MAGMA — Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh (review)

MAGMA — Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh album cover Album · 1973 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Miler72
Third album and this album firmly puts them in the Zeuhl map. They invented Zeuhl, of course, and "Zeuhl" is a Kobaian word, Kobaian being a language made up by Christian Vander and implemented in their music. Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh finally gave them international exposure as the album was released on A&M, but in France it was on Vertigo. This album emphasizes repetition, with themes recurring, repeating bass lines, and a more unified sound, where it's pretty guaranteed within one minute of listening to this album how you're going to enjoy it. Here the group now included Stella Vander (who married Christian) and bassist Jannick Top, amongst a ton of others. And of course Klaus Blasquiz. There are a lot of high pitched and shrilly vocals that might put some listeners off, and I have to warn you this album might not have a lot of middle ground. I've heard my share of people who can't stand the album, but I love it, and many others do, it's just a plain case of "not for everyone", just as I wouldn't recommend Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica to everyone. I've heard this album referred to as a "Klingon Space Opera". I guess you could probably listen to this while watching Star Trek and visualize the Klingons doing such music. I realize this album is part of a larger story explored on other albums, but I'm not a Magma expert, or an expert of the Planet Kobaia, but I do enjoy their music, and their albums are essential. Personally, it's a great album, but you probably want to listen before you buy. And if Mekanik Destruktiw puts you off, they have other albums easier to take in, like 1001 Degrees Centigrade, Udu Wudu, Attahk, or even their followup Kohntarkosz.
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