K.A. (Kohntarkosz Anteria) by Magma

K.A. (Kohntarkosz Anteria) by Magma, 2004 album.

I've spoken at length about Magma in the biographical profile dedicated to them, in which I retrace the fundamental stages of their long and brilliant career, the celebration of which I will have the opportunity to attend on March 6th at Parco della Musica in Rome.

K.A. (Köhntarkösz Anteria) is a triumphant return, twenty years after their golden age, and a masterpiece of the Zeuhl genre.

Featuring compositions largely written in the 1970s, but performed with modern technology, the sound is clear and powerful. This album has such power that it rivals the magnificent Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh, with a complex, seamless, and intense fusion of jazz-rock, avant-garde, opera, and modern classical music.

The concept is essentially a prequel to the 1974 album Köhntarkösz, and the narrative explores the main character's spiritual quest through three lengthy suites lasting approximately 11, 16, and 21 minutes.

Parts I and II are melodic pieces with splendid phrasings for piano, guitar, and vocals, supported by Vander's as always extremely precise drumming and Philippe Bussonet's metronomic bass.

Part III begins with a long instrumental section that showcases the jazz side of Vander's music and then evolves into the signature Magma sound. This section features a "Hallelujah" refrain that approaches more "traditional" prog.

Christian Vander's drumming is superb, as always, precise and energetic, and the vocal performances are excellent, including the female backing vocals. In my opinion, along with Mëkanïk Dëstruktïẁ Kömmandöh, this is Magma's best album. A key album for the Zeuhl genre and for progressive rock in general, and the fact that it was released twenty years after their initial masterpieces makes it extraordinary. I can't remember many bands capable of doing this.

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.

Tracklist

1. K.A I (11:12)
2. K.A II (15:53)
3. K.A III (21:43)
Duration 48:49

LineUp

- Christian Vander - vocals, drums, percussion
- Stella Vander - vocals, percussion
- Isabelle Feuillebois - vocals
- Himiko Paganotti - vocals
- Antoine Paganotti - vocals
- James Mac Gaw - guitar
- Emmanuel Borghi - piano, Fender Rhodes
- Frédéric d'Oelsnitz - Fender Rhodes
- Philippe Bussonnet - bass