Kohntarkosz

Number two in a series of three images based on a trilogy of albums by French progressive rock band Magma.

What I tried to do here is to create an image that would illustrate what the record is about while capturing its overall mood. And because drawing a series of illustrations of arcane and cryptic French albums was apparently too straightforward, I did it in the style of French science-fiction artist Philippe Druillet, who, in the 1970’s, did for visual arts what Magma did for music. It’s all perfectly clear in my head.

The second part of the series, Köhntarkösz, was composed and recorded in 1974, which means that it existed as a complete piece decades before its prequel and sequel albums were released. The album is a continuation of the story of the archaeologist Köhntarkösz when he explores Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré's tomb and has a revelation about the mystical secrets unveiled by the lost pharaoh. Köhntarkösz is a slow, intense, very dark piece of music.

You can hear an extract of Köhntarkösz here.

First part: K.A.
Third part: Emehntehtt-Re

Click here if you want to see other experiments.