Magma

Magma is a French progressive rock group from Paris, formed in 1969 by drummer and composer Christian Vander. The band is active from 1969 to the present and is associated with progressive rock, avant-garde, experimental music, jazz rock and zeuhl.

Style and concept

The group’s music combines experimental rock, jazz and 20th-century classical music. It is closely linked with the zeuhl style, which features repetitive rhythmic patterns, prominent bass parts, complex drumming, dramatic vocal arrangements and long instrumental sections.

Many of the lyrics are sung in Kobaian, a constructed language used for a fictional narrative about Earth and the planet Kobaia. This material often includes spiritual and environmental themes.

History and releases

Magma forms in Paris in 1969 and initially disbands in 1983 before reforming in 1996. Its studio albums include Kobaïa, 1001° Centigrades, Mëkanïk Dëstruktïẁ Kömmandöh, Ẁurdah Ïtah, Köhntarkösz, Üdü Ẁüdü, Attahk, Merci, K.A, Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré, Félicité Thösz, Rïah Sahïltaahk, Šlaǧ Tanƶ, Zëss and Kãrtëhl. The catalogue also includes Mekanïk Kommandöh, an archival version of Mëkanïk Dëstruktïẁ Kömmandöh.

Ẁurdah Ïtah first appears under Christian Vander’s name as Tristan & Iseult.

Members

Musicians linked with the band include Klaus Blasquiz, Christian Vander, Stella Vander, Marc Fosset, Bernard Paganotti, Philippe Bussonnet, Antoine Paganotti, Himiko Paganotti, Jean-Pierre Lembert, Rudy Blas, Emmanuel Borghi, François Cahen, Frederic d’Oelsnitz, Sylvie Fisichella, Patrick Gauthier, Michel Graillier, Teddy Lasry, Laurent Thibault, Jannick Top and Julie Vander.

Label

The band’s releases appear on Prophecy Productions.