MAGISTER DIXIT

One of the more obscure and confusing zeuhl acts of the modern day that no database seems to agree upon its releases, MAGISTER DIXIT emerged from the city of Toulouse in France sometime in the 1990s and released an EP as well as a self-titled debut but none of these early releases seem to be attainable which makes this a rather mysterious and elusive band that needs a Bandcamp site or some way to at least download its product. A few more elusive releases cropped up in the 2000s including this one CELLULE DE CRISE (Crisis Unit).

This mysterious Magma inspired zeuhl entity was founded by Stephane Marcaillou (guitar, vocals), Mélanie Fossier (vocals), Sophie Perret (piano, vocals), Bita Rezvannia-picot (violin, vocals), Jean-Pierre Albert (drums) and Stephan Garcia (bass) but like many bands that dip into the bizarre world inspired by Crhistian Zander, MAGISTER DIXIT offers a completely different spin to the whole jazz/prog/classical fusion shtick. While the band maintains a website it doesn't provide listening opportunities for its albums in their entirety.

This release CELLULE DE CRISE is listed as a promotional demo on most sites but strange that a demo was the last thing the band put out. Whatever the case it's a short one with only five tracks that add up to 28 1/2 minutes of playing time but what a wild ride this one offers. A veritable erratic journey through crazy time signatures, pulsing bass grooves, weird stentorian vocal accompaniments (both male and female) that weave in and out like a swarm of angry hornets and an unpredictable change of tempos that incessantly keep this extremely bombastic and fiery with the extra touch of the violin that adds a gypsy folk swing to the mix.

While the lyrics are in French they supposedly refer to a typical zeuhl fantasy fetish only not of some distant world but rather a universe of mythical beings such as fairies, witches and forest sprites, more in the vein of Lord of the Rings than Magma inspired Kobaia. The music ranges from mellow easy listening jazz-rock to brutal unhinged avant-prog infused zeuhl manic craziness. The music alternates between dreamy jazz rock and frenetic exuberant prog gymnastics that remind me a bit of some of Philip Glass' works like some of the speedy keyboard craziness from "Einstein On The Beach,"

Although it's a short ride, the mood swings between cheerfully ecstatic and dark and chaotic are some of the most extreme dynamics of any zeuhl band i've yet encountered and this one certainly wins the award of most bi-polar act that has emerged from France! This is probably way too wickedly wild for most casual zeuhl fans as MAGISTER DIXIT makes Magma sound like the soundtrack to Disneyworld in comparison but the album isn't a complete chaotic mess at all but rather offers a huge swatch of zeuhl inspired moments that the band personalizes by making everything just a bit off from what you're used to.

A crazy band that appeals to my wild side and one that i wish was easier to explore but the band's canon seems to be impenetrable as a whole which isn't exactly a good sales strategy at all. It seems this band dropped out of the scene as it hasn't been heard from for close to two decades and that's a shame because this is the kind of crazy prog that the hardcores crave. It's a dizzying ride through an incessant flow of wild time signature changes but despite the amazing dexterity of the band's musical abilities never loses the melodic flow. Impressive and disturbing at the same time! This will definitely appeal to this who love the chaotic approach Japanese zeuhl artists like Koenjihyakkei or Ruins.

— First review of this album —

One of the stranger zeuhl bands to emerge from France in the wake of classic Magma, MAGISTER DIXIT was formed in Toulouse, France sometime in the mid-1990s and remains a bit obscure and impossible to find its albums either in physical form or as downloads for that matter. The band features or perhaps featured Stephane Marcaillou (guitar, vocals), M'lanie Fossier (vocals), Sophie Perret (piano, vocals), Bita Rezvannia-picot (violin, vocals), Jean-Pierre Albert (drums) and Stephan Garcia (bass) who together crafted one of the wildest displays of zeuhl inspired fusion to be found. And that's really saying something coming from a very strange prog subgenre in the first place!

With the debut completely impossible to track down, the first listening sample of this wild and chaotic band (that i can find) is its second release ELDORADO, R', MI, FA, SOL, LA, SI, DO which was released in the year 2000 and featured a completely different style than its 2006 demo 'Cellule de Crise' (which is the one i experienced first). While that so-called demo features more of a strange hybrid of traditional zeuhl in the style of Magma only gone wild, this one features five distinct tracks that stand apart from each other substantially. A rather short playing time of just less than 30 minutes, ELDORADO offers less zeuhl purism than the band's usual style.

The opening 'Ler P'tits Archers' is a rather demented take on zeuhl with a frantic display of vocals that implement a bit of scatting with the classic zeuhl vocal style mostly delivered by Stephane Marcaillou with Isabelle Bagur offering a call and response as well as operatic wailing as the backing. When the track slows down they sing together. All lyrics are in French and deliver lyrical fantasies that narrate the tales of magicians, fairies, sprites, myths and monsters in the vein of a science fiction novel. While the frenetic pace reminds of Japanese bands like Koenjihyakkei or Ruins, the dreamy flutes are more from the D'n playbook but nothing lasts for long as the varying motifs shift from frantic to frenetic and then allow a breather or two. It's zeuhl run amok! But wait! There's more!!!

