KÃRTËHL

Kãrtëhl is a new 14th Magma release. For those who don't know or are new to the music of this legendary band, Magma is a french group, whose leader(drummer/vocalist and the main composer behind the music of Magma) Christian Vander is regarded as the creator of Zeuhl genre. Zeuhl music is characterised by marching themes, throbbing bass, an ethereal piano or Rhodes piano, and brass instruments. The singing in Magma is in Kobaian - constructed language as the lyrical medium. Magma experienced a lot of lineup changes. The main differences between the previous record (Zess) and this one include an addition of Thierry Eliez on keys, piano and Jimmy Top (a son of another bassist Jannick Top) on bass instead of Philippe Bussonnet. Now we get to the music. The overall depicted feel of Kãrtëhl seems lighter, brighter and more jazzy in comparison to previous Magma works. Not to all though, - there are some similarities with Merci and Félicité Thösz in general atmosphere on these compositions, I would say. The structural complexity in writing is present (although it isn't as prominent as in K.A. or Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré, for example) but I do think this record is more accessible and easy to get into for Zeuhl newbies in comparison to several previous releases. Production feels great.

1. Hakëhn Deïs (7:12) starts off this album in a whirly melodic fashion. The happiness is present in some sections. The vocal melody reminds of the one in 'The Night We Died'. A good start. (8/10)

2. Do Rïn Ïlï Üss (4:38) begins very quietly, like the percussion here. Chime is a great touch. This composition has multiple vocal lines: the lead one and back vox, both are very interesting sounding. Like vocal-keys interplay. This track also contains some darker sounding passage after 3:30, very cool. (7/10)

3. Irena Balladina (5:13) starts like 'Kobaia' from the debut album, has a jazzy feel to it, with lead vocal (by Stella Vander) and guitar lead melody. Quite exalted sounding, happy zeuhl. (7,5/10)

4. Walömëhnd Ëm Warreï (7:37) is a contrast. Enigmatic intro. Mysterious sounding is present in the vocals and the instrumental sections, which repeat multiple times. An epic composition. (8,5/10)

5. Wïï Mëlëhn Tü (8:56) Weird vocal expressions in the beginning. Mild instrumentation with somewhat strict vocal deliverance by Herve follows. Then we get tender vocal section by Stella. Sparse instrumentation with different vocal lines (including Christian's). Some of the sections are quite catchy. (7/10)

6. Dëhndë (6:55) is very happy and seems more jazz then zeuhl to me. Christian does the main singing here with an occasional melodic b/vox by Stella Vander, Hervé Aknin, Isabelle Feuillebois, Sylvie Fisichella, Caroline Indjein and Laura Guarrato. We get a laid back instrumentation here. The sections are repeated several times. A nice happy ending to this album. (7,5/10)

The bonus material contains early takes, stripped-down versions of the first and the last tracks of the main album. This is more of a historical document, really. Very fun vocal parts by Christian and Rene Garber.

Kãrtëhl showcases great melodic vocal work by all of the vocalists here, melodic guitar passages and keyboard/piano-rich compositions with a strong rhythm section, very tight musicianship. Even if I am not really a fan of the happy side of zeuhl (I just love Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré- and 'De futura'-like dark sounding), I do feel this is an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection. Well done, Magma!