KÖHNTARKÖSZ

And this main track may be the ultimate slow builder out there.

The first 9 minutes are slow, eerie, and unlike much of anything else I can think of (or course, that could describe much of Magma's canon!). Suffice it to say, few bands could get away with introducing so little new material yet still interest me. Perhaps it's the slight variations, such as the frequent tempo teases, or the unique combination of fuzz organ and bass rips underlying the soft "ooh-aahh" chants. Regardless, it's mesmerizing and unique.

Then, after a slightly pleasant break, we build, slowly but surely, into the phantasmagoric, chant-tastic finale. It never gets ahead of itself, yet somehow stays interesting, and then simply dies into slow bass drones.

There's really nothing like it. For that it gets major points. It's also deceptively simple, when I really think about it seriously, thus taking it out of masterpiece territory.

Regardless, it's a creative, unique, and enjoyable album, and I find it to be more consistent and restrained than much of Magma's other works. It's a very interesting side of the band, and I, like most proggers, am quite pleased they decided to show it!

Share this MAGMA review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Flucktrot
• Report this review (#283931)
• Buy MAGMA music online with PA partners
• Show all MAGMA MP3/Stream
• Go to MAGMA page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Köhntarkösz page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for MAGMA related discussions