its rhythms and chanting, and is probably the best example of Magma's more melodic lyrical style, and I would place it slightly ahead of MDK in my personal tastes, and definitely as another entry point for Zeuhl style.

bartymj | 4/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this MAGMA review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.