Magma: The Kings of the Concept Album

[@utgfy]

First, a disclaimer: I am a passionate Magma fan. Although I commend you on getting 85% of your facts right - difficult with a band whose very existence is a concept, and shrouded in vagueness due to an invented language - for the sake of correctness, I felt a few things needed correction or elaboration. Here are two big ones: --The second album does not tell the story of Kobaians returning to earth to educate ignorant Earthlings and being imprisoned. That's Theusz Hamtaahk--composed after the second album, but not recorded in studio, other than live versions. Instead Riah Sahiltaahk tells the story of a vain spiritualist who did not join the original journey to Kobaia, but attempts to arrive there all on his own. He is trapped in a storm on a way planet, attempts to use his powers to control nature, and is shocked to find them not up to the challenge, ultimately drowning. --Since you emphasized the concept album, it's essential to note that the cycle started with Kohtarkosz is one of the two big ones (as important as the Theusz Hamtaahk-Wurdah Itah-MDK sequence), including Kohntarkosz Anteria and Emehneht Re. This relates the story of an Egyptian Pharoah obsessed with finding the secrets of immortality (and making a breakthrough just before he is murdered), and the 20th century archaeologist who discovers his tomb, reconstructs his life, and attempts to carry on his efforts to awaken Ptah in the world. Unlike the TH trilogy, this one takes place in the past, but may connect to TH through the discovery/awakening of spiritual principles that leads to the creation of the Society of what will become the Kobaians. No criticism intended in these corrections, as Magma's stories are fairly vague, and you did a good job of capturing them in general. But it's best to get the right, most complete info out there.

[@progrock]

Thank you so much for your feedback! Im glad to have a more complete picture now.

[@basilejabnique1472]

As stated on the Seventh Records site, "RÏAH SAHÏLTAAHK is the name of the Kobaïan who left after all the others, despite their disapproval. He thought he was better than anyone else and he was sure he could convert Kobaïa’s enemies to the Kobaïan spirit. But he failed and left alone for Kobaïa". So, he isn't a "spiritualist who did not join the original journey to Kobaïa". It correpsonds with this quote from "The World of Magma" by Peter Thelen: "1000 DEGREES CENTIGRADES, the second Magma album from 1971, begins with the arrival of the Kobaian party back on Earth, and the seemingly friendly welcome they receive. The Earth people listen to the stories of the establishment and growth of Kobaian civilization, to their philosophy, and ideas for the betterment of life on Earth through purification and spiritual enlightment. But after airing these ideas at a meeting with the Earth authorities, the Kobaian party is promptly imprisoned and their spacecraft is impounded. But a message is sent to Kobaia, and a rescue effort is begun. The Kobaian rescus party offers the Earth authorities the choice of releasing the imprisoned Kobaians, or face certain destruction by the Kobaian's ultimate weapon. The imprisoned Kobaians are promptly released, and although they vow never to return, their visit is to be remembered by the few they came in contact with for a long period of time, their ideas preserved and passed on for future generations".

[@ProfessorChocolateCake]

I actually made a playlist on KZbin with the entire story in chronological order.

[@ProfessorChocolateCake]

@@PablitaPicasita kzbin.info/aero/PLUOF50HZp3Dlu9dRvUJ55vpg9WiySyQx9

[@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms]

@@basilejabnique1472 this is where I think the right wing themes in the "Kobaian" lore kick in. Read that it's the hippies in this video is awfully naive.

[@nelisezpasce]

Not anyone plays in both jazz and metal festivals!

[@iraklisuladze1185]

Magma is just great. I am a prog rock lover from Georgia (republic not the state )))) I remember me and my friends while being University students, gathering on weekends and watching Magma live concerts. That was an unique experience. Later I bought a turntable and started collecting many many vinyls. Once I managed to get i touch by email with a customer service girl, called Charlotte (I hope I remember her name correctly) who helped me with my order of remastered 'Komandoh' and sent me this vinyl with the signature of whooole band except 1 person (but here are both Vanders and other great magma guys). I still love to open this vinyl and look at those signatures. totally love the band and everything around them is full of quality and love

[@daviddevilliers2828]

My favorite band since 38 years

[@frankfertier34]

first concert in Angoulème 1971 (53 years): the world suddenly tilted upside down, the earth shifted poles and Vander made me believe drumming should be the way I could paint the world. I retired from drumming at 67 but still listen to the master and his fantastic musical universe. Zeuhl forever.

