ARCHAÏA

Archaia may have been Magma fans, but they certainly weren't Magma clones. At last we have a Zeuhl album without the bombast, where a drumless Magma meets a stringless Universe Zero. All drums have been sacked in favour of an altogether more creepy Zeuhl sound. Sinister, with elements that conjure up visions of Aleister Crowley or a black mass. Archaia have similarities to Heldon and Lard Free. This album is more laid back than those bands though.

There's quite a lot of droning mediaeval chants which makes it sound like it should have been used in that scene from 'Rosemary's Baby' where the baddies are lurking around that big black pram! The guitars are drenched in fuzz, the bass is claustrophobic and throbbing and the vocals are somewhat similar in style to Magma's Klaus Blasquiz. Unfortunately some of the early keyboards are a wee bit on the cheesy side though.

An album to be listened to with the lights off for the full effect. Get it in time for Halloween!