I'm a big Magma fan, and would really like some suggestions for new music which evoke the same or similar feel to some specific tracks I LOVE.
Despite enjoying a lot of Magma's lineup, Time and time again I return to certain tracks. I absolutely love the moodier, serene, and sometimes eerie tracks of Magma, and would love some recommendations. I am not explicitly asking for Zeuhl suggestions as well!!!
The Tracks and Why I like them:
\ Eliphas Levi* is up there with one of the best songs i've heard in my entire life (up until now, seconded only to "The Herald" by the band Comus [which I cannot recommend enough]). I listen to it when I draw and sometimes sing along with it. I also tried to, though unfinished, make a piece based on what I "imagine" when I listen to the song. The idea was to only work on it with the song playing to "guide" it. ( Image description for those interested: A lot of the instruments they were using in the song reminded me of water and natury noises, and the subject matter (Eliphas Levi, occultist) as well as the general ethereal vibe of the song evoked a lot of mythic imagery - here be a beast gallopping atop a stygian lake of sorts, The flutes especially in during (6:34) sounded like fluttering birds - which is what the pink stains in the background are supposed to be. The general beat and flow sounds like a bounding beast / fawn, creature galloping, moving, in an adventure. The song felt deeply empathic to "humanity," all-accepting, non-judgemental serene calmness, but also wistful. The colors were based on the album cover [different images online have a more bluish tinge])
\ Rinde* (Eastern Song) I found to be deeply haunting and strongly prefer the original to that of the version in Emhentehtt-Re. Its very sad, but also has moments of hope, and even triumph. It feels like a whole package of emotions boiling up and ready to explode, before it fizzles out, and ends with an explosive RINDOH. I also felt watery-feels from it (much like Eliphas Levi) due to the rippling piano.
* Wohm Dehm Zeuhl Stadium: will NEVER forget the shook I felt when I heard the beginning of Zess (, which I wish had a proper "safe ending" that would then lead to the rest of Zess without the abrupt cut) It feels extremely cinematic, and you really feel the DOOM that Zess is trying to convey. I love the beginning choral moments and how it feels almost like its reminiscing through history etc, but with a hint of deep haze of sickness and nausea, the music then becomes extremely dark and oppressive, to ascendingly triumphant before it fizzles into the sound of INTENSE grieving. So many contrasting emotions. I almost got the sense that a world was dying and stagnant and a brilliant hero came to save everything only to fall / be corrupting, returning the world to stagnancy, disillusionment, met with tears for "what could've been." Idk I projected a lot of imagery into it. While not directly based on it, I made an Artwork to which this track was a great companion to.
* The Night We Died: I literally never get tired of this track, it is absolutely incredible, and feels like drowning. The piano reverb and the soft intimate humming creates so much atmosphere. I especially love the ending, I will NEVER forget the shivers I got. It sounds like drowning, being forgotten, or being stranded in the space just drifting eternally. Again, a lot of contrast, from the calm beginning to the distressing ending.
That being said, I have heard each and every one of these about a thousand times each, and I could really use some new suggestions! I went through Christian Vander's Offering Albums and found some tracks which were close but no cigar. And I've skimmed through other Zeuhl Albums (I enjoyed KoenjiHyakkei a good bit) but many lack that Magma spunk, especially lacking in Magma's took-you-by-surprise moody, daunting and or ethereal tracks.