[@russell_szabados]

When I was in high school I was a major prog-head, and a total snob as high school music fans tend to be. Magma and Henry Cow were the standards upon which I deemed another person’s coolness. Yeah, I was 17.

[@NightOfCrystals]

It happens. I was pretentious about post rock bands. It’s easy to collapse your identity into something like music in high school because the world is overwhelming.

[@coal_powered]

cool band, never heard of them before but the idea of going so far as to create a complete language for the sake of your storyline is some real dedication

[@The1stMrJohn]

There are other bands that have created their own languages, including Sigor Ros, and Cockteau Twins.

[@frankfertier34]

@@The1stMrJohn Cocteau (Jean)

[@gelsol]

I saw Magma a few years back when they did their first Northwest tour of the states. Vancouver, Seattle, then Portland. At the Portland show, I told my wife I'm buying a drum kit, and I've happily been pursuing drums ever since.

[@BayouMaccabee]

A somewhat humorous note on listening to music in a foreign language... I recently bought a vinyl copy of Opeth's "In Cauda Venenum" album off Discogs, but without realizing it, I had inadvertently purchased the Swedish version. Funny thing is that I have come to really like this version, and because I can't understand the lyrics it's a totally different listening experience.

[@progrock]

I loved that version of the album, listened to that many times before getting around to the english one and listening to the lyrics. It really does chance the way you listen! Very solid album too.

[@darkwarrior1194]

I have the two cd version with both languages, usually I play the swedish one, for some reason it sounds better to me

[@maxlhetvxhywxvxbm7645]

Zombies still blows my mind on how heavy the song was and De Futura's bass was pretty heavy. I remember hearing that bassline for De Futura and thought it sounded like Meshuggah! Fun fact: Jodorowsky actually wanted Magma to do the music for his adaptation of Dune in the 70s

[@erikroggeman7620]

been listening to magma since i was 16. Never recovered from it, still blown away

[@tidiarr]

YES. AFTER 10,000 YEARS I FINALLY FIND AN ENGLISH ANALYSIS OF MAGMA! LET'S GOOOO

[@YiannisIliakis]

best band on earth!

[@love_kobaia]

Correction: The best band in the universe.

[@YiannisIliakis]

@@love_kobaia much better this way!!!

[@Leo-ep7yc]

Not quite Pink Floyd tho

[@marcosrogeriodearaujo4713]

ÏSS DE HÜNDIN!

[@mikeharwoodmusic]

I saw Magma performing at The Roundhouse in London 1974! They blew my mind, had no idea about the band but had a lasting impression on me. Thanks for posting this and for the informative replies.

[@JCridford]

I really must try Magma again. They're the one prog/prog-adjacent band I've never been able to crack. Gentle Giant? Yep! Van Der Graaf? Absolutely. But I've always struggled with Magma. It's weird, because I'm a huge fan of the avant garde metal band Imperial Triumphant, who I would consider a modern equivalent. Great video!

[@jakegibbons1256]

Listen to them live from 1974.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

I listen to Magma and as an autistic guy who loves The Beatles, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Rush, The Residents, Gorillaz, and others. This is a Blessing in the disguise of French Alien Language and Sci-FI Lore. This is a Perfect Mix of Weird, Prog, Soul, Funk, Opera, Prog, and Crazy Gibberish. I love it.

[@progrock]

They certainly are a blessing! Glad you liked the video, thank you.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

@@progrock Thanka you Very Much. I am looking forward to more Prog Videos on David Bowie, Yes, Radiohead, The Residents, Frank Zappa and others.

[@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms]

Bruh Moment,I'm an autist too but please don't comment this again.

