LIVE/HHAÏ (KÖHNTARK)

This molten boulder called Magma sounds quiet impressive alive. The musicians of Magma belong to the most disciplined ones and play alive as tight and as good or even better then on studio records, which is quiet uncommon in the progressive scene. This double vinyl contains the whole Kohntark, which fill two sides with this single composition of 32 minutes. The second vinyl contains three shorter compositions on side three and a sidefilling "Mekanik Zaïn" on the fourth side.

Magma plays dark fusion with avant-garde elements like operah vocals. The music is often played in the bass spectrum with some high pitch shrieks of woman operah vocals or violins. There is a great attack to the listener and there are no commercial compromises. The tension building in the "Kohntark" lasts very long (about 10 minutes or longer) and becomes as intense as thrash/death metal. The outburst with the theme played in great speed and tension is really impressive. The music is mainly rhythmical based on the drums of the composition writer and genius of the band Cristian Vander. There are almost no symphonic melodies and the music sounds like a whole. These are disciplined musicians with no change to show their ego's. It sounds like a train. This long composition is the best of the double record.

The shorter songs miss the great tension and complex composition styl. HHai (the last of the three) is the best and also the longest. It seems that Magma is especially good in these long compositions. The "Mekanik Zain" sounds a bit like the first composition, but is somewhat less impressive.

This work well deserves four stars for the impressive first two sides of this record. Sometimes I think these musicians take themselves a bit too serious. Most of the more extreme progrockers have some sense of humor, but Magma is constantly busy creating dark and serious music. Quiet a heavy listening, but highly original!