Magma overflows as French group rocks China

French rock group Magma.[File photo]

Magma, a French progressive rock group, held live concerts in Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai from May 29 to May 31 as a part of their world tour called　＂The Endless Tour＂.

From 1970 to 1971, the group composed and released their first album simply entitled Kobaïa. The explosive compound of cavernous bass and a hammering beat erupted from the record players, as an otherworldly voice chanted in a mysterious language, the sound swelling with incandescent guitar riffs and the full force of a brass section.

Magma experienced its most intense period of work from 1974 to 1978, when they produced four albums in four years (WurdahÏtah, Köhntarkösz, ÜdüWüdü and Attahk) and then returned in 1985, after a short break, with the album Merci.

According to Western music critics, Magma’s music makes free jazz, classical, blues, progressive rock and pop in combination. Eight musicians in the group have all the talent required to bring this unique and visionary music to life under the leadership of virtuosic drummer, composer and singer Christian Vander.

Together the group succeeded in fusing together various music styles and forming an impressive as well as innovative collective - each of whom thrived and excelled within the group. So common was it for musicians to subsequently launch their careers as sidemen or soloists that people sometimes refer to the Magma school of music.

In the year 2001 Magma-fans from all over the world celebrated the return of the band and the live album Theusz Hamtaahk was released. Quickly the band regained a top-notch reputation giving gigs of unbelievable precision and intensiveness for the avant-garde public.

From September 2014 to November 2015, the now almost 70 years old Christian Vander and Magma have planned a new – and maybe last – concert tour all over the world, called “The Endless Tour”.

Their Chinese live shows won consistent high praise from their fans as well as rock lovers. In Beijing, their concert lasted more than three hours in warm atmosphere. According to Nancy Liu, an audience at the event, it was an exciting and unforgettable show.