[@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms]

I'm assuming the love of orog and autism as big a meme as it is is largely people who have tried zoloft for irregular reasons and people that haven't though. That and just having access to stims to begin with. Effect on the brain.

[@chriswakefield9538]

Why do autsists think people give a shit about their autism?

[@gabrielassaf9229]

Very nice introduction to this epic band. I would love to add that Magma is exceptional live, even sometimes surpassing the studio versions in their lives. the Mythes et Legendes series proves it as they play albums in their entirety. Really hope more people discover this gem of a band!

[@acirka]

Best prog band in the world period! Merci!

[@cfroberts62]

Thanks! Over the last few years I've been fascinated by this astonishing band----I remember seeing a lot of their albums when I lived in France as a kid ('74-'75) and didn't know what to make of them. Rediscovered them by watching "Jodorowsky's Dune"' and have been checking them out ever since...

[@Z-eb]

well, they are ZEUHL, a genre coined by Christian Vander. If you listen to M.D.K. and the Stravinsky Les Noces, or listen to Offering`s albums and then John Coltrane, you can clearly hear where it all came from, even if Magma is kinda unique in itself. Hamtaii, Zeuhl Wortz Kobaia Dotz Hundin Fur Den Stechen West. Wurdah Glao, Wurdah Kokah, Wurdah Itah, Don Dun Dreia. Dondai !

[@YiannisIliakis]

Exactly. Les Noces is a good example. Also listen to "Messe de la Pentecote" by Olivier Messiaen. Many influences from here as well.

[@intothevoid5074]

There is enough words in Kobaïan that one can create full titles. For example: Dï Ẁöóhr dë Ẁurdihn - Klötsz Zaspïaahk The Voice of Oblivion - Klaus Blasquiz Ẁurd Æmgalaï - Ẁahrğënuhr Reuğhëhlëmæstëh The Demon of the Apocalypse - Jannick Top One can also create hypothetical translations of untranslated Kobaïan words based on the French subtitles of certain songs. For example: Ẁëhëm - Beyond Štëhëm - Unending (Same meaning as Hündïn) Blaö - Final Ẁrëhntt - Force

[@swampy1584]

Thank you for introducing me to the world of Magma always good to find new old music that is awesome

[@CannibalWHORE22]

One of my favorite bands. So much goes on in the music you never feel a 30 minute song overstays its welcome also the musicianship is unparalleled.

[@TheSeptemberRose]

I LOVE MAGMA! I was lucky enough to see them live in Toronto several years ago where friends of mine actually got to be the opening act! I just love the energy and emotion their music brings. I had never heard of them until the mid 2000s when a friend let me listen to KOBAIA and I was hooked.

[@calgraves8842]

Absolutely fantastic video. Been a huge Magma fan for years and so happy to see a well done video about them! you correct a lot of misunderstanding of the concept lol won a subscribe in one vid

[@progrock]

It's very much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Tunecranker]

Saw them live in 2003 at Nearfest! Dang, has it been 20 years already!?

[@bringerofobsidiandeath339]

Very informative and well done video. Absolutely love Magma. Would love for you to do a video on VDGG.

[@josmafer4133]

Finally a video talking about Magma, thank you

[@dhollsynthmusic]

essentially Magma are more 'hardcore jazz-rock' than prog: prog typically has more structure with clear quieter sections & build-up of tension before exploding in climaxes. Magma's music is mostly that build-up of tension quality: they have a pretty unique place in music as their sound is just as related to the works of Carl Orff, the hard-bop of Coltrane and fusion of Weather Report as it is to prog-rock. For physical-media buyers: the Magma Trilogy is an excellent introduction: 3CD's: two albums and one live recording. Tho' even better might be getting the "Magma Live" album on vinyl: for that analogue-typical 'band-playing-in-your-room' upfront sound. Another highly-recommended live recording is the DVD "Mythes et Legendes" vol. III (vol 3 had better audio-quality than previous volumes). As you say yourself: they're still active: playing some gigs in London & Paris this year!

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Saw them live last year in Oslo, was incredible!

