ARKANA TEMPORIS

4.5 stars. Another new Zeuhl band from France (keep them coming) that is impressing me big time. Of course Rhodes piano, chunky bass and dynamite drumming will do that for me. Some excellent guitar work here too,and our own Udi Koomran also mastered this album. We get four long tracks ranging from about 12 minutes to 15 minutes and one short 3 1/2 minute tune.

ACT I is divided into three parts. "Part 1" opens with lots of atmosphere as piano and guitar join in. It kicks in after 2 1/2 minutes with drums and guitar leading. The bass is excellent once this track settles in. Check out the guitar before 4 minutes ! Some female vocal melodies as it settles more.The vocals start to get more intense bringing MAGMA to mind. Male vocal melodies 8 1/2 minutes in as the sound becomes more upbeat. Great sound before 10 1/2 minutes as the guitar, bass, drums and keys dominate. "Part 2" is mellow with sparse piano then female vocal melodies. It kicks in as these contrasts continue.

"Part 3" has some killer bass on it as the tempo picks up quickly. The guitar is shredding the soundscape briefly a minute in (more later too). A calm before 2 1/2 minutes but it builds quickly with fat bass lines. Themes are repeated until we get these melancholic vocal melodies and sound after 6 minutes until it kicks back in at 13 1/2 minutes where it becomes very Zeuhlish. "Part 4" is mellow with female vocal melodies and sparse keys. It kicks in after 4 1/2 minutes as vocals continue. The tempo and mood continue to shift. Guitar before 10 minutes then it turns dark with outbursts of sound. ACT II "Part 1" opens with the piano playing slowly. Heaviness comes and goes until it stays after 3 minutes. It settles some 4 minutes in. It's building before 6 minutes followed by some nice guitar. Intense stuff and the bass is huge. The Zeuhlish vocals are back late.Nice.

Please check this album out and also XING SA's new one. Zeuhl fans should be hunting these two recordings down pronto.