Sorry again Bryan for the abrupt ending! The next part's beginning is sick too, but couldn't wait for album reactions to have you check out this band! As the comments have stated, this is sung in a made up language called Kobaian, created by the drummer and main composer, Christian Vander (he was also the one with the vocal solo in the first part of the track which I fucking love, such a talented human). They're a french band (at least mostly) and you can tell the language has some French and German influences. I know there's some attempts at deciphering the language but I haven't delved into them. This band is indeed from the 70's and were the originators of a unique genre called Zeuhl. Don't really have an explanation besides it's bands that sound like Magma lol. There are definitely some other great bands like Dun, Eskaton, and Universal Totem Orchestra. This album is actually from 2009 though if you'd believe it. They came back in 2004 after disbanding in the early 80's. They're still occasionally releasing stuff and released an album last year. It's insane that they're doing what they're doing at their age. There have been a lot of lineup changes though with some younger members recently. Christian's wife Stella does the female vocals too which is awesome! Christian Vander has stated one of his biggest influences was John Coltrane so that's where the jazz comes in for sure. Think that's all I got for now thanks again for the reactions, I promise if I add anything else to the $10 list it won't be a slow burn and will be less than 20 minutes lol. Glad people in the comments seem to be liking such unique music too, this community is amazing!
@@Cynips Damn I didn't know they were divorced. Just assumed with the same last name that they were still married but never looked into it. Regardless, it's great they're still playing music together and that must mean they're still on good terms, unless it was a very recent divorce that is.
@@philippegindre5897 Never said that. The thing is, their lists are almost always bad. Have you seen their top 100 songs list? Cant take that seriously... Why are you so pressed?
I was quite surprised to hear that you consider this specific piece of music as something to hear while doing something else, as opposed to something you can/must carefully listen to. In fact, this is probably one of my favourite pieces by Magma and I’ve listened to it countless times. But every single time I listen to it I feel like I can’t do anything else because I find it so compelling, so demanding. I really feel like I’m missing something if I don’t pay as much attention to it as I can. That’s the way I’ve always felt about, ever since I listened to it for the first time.
I experience Magma two different ways. First, you let you get submerged by the trance and you let it go, lost by rythm changes but feeling good. The other when you start engaging with the song you take it as an enigma song you try to decrypt and master. You try to understand the architecture of it. And when you master it, can sing, can anticipate the breaks and variations, the different layers of it, you feel like empowered on top of transported.
By a time, I used to wake up with Köhntarkösz :-), a piece I knew by heart so completely, with every details engrammed in my mind, that I could "play it, hear it" mentally by a mix of reconstruction and memory. What was a bit hard and unsettling at the beginning changed by years to something evident, logical and even... necessary :-). Some moments were broken rhythms and harmonies eventually reached the status of perfect groove, singable, dancable.
Magma is all about the slow burn and build. Waves of sound. One of the most unique and iconic bands ever. The language was developed by Christian -Kobian. Magma always had monstrous bass players.
zeuhl !!!! La musique céleste n’a pas terminé de voyager. Hier j’étais à Vitrolles en France où j’ai pu assister à un concert de magma une nouvelle fois ce fut tout Bonnement génial !!! Christian Vander n’est plus tout jeune et pourtant son concert a encore été fantastique d’énergie. Salutations de France.
j'avais prévu d'y être, empêchement de dernière minute. J'ai vu Magma enormément de fois, je ne compte plus... La meilleure, sans aucun doute, au théatre toursky à Marseille en 1977, la formation avec Yanick Top, Didier Lockwood... Un concert monstrueux où personne n'arrive à décoller de son fauteuil 20mn après que les lumières se soient rallumées. se prendre une claque, on a compris ce soir là ce que ça signifiait ! Je n'ai plus jamais vu ni ressenti une chose pareille.
Bryan "I think I would enjoy this more if I understood the language". Magma fans: "LOL!" The language is made-up stuff called Kobaian. There's definitely bits of Dutch and assorted romance languages in there, so you can often vaguely make out some of it. Magma is one of those bands where if you just read about it, you kind of roll your eyes and assume it's going to be insufferable and pretentious. Then when you listen, it's joyous, jazzy, and just loads of fun.
