Magma

I experienced them live twice, and I got bored during both concerts. So much so that I found I was fighting to concentrate, and when you do that, its really not enjoyable.

Shakespeare wrote: Squonkman wrote: Shakespeare wrote: Squonkman wrote: I have seen Magma twice live, have a DVD and a few albums. So I have given them a very good listen and a chance to impress me. Vastly overrated imo. They do nothing for me. Seeing them live is interesting, but ultimately neither time I saw them spurred me to run out and listen to their albums. Its really closer to avant garde classical music than progressive rock. While other people around me were in musical nirvana, there was also a lot of people who headed for the exits. I think that's rude, so I stayed throughout both times, but they are definitely a style that you either like or could simply do without and not miss it. The odd thing is, I am into all kinds of classical music, and symphonic prog, but the Kobaian chanting just loses me. I need to be emotionally invested in the music and/or lyrics, and the chants do nothing for me emotionally. They don't claim to be progressive rock. In fact, they deny it.   But they are listed here as a progressive rock band. For people who are perusing this site, and come upon Magma, they might have a certain preconception of what they might sound like. If they understand going in, this is closer to avant garde classical, with jazz and opera influences, they might not be as disappointed when they hear it. We also list John Zorn, Protest the Hero, and Death as progressive rock. How pure avant-garde music, punk, and death metal are related to a short-lived bombastic keyboard music of the early 70s is beyond me, but if they are, then surely the Zeuhl movement must be as well. The only pure prog is in the Symphonic and the Eclectic subgenres. I think most people either realize this, or think that prog rock encompasses anything 'good', therefore they should be open to prog being anything from bombastic keyboard music to Neo-pre-post-avant-triple B flat-noise-core. Sorry for the laplacism.

alanerc wrote: So, I listened to Magma And you all call'em geniuses? they suck

I'm fairly sure Magma don't like you either.

Is it not within the realm of possibility that due to the diverse range of music on this site that they simply just don't appeal to you?  I've sampled a little and they haven't scored with me, but so what?

If you're going to try and start an interesting conversation in the forums you could at least explain yourself.  Let's see, I've rescanned the posts and did you even bother to respond to one, hell no.

So, if you are even paying attention, who are your geniuses?  I'll even let you off the hook a little and say you don't have to explain why.

For the Magma enthusiasts, please review my list of reviews (no, you don't have to actually read them all) and tell which album you think would make me a convert.  Now, you all should explain why.

I've listened to a few Zeuhl samples here and am a little intrigued, the genre hasn't caught fire with me, but I retain an open mind and ear.


Edited by Slartibartfast - April 24 2008 at 21:14

...Popsicles don't suck either.

Last year at this time I only owned MDK and I didn't particularly like it all that much.  I definitely didn't get the hype.  Then NEARfest came along.  Magma was the last band on the last day, so I thought that I would get an early start going home.  So I went to their set thinking I would give them a few songs, seeing that I consider myself open minded.  Not only didn;t I leave early, they blew me away.  Out of hundreds/thousands of concerts I've been to in my life they were one of the best ever.  I now have 15 of their cds and love everyone.  I wish that I could have seen them in the 70s.

BroSpence wrote: First time I heard Magma I liked them.  Then all the other times I did as well.  Its pretty cool that way.

top 5 posts ever

Theusz Hamtaahk!

I'm not upto date with Magma as I should be, but what I have heard is astonishingly good.  It does have classical and jazz influences, but it's not classical at all.

When did you last hear a classical band with fuzz bass and a big drum sound?  It's very unique music and it's also intoxicating.

I must buy Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh.


Edited by James - April 24 2008 at 22:05

I actually think Theusz Hamtaahk is a little better than MDK, at least when you compare it to the live version of MDK.

Logan wrote: If one can't stand the heat, stay out of the Magma.  The cool thing about Magma followers is that they rarely get hotheaded when discussing the group with those that feel burned by Magma.

Actually, the cool thing about Magma followers is that I'm one. 

Try a different album Teo, such as the debut or M.D.K.