K.A (KÖHNTARKÖSZ ANTERIA)

K.A. strikes the best balance between atmospheric build-up and strong musical ideas of any album I have heard. Everything is crystal-clear, much clearer than any other Magma studio release. Still many intense moments, but the sound is more conventional and should be accessible for most proggers. Everything is impeccable from about 4:00 into K.A. II to the end - which is over half an hour of music. The latter sections of K.A. II have a New Age feel that makes for ethereal background music. Close listening reveals carefully chosen piano chords, the sublime fluidity of Vander's drumming, and the expression of pure joy from all the singers. Truly beautiful music on superficial and deeper levels. K.A. I starts out with a definitive Prog feel that creates a jungle-like atmosphere. Borghi's Moog-work is always interesting. 9:00 to 16:00 feature interesting, forward-moving choral work which involves the listener just as strongly as the best passages on MDK. Those are my favorite parts; you must buy this album anyway, so form your own opinions on the rest.

K.A. deserves five stars for several great musical ideas, flawless execution, and uniqueness. More conventional than MDK or Kohntarkosz, but certainly accomplishes everything the band set out to do. I can't choose between the three studio albums, though K.A. does not quite match the other two live.