K.A (KÖHNTARKÖSZ ANTERIA)

This is the very promising comeback album of Zuehl and Avant-garde prog legend Magma, headed by composer/drummer Christian Vander. This concept album is the latest release of the Konterkosz triologie, but it's actually the opening momevent (with Konterkosz as a second and the 2009 release E-Re as the third piece).

When it comes to sound this album reminds me most of the Wurdah Itah album of 1975. The piano plays a central role, the arangments aren't too bombastic (no wind-section, relatively small vocal arrangements) and there's plenty of space for break-through rhythmical composition and adventerious atmospheres. The bass-guitar s distorted and the drums highly fanatic, just perfect. Magma is clearly recognisable, but it doesn't repeat it's old methods. There is more use of the guitar, the opening section of K.A III shows Magma playing a modern interpretation of fusion and some parts have atmospheres the band didn't play before.

Besides that, the album is also a rather positive sounding Magma record. From the three parts (K.A. I, II & III) of this 49 minute piece both K.A. I and K.A II sound rather encouraging and sympathetic, with some darker intermezzo's we wouldn't want to be without ofcourse. K.A III has many faces. The opening section evokes a feeling as if you were in some jungle, but when the great rhythm section starts (in a very odd time-signature) it becomes a slight dark, moody, repetitive but strong effort. I'm not too happy with the long digital moog solo, but the vocal arrangements on the end of this opening section are a real treat. The middle- section of K.A III is again a fairly positive and adventerious one, if rearranged it could almost fit in with 'normal' progressive rock. The long ending section (with the long Hallelujah secton) is a bit dissapointing for me. The instrumental parts are good enough for me, but when the continues Hallelujah vocals come in I loose interest. It's a pitty the very ending of this till then perfect album doesn't work for me.

Conclusion. I couldn't think of a band more welcome to join our 21th century progressive rock genre then Magma. Most come-backs are about finding balance between maturity and accepting bands can't always play as good as they did in the seventies. But not for ths band. Magma has become even better and their live performances are still perfect in every aspect today. This album proves that old material lying on shelves can be reproduced and finished and that the result is perhaps the best album of 2004 (though some might have difficulties with the Zeuhl genre). Four and a halve stars for this one.

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