OSIRIS

Choosing a career in Zeuhl isn't the path of least resistance. Not only will every note you play be compared to Magma, it will most likely also be dwarfed by the output of that one true great Zeuhl band. And, given Magma has about 200 fans, there's little perspective you'll ever be staging a live show for more then 30 dedicated Zeuhl heads.

In case your bandname is Zao, you might even be discarded for being too much jazz fusion and too less Zeuhl. Compared to Magma (here we go) the jazz influence is decisively stronger and the album fits better alongside Magma's first two albums 1001° then say MDK or Köhntarkösz. Zao employs two singers that add a Zeuhl flavour to the album. The music is slightly droning and rhythmically repetitive. Also that is fittingly Zeuhl.

The quality of the material however goes up and down. The opener is rather disappointing, a lifeless rhythm, weak riffs and little or no melodic development. On the better pieces such as Isis and Yog, the musicians show their skills in arranging and playing together. These songs are focused and well balanced, but still nothing happens that really kicks this album in action for me. The CD re-issue adds a Live Montreal tracks that shows the band in full Jazz-Fusion mood. One of the better tracks here.

A decent Zeuhl/Jazz Fusion album, but nothing exceptional for me.