[@oddmundjensen]

I was there too

[@JohnDrumming]

Hey great vid, you sum up really well the concept behind this group ! I'm french haha and I already saw Magma in concert with another great french band, Gong, what a great night ! Anyway, I subscribed to your channel and I can't wait for new videos 😉

[@progrock]

Wow, magma and gong in one night! Glad you liked it, more on the way.

[@JohnDrumming]

@@progrock Yeah but with the new gong lineup, without Daevid Allen, sadly he passed away a few months later.

[@BaldJean]

@@progrock According to an interview with Christian Vander they often played at the same festivals, but they were never both good. Either Magma were good, then Gong were bad, or Gong were good, then Magma were bad. When Gong had been bad they said "we need to play more structured", when Magma had been bad they said "we need to improvise more". Interestingly both bands claimed to come from another planet, but these planets could not be more different.

[@alteredstazeakahullabelew2495]

Very KOOL stuff...somehow I missed this one. Dude this rocks

[@wesleyb1458]

I don’t know if it’s prog, but I know it’s beautiful and moving and inspirational

[@obediahabisua2962]

Magma is such a great band

[@Shadowbannddiscourse]

Rad video man. I wrote about Rene and also wrote a out Mauricia Platon on my black history of rock page I've got more from the Zuhel . Magma is underrated Vander is a really nice guy

[@JCamm66]

I've been listening to Magma since I was 14. And that was the last year I didn't flunk my grade in school. Maybe smoking weed every day is too frequent? But that's not what my dog told me in Zeuhl.

[@popeyesailor9571]

I love their music

[@Jordan-ez2gn]

amazing video but you should try to sound less mellow. I love the stuff that you do man!

[@punishedvenomdeat8153]

This is the type of music Yakub listened too.

[@DenisPetrov1980]

A unique phenomenon

[@patreekotime4578]

Just came here after rewatching the Jodorowsky's Dune documentary and I noticed that either Jodorowsky or Moebius himself must have been inspired by the Magma logo to create the spiked headgear for the Emperor. I dont know anything about this band outside of that docu, but it seems insane and cool!

[@d3lt452]

it would be awesome if you put a small list of the songs used in this video. I already know some but the ones at the beginning sound really interesting, especially the ones around 0:40, 1:05 and 1:45 . either way, amazing video man!

[@ItahGlao1]

Sckxyxs Nau Ektila and then Sckxyxs again (from their first album)

[@bistredehomard2123]

I really love this band.One of the best but unfortunately one of the most underrated

[@timbrennan8925]

Thanks - great overview! Could you do one on Gong?

[@progrock]

Goood suggestion! I have something coming up very soon for you.

[@chriswakefield9538]

I wouldn't call Nursery Cryme a concept album.

[@pal-of-pals]

Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh is one of my all time favourite albums

[@Z-eb]

5:41 : are there a link to this performance ??! i`ve been a fan since 2004 and NEVER seen this before, again thanks for cool videos, keep em coming ;)

[@progrock]

I believe that clip is from a venue called Fabrik in Hamburg, 1974. I've only found a very short video clip of it, but I've heard there is a cassette around of this performance from that day. If i am able to find it online I'll make sure to share it!

[@Z-eb]

@@progrock thanks, i recently found the best pre MDK concert ever heard (I`ve heard probably over 100 "pirates" or bootlegs. the frenchies are so hush hush when it comes to these, but they all collect them, but never shares, sometimes we are lucky though like this time: musictravellers.blogspot.com/2020/03/magma-1972-11-09-toulouse.html

[@dajecm]

I would like to see a video about Banco del Mutuo Soccorso

[@ImperatorGrausam]

Great video!!! I'd love to see a video on Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I consider them the kings of the rock opera.

[@mememememer]

This band is so cool that they made their own language

[@Olive-gd3wn]

The christian vander father maurice vander was a great jazz pianist who introduced to his soon other great american jazz musicians.

[@mescalineformule4]

You can see them next for their 50th anniversary, I've heard some tickets are left...

[@mescalineformule4]

www.magmamusic.org/fr/concerts/

[@matijakrunic7498]

One key thing must be added to this video: They owe their composotional style in greatest part to 1917's Stravinsky Les Noces. The FIRST ZEUHL album -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-ldX2EfcqNo9E -- Greatest band ever, vive Magma!

