MYTHES ET LÉGENDES, VOLUME II

Almost all bands of the golden era that reformed and released new albums and live DVDs put themselves in a embarrasing situation when we compare their classic output/performance and their status today. EL&P and, quite frankly, Yes had to slowdown their songs to be able of playing it alive, cutting the long impros and all those things that made them great..

But Magma... These guys are the sole members of the circuit that grew (very) old and can face their past with an altive look, even a menacing one. The whole collective that presents itself as Magma seems to be a mere vehicle for the great and dark Music that exists out there and within us, deep inside our unconscient. I can't say that Vander or the great Busonette or the keyboard player or any of the singers are the lead figures on stage. All of them seems to be possessed by the soturn chants and music that makes Magma so great and so difficult at the same time.

I hate the sublabels that we use to create genres inside genres, like proto-doom metal, symphonic pop-prog or whatever, but in Magma's case it makes sense. Name it Zehul or other labele if you want it, but Magma is so transcedent of the labelling as Hermeto Paschoal, to quote a Brazilian master musician and composer. It's not jazz, neither rock in any form (even prog): it's just Magma music.

Although you have only the Vanders as the members of the first Magma era (with Jannick Top in some cuts) this is the case where the force of the music is greater than the individuals that played it. It seems that this whole crew was the only Magma that always has existed.

Finally, the single DVD that I thank for not having subtitles is this one. The ininteligibility of the kobaian chant makes it most deep than if we had the translation. Of course is interesting to get it, but Yes music told me how ridiculous some lyrics of gorgeus music can be. In the end I don't care for lyrics at all, only their matching with the music, what in Magma's music is perfect since there is no lyrics at all in a sense, only pure singing. And yes, I like the dark poetry of "Zëss" but knowing its lyrics doesn't make this song bigger to me than it was before.

Buy it from their site. I bought it in a pack with vol. I of this series and it is a really nice pair with a just price.

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