DARK SHOT

Three of the four members of this band have a Zeuhl background as they all have played in MAGMA. I'm talking about James Mac Gaw-guitar, Emmanuel Borghi-keyboards and Philippe Bussonnet-bass. Daniel Jeand'heur is one of my favourite drummers as well. He played on AMYGDALA's latest and was simply outstanding. This is truly a band effort as 3 of the 4 members composed 2 songs each, and Mac Gaw composed the other one. These guys are truly brilliant musicians who play a heavy, dark and atmospheric brand of Jazz that I cannot get enough of. This band is one of my top ten of all time favourite bands, which for me really speaks volumes about how I feel about them.

"Black P" is a Bussonnet composition and one of my top three songs on here. The way it opens with the dark keys and bass really brings MAGMA to mind before a full sound takes over quickly. Some feedback from Mac Gaw's guitar as the bass chugs along. Borghi becomes more prominant on keys before 4 minutes. Nice. Incredible sound before 5 minutes. I just can't praise this song enough. "Opus 12" is a Borghi tune. Keys not surprisingly lead the way in this more uptempo song. Again I just love the sound. Bussonnet is a genius on bass. This one is more jazzy than the first track. The tempo slows down 3 minutes in as James solos on his guitar. Philippe takes over on his bass after 5 minutes. "Def MK1" is Daniel's song. This one is darker and slower with keys and bass standing out, although the drums are active they are light at this point. The song gets heavier after 4 1/2 minutes. Great sound. Some angular guitar 6 minutes in starts to rip it up as Bussonnet offers up slabs of heavy bass. Check out the drumming 8 1/2 minutes in !

"Blade" is a Bussonnet composition and the shortest track at just under 5 minutes. It opens with a dark atmospheric soundscape as cymbals clash and keys come in. It ends as it began. A very cool song. "Automate" is Borghi's tune. It opens dramatically.This has a sinister vibe to it as the deep molten bass comes in and drums pound at a mid pace. Keys arrive as haunting guitar sounds come and go. Borghi starts to take a more prominant role before 4 minutes. Themes are repeated. "Downwards" is Mac Gaw's track and one of top three. The guitar fortunately takes a big role in this one. We get a nice heavy backdrop as James just lights it up throughout the 9 minutes. Amazing ! "Nosh Partitas" is Daniel's second tune. Great drum intro as it then settles down quickly as keys and bass take over. Incredible sounding guitar 2 minutes in as it grinds away before turning angular. Keys take over a minute later. The bass is just throbbing.

So hard to pick between this one and their earlier masterpiece "Ewaz Vader". By the way this one comes with a fantastic DVD of them playing in concert earlier this year. With Jannick Top's new record, and this new one from ONE SHOT I feel that 2008 has already been a huge success.