French prog rock band Magma were assembled by seismic drummer Christian Vander to relate his operatic saga concerning the future disintegration of Earth and the subsequent efforts of a few citizens to begin a new society on the distant planet Kobaia – all related in Vander’s self-composed language of Kobaian.
Displaying a level of pretension that dwarfs even the most mystical progressive rock bands of the ’70s, Magma came on like some jazz-funk Wagner wired on yellowed sci-fi paperbacks and crystal meth.
The music was eclectic to a fault: lengthy horn-led excursions, strange, percussive ritualistic soliloquies, clipped, angular rhythms and extroverted, expressionist vocals.
Magma have been lauded by none other than John Lydon (Sex Pistols, PiL) and were apparently the favourite band of 80s snooker wiz, Steve Davis.
Christian Vander
Drums Klaus Blasquiz
Vocals Francis Moze
Bass, keyboards Claude Olmos
Guitar Rene Garber Saxophone, clarinet Francois Cahen
Keyboards Jannick Top
Bass Bernard Paganotti
Bass Jean-Luc Manderlier
Keyboards Stella Vander
Vocals
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