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6 Degrees Entertainment

Title - 'Zëss'
Artist - Magma

For those not in the know, Magma is a French progressive rock band founded in Paris in 1969 by classically trained drummer Christian Vander; who claimed as his inspiration a "vision of humanity's spiritual and ecological future" that profoundly disturbed him.

In the course of their first album, the band tells the story of a group of people fleeing a doomed Earth to settle on the planet Kobaïa. Later, conflict arises when the Kobaïans—descendants of the original colonists—encounter other Earth refugees.

Furthermore, Vander invented a constructed language, Kobaïan, in which most lyrics are sung.

In a 1977 interview with Vander and long-time Magma vocalist Klaus Blasquiz, Blasquiz said that Kobaïan is a "phonetic language made by elements of the Slavonic and Germanic languages to be able to express some things musically. The language has of course a content, but not word by word."

Vander himself has said, "When I wrote, the sounds [of Kobaïan] came naturally with it. I didn't intellectualize the process by saying 'Ok, now I'm going to write some words in a particular language', it was really sounds that were coming at the same time as the music."

Later albums tell different stories set in more ancient times; however, the Kobaïan language remains an integral part of the music.

Magma's brand new album Zëss marks the 50th anniversary of the group, still led by Christian Vander with long-time member Stella Vander assisting, as always.

Released this past June 28th, 2019 via Seventh Records it comes with a 40-page deluxe CD book which also includes all the lyrics from the record.

Given that the Vanders are not spring chickens these days, word has already spread that this might well be their very last album.

Indeed, some of the lyrics themselves kinda foreshadow that theory, but then again, understanding them wholly and having your own mind as to their meanings is a whole other world to be part of, of course.

That said, Christian - who for the first time ever does not play drums on the album (which already puts Zëss into its very own singular entry in the group’s discography) - has admitted that this is to be the grand finale to the Kobaïan story - so it makes sense to go out with a bang, so to speak!

The album's plot - which features just the one song for just under 38 minutes in length - focuses on the end of the universe and all of the music is accompanied by the aforementioned orchestra.

Indeed, a first draft of Zëss first emerged in 1977, made its live debut in 1979, and was part of the French outfit’s set until 1983.

Now completed as a mainstay project this wondrous new studio version complete with the excellent The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra is rather the most perfect prog beast to behold, believe me.

Vocalist and producer Stella Vander Linon says: “It was the right time for us, and our audience wanted it too. We wanted to make a beautiful studio version – different from the live versions and closer to the original vision for the song."

Christian Vander adds: “Zëss is the story of the end of everything – the end of time and of everything that has ever existed. Absolute oblivion, like a dreamless night."

"It feels like nothing has ever existed nor will it ever exist again – all forms of consciousness have vanished.”

FYI: Magma's new album Zëss is available for pre-order as a limited edition of 1500 numbered copies on gold colored vinyl.

The package includes a 4-page booklet. The vinyl edition will be released on September 20th, 2019.

Facts:
180 gram audiophile vinyl
Brand new album
Gatefold sleeve with UV spot varnish
4-page booklet
Limited edition of 1500 numbered copies on gold colored vinyl

Watch The Making Of Magma's Limited Edition Gold Colored Vinyl of Zëss!

Amazon Gold Vinyl CD Purchase Link

Amazon CD Purchase Link

Magma @ Facebook!

www.magmamusic.org





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