@@CriticalReactions The story of most Magma albums is some kind of Science Fiction epic involving refugees from earth settling on a new planet Kobaia. It's not necessarily a strict language, as a lot of it is basically scatting (as you said). But parts of it have meaning that can be extracted. There are lexicons that have been cobbled together by fans, with some help from Christian Vander who wrote the stuff. I can't say I've ever tried to take a deep enough dive into the lyrics to say more than that.
Vander's relatives on his grandfather's side were of German and Polish origin, so in the childhood he often heard speech in German and Polish, but didn't understand it. That's why Kobaïan sounds as a mix of Germanic and Slavic languages.
Also check out: Dun, Weidorje (sp), Zao, One Shot (mostly fusion played by Magma's guitarist, bassist and keyboardist), Eskaton (first album ONLY, recorded entirely on 4-tracks), and any number of Japanese Japanese Zeuhl bands: Koenjihyakki, Bondage Fruit, etc. Zeuhl and prog still rule in Japan!
@@davidhewitt9412i highly recommend Bubu and their album anabelas, Bubu is an argentinian rock band heavily influenced by magma, king crimson, Zappa, and many others!
"That bass is going wild!" Phillip Bussonett, a monster talent who is always going wild. Magma is a band like few others- huge rhythm and repetition, less melody, astonishing drumming, vocal lines and bass playing. The record of ER is much lighter than when it is played live- when all hell breaks lose in the big Zombie section (of ER II), and All of it in Vander's made-up language. Check this out for a better view of them in full flight: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QTucmvIEbbg.html Pay attention to the drumming toward the end, and the bass playing.
About understanding the language, I recently listened to a Vander interview who said Kobaian is just like saxophone, you don't get the language of the sax but you understand what it says... same goes with Magma's kobaian... voices are just used as instruments
It's interesting that you mentioned it had a "70's prog" feel, because that's when Magma was from, and though this album came out in 2009, I think, most of the composition actually dates back to the 70's. In fact, two sections of the piece that you listened to were actually released on their back in the 70's. And I'm glad you noted the drumming, because Christian Vander is one of my favorite drummers. His father was actually a well known jazz pianist in France, and one of his friends was Elvin Jones, who gave a young Christian some tutelage.
Zeuhl!!! These guys are absolutely phenomenal & Christian Vander especially is such an insane Drummer/Composer. I saw Magma live several years back (they played my favorite album of theirs 'Mëkanïk Dëstruktïẁ Kömmandöh' in its entirety) the man was in his 60s & still a beast on the kit! They pioneered a musical style known as Zeuhl that's a fusion of early Prog Rock, Jazz-Fusion & Opera. There's some pretty cool bands like the Japanese group KoenjiHyakkei (featuring the great Prog Rock drummer Tatsuya Yoshida) & Russian group Syncopated Silence that are worth checking out if you'd like to try a more modern take on the genre
I need to give it multiple listens but being a prisoner of the moment this was a freaking masterpiece. Assuming this song represents the rest of their work they will definitely sit top 3 in prog bands for me and of the classic prog songs that have been reacted to on the channel so far its sitting right behind close to edge. I really wish I could solo each track in the song cause it feels like there are so many layers of genius that you could learn so much from, on every instrument. The section where the vocals were at the front for a while reminded me of sitting in during classical music festival and listening to operatic pieces in languages I don't speak. Just so much emotion and narrative feel through the dynamics. Although I'll be honest my favourite spot had to be the closing jazz sections as expected. Just gotta love high level jazz playing. As far as the length and build ups, there were maybe 1 or 2 times I found myself mildly bored but then I'd just change focus to some other instrument and get blown away. Of all the slow burn songs thus far definitely far and away my favourite.
If you want to see them live, their concerts have been " displaced" in late 2021 for their 50th anniversary that should have been yet. There's not that much psyche/fusion/prog/whatever band who can say "our first album was in 68 and we are still touring", and less fewer of that level. SO there's still is a chance for you to see that miracle live before the apocalypse. I've already seen them numerous times, enjoy and take your turn to the magma spiral of joy.
I saw them live several times; it is a real spiritual experience. There is one concert I especially remember. Drummer Christian Vander at first only sang and played piano, and some other member of the band sat at the drum kit. Then they swapped seats, and suddenly the drums were double as loud; Vander just bashes the skin so hard. At some point Vander started playing a drum solo. I looked at my watch then because I wanted to know how long the solo would be. It went on and on and on. When he finally finished his solo 45 minutes had passed. The most amazing about this solo was however that not a second of it was boring.
