Progressive rock moves along

In 1970, Magma composed its double-album debut, entitled Kobaia and 1001 Centigrades, in which the musicians "tell the story of a group of people fleeing a doomed Earth to settle on the planet called Kobaia, and the conflict between the Earth refugees and the descendants of the originals colonists".

From 1974 to 1978, the band members experienced their most intense period of work, releasing four albums, and then took a break before returning in 1985 with their album Merci, featuring songs full of soul, disco and funk influences. With each album released, the band won a bigger worldwide following. Its music is considered "imaginative and adventurous" by critics.

"When the music is born and exists, I decipher and analyze - mostly afterwards - its meaning and story. I don't look for the story intentionally; it is already there," he says.

In the 2000s, Magma played and recorded pieces from throughout its career in live settings, which gave birth to a series of all Magma's songs with appearances of former band members, such as Jannick Top and Klaus Blasquiz.

Many of the musicians who have played with the band have gone on to their own solo projects, influenced by the experience with Magma. Even though that was difficult sometimes, Vander says, it gave Magma a chance to evolve in a positive way.

"What stays unchanged: the raging passion of wanting to play a 'construction', the sound, the long-term vision and the fact that we don't compromise," he says.

The new lineup will feature Vander and his singer wife, Stella, guitar-player James MacGaw, bass-player Philippe Bussonet and a short list of male and female vocalists.

"We never followed any trends or musical tendency. I think that's why we are still here today and why a lot of younger bands take us as an example," says Vander. "In the future, we will continue to play and give people a chance of discovering our music all around the world. And most of all, continue to surprise others and myself."