Black Aces Hellbound (ep) (2014)

Rïah Sahïltaahk is listed by most sources as a new studio album by Magma but it is in fact simply a re-recording of the first track of the same name from their second album. Apparently, Magma’s leader, Christian Vander, was never satisfied with the original 21-minute arrangement of Rïah Sahïltaahk that appeared on 1971’s "1001 Degrees Centigrades". Thus, over 40 years later, he has set out to rectify the situation. And the result? There are plenty of familiar passages throughout this 24-minute version. However, Vander has broken up the original single-track piece into seven separately-named tracks. Also gone are the horns of the 1971 recording, notably the distinctive bass clarinet of Yochk’o Seffer. In the place of the brass and woodwinds, we get guitar, vibraphone, and female vocals. All in all, not a bad tradeoff. Also, due to modern technology, this EP has a cleaner, clearer mix than the original.

With No 2, Sammal releases the follow-up to their critically acclaimed eponymous debut on February 14th through Svart Records. The present-day flagship of Finnish progressive rock sails back in time again to the authentic tones and warm soundscapes of the 1970s on their forthcoming EP, titled No 2. The band doesn’t show off with unnecessarily technical playing or super-hard song structures, but focuses on forging upbeat atmospheres with strong melodies and fresh vintage sounds. Sammal relies on live playing in the studio, which brings the listener closer to the band: the production breathes so care-free that you can almost touch the notes floating in the air.