Great to see someone react to Magma. Saw them live 10 years or so ago, and it is probably the best concert I've ever been to. Definitely recommend you check out a live video or two (not necessarily as a reaction), their energy is something else.
That's the point! I'm like a musical spelunker, slowly digging my way through this music mountain. And all of you have so delightfully decided to join me :)
Yeah, the problem with playing E-Re II in isolation is that it's actually continuous with E-Re I and E-Re III. The final notes continue in the next piece. Not something to judge the band on, but the selection.
Earlier this year, I was lucky to get tickets for me and my brother to watch Porcupine Tree at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester, UK. I was delighted to discover that Magma were the support, and they were absolutely fantastic! Man, this song at 22:00 was incredible... Need to see if you've done more Magma?! Never heard about your 1/2 attention giving the art a disservice comment before, and totally that's a good thought. 3 years on, do you still feel the same? No way, you only did one Magma track!? - Please do 'De Futura' if you revisit Magma
I could have sworn I had done 2 tracks from them but maybe I'm getting them mixed up with another band. I'll have to revisit them sometime next year then since I enjoyed them.
I saw Magma in the 70s. Amazing concert - the drummer and main man, Christian Vander, at the front of the stage, eyes rolling to the back of his head as he played. I prefer their earlier work, especially with the amazing Jannik Top on bass and Klaus Blasquiz on vocals. "Mekanik Kommandoh" is great. The earlier works were heavier - if that's the right word.
Just see the joy in the singers! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FlJKKtgreqw.html or this amazing performance ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NoZIXPvHPoY.html ETA I'm listening to the whole video and I'm transported to my youth. Words fail me. This is not background music. This is take me down the river. This is blow my head apart. All these years later and just WOW!
Would have suggested Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh but it's too bad it's split up into multiple tracks and no single track on its own stands out. Love their earlier works too: MDK as stated, Kohtarkosz and Wurdah Itah. But their new stuff especially Emehntehtt-Re and K.A. are just as good.
@@jeannettesimpson9778 well i played Magma (my arrangwments) here in my country for two years with a band of 8 and we had that same joy, had a blast doing that in the 09-10's!
i love this piece named originally as "Haih" Magma turning Mahavishnu with Didier Locwood on violin at the Tavern (album Live) the second part is "Zombies"
I'm debating whether I want to listen to this now or wait. Magma is high on my list of bands I want to check out and, if possible, I generally prefer to listen to bands first before I hear reactions, though I don't mind listening to reactions for bands/artists that aren't on my radar to see if they're worth checking out.
These were the offers of this ancient wild world : live, share, take care, have fun and live together. Unfortunately, we were so focused on the change of era that we did not have the time or the awareness to organize us. We looked at the world as a rocket in the sky and gave caution to journalists politics and operettas’ musicians to free us. However the spirit is still there, waiting to be recognized and conscious again and again until it is everywhere in elevation to the Paradise of Utopians and other unconscious dreamers🌠🕊️
It is really a shame that you didn't listened to only the first 30 seconds of the next track right after.... That transition is absolutely phenomenal, and the buildup is far from over...
I didn't see to many mention this, but the drummer and vocalist are the same person, hence the restraint on the drums while the vocals are happening! Christian Vander definitely has some great vocal chops AND drum chops!
The primary singer for the first half of the piece is Christian Vander, the drummer of the group. Honestly amazes he was in his early 60s when Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré album was recorded. Though the actual material is mostly from the 70s, it only got a studio album in 2009.
Oh if you wanted to see how they perform this part live. This is them 15 years ago with a bit of different lineup. No vibraphones this time. vru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bYrHNLXwGe0.html
Saw them a couple of years ago. Fantastic! Think they did at least this whole album. And sound quality was really good, so you could hear everything. And it was never boring or slow! :)
Speaking of the open-mindedness and avant garde, I'd suggest Thinking Plague - Possessed. I'm sure this will be an experience. No slow burning, in general, but a lot of compositional and improvisational concepts. Definitely on the rare unrepeatable bands.
