DAI KAHT II

If most Zeuhl-style albums make you think of the Kobaians preparing to invade and conquer a planet, this one could maybe be a take on their post-invasion party celebrations. Jazzy and upbeat but still with Zeuhl vocals and other elements. Zeuhl was new to me this year, and having started with Magma's Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh thought it was all going to be a bit too bleak for my mainstream tastes.

Broadening horizons to albums like this that are more of a Zeuhl crossover really does work though.

As BrufordFreak writes, its almost as if the Allman Brothers were collaborating on this. The first two tracks, while having Zeuhl vocalisations, are fast paced, jazzy and upbeat. Helvet Sttroï II is just as fast paced to start but very chaotic and Zeuhl heavy before a brief spacey jam session. Willargh starts very gentle, almost giving time to reflect on the chaos of the previous track before the true roots of Zeuhl appear in a slow march/chant section, although still somehow, maybe through the key of the vocals, seeming to stay relatively upbeat despite the ominous guitar riff. The pace then picks up for another fast but gentle space jam interspersed with what I guess should be called 'Party Zeuhl' composed by the Allman Brothers Kobaian cousin.

Zöbehr-Daï for me seems to be taking time out from the party to reminisce highlights of the battle. Think of the big powerful men(?) inflating their egos over a trough of beer bragging about their kills. Wehr Mahrü is a real toe tapper to start, with a slightly more menacing feel, particularly in the midsection which quietens down and slowly builds back up again as more instruments are added. Now I've started to tell the story above I'm undecided what this track would signify. Either the group are now fighting among themselves, or planning their next attack.

Probably the latter, as in M'a Orgata things are a lot calmer and the vocals return to a lighter rather than the gruff, angry chanting of previous tracks, before finishing off with a slower but in parts just as chaotic track, particularly the vocals. The leader of the group is making a rousing speech, ready for the next one...

As someone who's struggled to get into Zeuhl I highly recommend this album as a gateway into it, as a more upbeat variant of a style that could move in all sorts of directions beyond Magma and the rest.