CONCERT 1976, OPÉRA DE REIMS

Although there's no question that this is a great value set, to the point where I really can't give it less than three stars, I don't think this is necessarily the best Magma live album, and certainly doesn't present the best live versions of MDK., Theusz Hamtaahk or Kohntarkosz. The versions presented here sound a little sparse, presumably due to the lack of full choir, and I also have to take issue with Vander's half hour drum solo track - a tedious piece in which Vander indulges in every tiresome excess known to the 1970s classic rock drum soloist.

If you like Magma enough that the idea of a half hour Vander drum solo has you excited, this one's a no-brainer for you. For everyone else, I'd suggest that there are better starting points for exploring the Magma live experience.