how could this video get past me? I love Magma and always seek for you reacting to them.. wow. Most of their discography is about the story of the planet Kobaia. There are two big trilogies named "Theusz Hamtaahk Trilogy" and "Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré Trilogy". The first one contains three movements: Theusz Hamtaahk (from Retrospektiw 1-2), Wurdah Ïtah and Mëkanïk Dëstruktïw Kömmandöh, all material from their albums from the 70's. The second trilogy also contains three movements: Köhntarkösz Anteria (K.A.), Köhntarkösz and Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré. All material written in the 70's and 80's but the material of K.A. wasn't released as an album until 2001. Same with Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré (2009). But this material was always played live decades before release with variations. Then there is the epilogue of the story, called "Zëss" (le jour de néant) where everything comes together in a last bang. Zëss was released as an album in 2019 (contains a single 38 minute song) but it was written and also played live in the 80's. Zëss is the end of the whole story that Christian Vander wrote for decades and fans expect that this was the last release from Magma. Magma is very complex and it's Vanders lifework. With Magma he created a big work of art which finally came to an end after 40 years. Christian Vander loves Carl Orff and John Coltrane btw. Check out other Zeuhl-related or Zeuhl influenced bands like Weidorje, VAK, Bondage Fruit, Koenji Hyakkei, Dai Kaht, Dün, Eskaton, Setna, Eider Stellaire, Rhun, Shub-Niggurath, Scherzoo, One Shot... there's a whole universe to explore. :-P
Magma is all about counter-time. It takes multiple listens to make sense of it all. You should really listen to the whole album. Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré itself is the last part of a trilogy (K.A., Kontarkohz, Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré)
So amazing that I got to see their first performance on my native soil. Zeuhl is alive! My childhood heroes opened for them, Mats/Morgan band. Prog/Fusion legends in their own right played with Zappa live and unrehearsed when 10 and 14 yo respectively. Check out Baader Puff!
good evening, for having seen magma on stage several times. your analysis is very interesting depending on your musical culture. a long musical track like this can be played in several pieces. the last part for example. I wish you the pleasure of listening to them live
I've been wanting to hear you do Magma since discovering your channel. Couldn't quite figure out the right song to suggest, given the same reasons as the person who suggested it gave. Christian Vander (writer/drummer/lead male in the song) is a big Coltrane fan if that helps you get some of where he is coming from. Also, I know you claim this as background music but anytime I listen to Magma I am immediately drawn in and engaged for the 40+ minute song/album. If you're looking for something with shifting melodies and a little lighter, try the album (I'd probably cal it an EP) "Félicité Thösz". 32 minutes total.
Welcome to zeuhl... a subgenre of progressive rock (with artificial language included) that Magma founded in France in late 60s and that has a quite big audience in Japan and northern Europe still now...
Bryan if you have not yet heard ER III,, which picks up right as this clip ends, here it is- this has some of the most complex vocal lines you will ever hear in rock or prog, notably beginning at 9:45, when the lines wrap around each other, with choir and soloists going off in all directions: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1AutP0Fz40s.html
First Magma reaction I have ever seen. I figured Christian Vander was being overly possessive (like Robert Fripp/King Crimson). Are these smaller labels loosening up?
I would love to hear your thoughts on the german (mostly instrumental) Jazz/Metal Band Panzerballett - Take Five or Frantik Nervesaw Massacre would be great Songs to react to. The Bands name literally means "Tankballet" and it describes their music perfectly. :D
I love their cover of "Ein bisschen frieden". So intense! Wasn't that a contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1JktZ1Bhv8A.html
Love your channel keep it up so far you've covered 2 of my favorite bands ever arch echo & btbam hope you get soon to the other 3: septicflesh, scardust, insomnium
This is a few years too late, but *KMX B12* (about 9 minutes, with a bass solo, then a guitar solo, with quite a bit of shred in both). ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4-3gkIe1oBs.html
It's so interesting to see the pure reaction without knowing that this language is totally made up, to the point of almost gibberish. This genre was basically created by this band, called Zeuhl which means the music of spheres. It's a Kobaian language. The drummer is a lead vocalist for a second. This is obvious in their video records. So, this is basically pure unbiased music experience of a foreign planet's language. So we're all on the same page. Again, glad I've found your channel cause you are so open to the unexpected, the new and unknown.
ça me rappelle aussi cet ami musicien, par ailleurs homme estimable qui me disait après ingestion de trois verres ballon de Gigondas qu'il croyait très fort à l’arrogance, haïssait l’idée de soumission, d’humilité et que s'il fallait subir une forme de contrainte ou de dictature, il préférerait toujours qu’elle soit exercée par la foule que par l’élite musicale ou sociale. On peut négocier avec la masse. L’élite musicale est trop fermée & arrogante ! Mais il était bourré🤮
