After the sheer hell of the two support groups' tedious drivel... Voila, Les Voix with an additional fifty vocalists and a real-life conductor, Didier Louis. An extract from Vander's still unreleased triple album: 'Ëmëhntëht-Rê' gave us the clue that the set would not be massively different to prior shows, except that the Edgar Varese choir were ranked on tiers behind the customary formation of Les Voix (Goubert and Sivadier on Keyboards). But immediately after the 'Ëmëhntëht-Rê' incantation, the guests shuffled off-stage. The first major change from their orthodox set list was that Les Voix did not perform 'To Love', I missed that, but a far greater blow was to follow. The remainder of the set was just like any other Les Voix show, although the atmosphere had been dispatched for me by the support acts, such that I could never quite settle down and relish the gig properly. The choir were absent for the majority of the concert and only returned when the show had reached its traditional peak; 'Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh'. Customarily, at this point Christian would lead his merry band to glory in this epic on drums. Tonight however, Christian left the stage. Why!? The inconceivable then unfolded, a performance of 'Mekanïk' totally devoid of percussion!
On reflection, it was a passable event, at least it did not turn out to be an embarrassment. I was disappointed that more use was not made of the choir, and that the choir themselves were not true professionals. Les Voix have frequently given better performances of all tonight's pieces. The set was redeemed by the late inclusion of 'Ehm Deïss' after the legion refused to leave the auditorium. I got the impression that Les Voix were not planning to come back for an encore, because some of them had changed into their street clothes by this time. Dazed and confused, the crowd eventually spilled out into the boulevard at something like 1:30am. Yet there was still that overwhelming void caused by the lack of Christian's presence for 'M.D.K.', an experience for sure... but should a similar performance be repeated? I hope not, experimentation is certainly Christian's path for the nineties, but from time to time the results are merely interesting. Malakoff was O.K. Given adequate rehearsals a symphonic rendition of his compositions should be a treat, likewise a full blown electronic work, but a major piece like 'M.D.K.' should not be performed without Zebëhn Strain dë Geustaah.
"The performance by Les Voix at Malakoff was great, an amazing version of 'Mekanïk'. Let's hope Seventh Records will someday issue it. I noticed that the show was filmed..." Alain Lebon
"Wasn't it horrible to hear 'Mekanïk' without any drums? Something like a chorale or Easter Mass. I'm still missing the brutal force of Jannick's bass as a complement to CV's drum work at Les Voix concerts, and now this. Unbelievable!"Rolf Spengler
"We only had two proper rehearsals with the Choeur Edgar Varese before they arrived at Malakoff, and these special events really need more time."Voix Anonyme