'Naufrage dans un Verre d'Eau' shifts gears and finds Isabelle Bagur starting the vocal tirade with frenetic time signatures, guitar freakiness and an oscillating bass drive. Marcalliou takes over the vocal lead and the two perform a wild operatic display of zeuhl brutality on steroids but then find moments of respite with actual singing and jazzy guitar chord strumming. The two also burst out lyrics at record speeds in total unison which is quite impressive. The 10 minute plus 'G'nie' is even stranger with a repetitive guitar riff that offers a sense of monotony while the two vocalists belt out lyrics at a frenetic pace. This piece delivers the perfect mix of French and Japanese zeuhl techniques perfectly fused into one. When the vocals stop the band delivers a crushing bass groove and noise-fest and then seamlessly mutates into a slower easy listening segment more in vein with classic Magma. At times it sounds like a record skipping!

The two part 'Les PIeds dan le Pl'tre' unsurprisingly features more crazy vocals however 'Part 1' only makes slight references to zeuhl and rather offers a rapping type of vocal style that engages in what is known as chanson alternative. The music itself is a chaotic jazzy mix with a catchy bass groove and avant-garde flute additions that keep to the melodic groove but also add some wild extras. The groove sounds a bit tropical, bossa nova even. The second part continues the basics theme, melody and gist although the guitar and bass go a bit faster as do the vocals. This is speed samba perhaps? It sounds Brazilian and i'm not sure which exact genre best describes it. This combo pack of these two tracks is a rather wild ride and an unexpected departure from the frenetic chaotic nature of the rest of the album.

It goes without saying that MAGISTER DIXIT is one of those acquired tastes that will only appeal to the hardcores out there who relish in brutal time signatures, unorthodox deviations and what many might consider a complete butchering of the classic zeuhl sound but for those who love a challenge then do give this one a go. It's completely different than 'Cellule de Crise' but clearly the same band as the idiosyncrasies are about as liberally unhinged as you can get. Generally speaking the French zeuhl and the Japanese zeuhl are two different beasts with the French version offering more sensual touches and the Japanese variety lambasting the listener with as much chaotic bombast as possible. In the case of MAGISTER DIXIT, both of these styles are implemented to craft a unique hybrid that i've never heard done before this way. Too wild and too uncompromising, this band will probably always be relegated to the obscurity bin but personally i love this wild adventurous freak-a-thon!

One of the earliest young modern ensembles to really commit to bearing the torch of Christian Vander's Zeuhl music. Too bad they gave up after this album.

1. "Endless" (5:58) sounds like Magma, just not as tight, not as focused--and singing in English (at first: the title word)! The tempos as expressed by the bass, drums, and vocalists seem scattered all over the place, as if the band were not all on the same page. There's a little of the spirit of COS vocalist PASCALE SON in the voice of lead female, Melanie Fossier. She definitely commands attention. (7.5/10)

2. "Les potits archers" (5:55) whoops! maybe I was wrong: This band can Zeuhl! Everybody seems to gel and relax into the music here. the weaves--both musically and vocally--are absolutely stupendous (except for the way lead male Stéphane Marcaillou's voice is recorded and expressed in the overall mix). Great comportment of the classic Zeuhl tension and great build to resolution. (9.25/10)

3. "De profundis II" (8:18) four voices establish a classic Zeuhl form before transitioning about three minutes in to a jazzed up variation of the same. Violin and Melanie present a new lead melody. Amazing Zeuhl scatting from Stéphane and Melanie in the final third of this slower Magma-like composition. Stéphane must have had some Klaus Blasquiz lessons! Great drumming. (18.25/20)

4. "De profundis III" (4:22) violin and Melanie present a new complex scat pattern, repeated over and over, while instruments below jazz it up. Melanie and the drums really impress. Again, I cannot help but make the Pascale Son comparisons. (8.75/10)

5. "La merveille" (3:57) a sedate, almost dreamy weave of three female vocalists with the guitar, bass, piano, and mostly-cymbals before Stéphane enters as the lead. When Melanie takes the lead, and is then joined by her two female compatriots, the music takes on an almost 1960s pop-jazz feel and style--and the vocal feels like a lullaby or children's rhyme! Unexpected and brilliant! (9/10)

Total Time 28:30

I have been really impressed with the compositional skills of this band and equally so with their performance skills. They really pull off a truly complete and complex Zeuhl album! The weak link is the bass player: he's no Jannick Top! The rest is pretty top notch MAGMA-esque Zeuhl!

B/four stars; if you're a lover of Zeuhl music at its finest, you will love this album. Definitely an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection. There is just something that, for me, is so magical about this album!

Review #77

Wow!! No reviews or rates to this album yet, what you've been missing, people!!

"Cellule de crise" is a short time record that could even pass as an EP with its scarce 28 minutes but believe me when I say it's worth to listen to it.

The MAGMA influence is undeniable; it's amazing how many bands (especially in France) have preserved the original Zeuhl style in their recordings and this unknown band is one of them. The hypnotic bass lines, jazzy drums, female chorus, incessant piano and sensual violins don't stop in these violent but yet beautiful short songs.

What I like the most about "Cellule de crise" is that the lyrics are in French and not in Kobaian, it's not that I don't like Kobaian lyrics but at least with French I can use a translator to understand them.

This is one of those lost in times gems that couldn't earn big popularity not even in a very little popular musical genre such as Progressive Rock, but really, if you enjoy old school Zeuhl as MAGMA, WEIDORJE, ESKATON, DÜN or EIDER STELLAIRE you're going to love this album.