KÖHNTARKÖSZ

I have a special place for this recording in my collection even though I am not a huge fan of Magma, perhaps because I never bothered to check out the entire catalog. Maybe I should. I still remember admiring Christian Vander both for his amazing talent but also for creating a language which is truly a progressive statement . I also love the cover art , probably among the top 10 ever printed. Magma's music is certainly not for the faint of heart or lovers of saccharine melodies (which explains Hugues ratings) . In fact, their artistry is at the polar opposite, where fiery intensity and smouldering rythms combine to take the listener into a hellish sweltering forge , well beyond the lower depths of rock music. Led by a manic drumming legend, Magma is a volcanic fusion of Wagnerian fury, best expressed on this masterpiece, propelled by the develish rumble of Jannick Top's bass guitar and hissing massed vocals that give a "Carmina Burana" feel to the compositions. Pounding e-pianos, steely organ, sulfurous guitar leads all blend with the ultra dynamic rythm section to create a vortex of swirling vertigo that would soundtrack any sci-fi alien movie to perfection. To get a proper feel , try this sample of liner notes from "Ork Alarm": "The people of Ork are marching upon us . The people are made of indescribable matter which to machines is what the machines are to man. The alarm is sounded...ORK ALARM! The people of Zeuhl Wortz are preparing for battle". Pheww!! How can you Top that (no pun intended) . Now that you have been warned, there is only one course of action... 5 eruptions