[@sebastienvanderkwast385]

Please, please, have some passion ! Your criticism is heard but it feels like you're doing a documentary. Magma is an emotional story. Passion for over 50 years, show it please !

[@salvalef]

Eloy- the kings of concept

[@СемёнСемёнов-ы1ь]

Da Zeuhl Wortz Mekanik! Magma is among the most important bands of the XX century. They are so colossal in their size and influence, that we are still standing in their shadow. That's why we can't see their full scale and depth level of legacy. This will be discovered only with time by our posterity.

[@edljnehan2811]

They kind of remind me of gong😮

[@frankfertier34]

same period, both bands had briliant drummers (Pip Pyle, Pierre Moerlen) funny enough the actual soundboard guy is ex Gong's soundman.

[@mimizone]

❤️

[@abaf209]

Thanks for this great video ! Which album would you advice to begin with Magma ?

[@progrock]

I think Mëkanïk Dëstruktïẁ Kömmandöh is a good place to start. It's probably my favorite album of theirs, it's fairly polished and probably the album that received the most critical acclaim, for what it's worth. Aside from that one, think that 'Udu Wudu' is one of the more accessible albums for new listeners.

[@abaf209]

@@progrock Thank you 👍

[@sicko_the_ew]

I'd say there's no question that Magma are, and were progressive. Whether they're a rock band, a jazz band, or something entirely of their own creation might be less definitely clear. I know that one of the things Tim Smith managed before the medical emergency that ruined his life was to go and see Magma live in France. (The whole band went together to the show.) The Tim Smith of *Cardiacs* . Now whether or not Cardiacs were progressive is no open and shut case either way, I'd say. They also made their own little universe. I'd say their most prog song (maybe the only one some would admit) is *The Everso Closely Guarded Line* , at the end of the *On Land and in the Sea* album (which sounds like everything belongs as part of some whole on it, but is actually their "Leftoverture"). Here's a link to the album, anyway. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jISbZX-kmKp2eLc (Whatever it is, I think it's all-spectacular, but there are also some people who very strongly despise their music. - but then I suppose that's the way we all go?)

[@jeanmichelmoulin7532]

This is not prog. This is Zeuhl.

[@sicko_the_ew]

@@jeanmichelmoulin7532On second thoughts, yes, you're right. I could claim to be using it as a description of a quality, rather than of the name of the subset it's in, but then the idea that Cardiacs might not have that quality (of "progressiveness" - in a broader sense) doesn't make sense, because clearly they did. Maybe I should call the quality something more down to Earth, like, "innovative"? Zeuhl is innovative (and, of course, derived from the spirit of John Coltrane), and so, too, Cardiacs is innovative - each in their own way. So OK, point conceded, if there's anything to concede here.

[@jeanmichelmoulin7532]

It's a bit confusion. I'm using a translator as i'm not fluent in american. Zeuhl wortz is a creation of Magma, meaning music of the forces of the univers, to which several bands today lay claim. Maybe a bit pretentious, but it's the original spirit. Pour le reste je suis d'accord avec vous. Pensée de France. Bye.

[@christiantoma5917]

ive been trying to find that audio clip that is in this video where (i think that its klaus that sings it) klaus says Kruhn but i cant find it anywhere!! someone help me out its at 5:19

[@mijeltv]

Same here...

[@durocherbruno9955]

What year was this video created?

[@80thtasties85]

super feature - thx a lot !!! but - please pronounce all names en francais ! cheers from germany!

[@progrock]

I appreciate it! I'll do my best with that, cheers!

[@m3012y]

could somebody name a few songs by magma that are sung in french?

[@frankfertier34]

at one time some texts were sung "the english way", but it did not last long; all texts being pure meaningful "Kobaïen"

[@Fl4k_Grip]

Put subtitles please

[@johncohen4996]

Anybody know what song and album are featured at 7:19?

[@demianburgos2445]

It's "De Futura" from the álbum "Udu Wudu" .

[@yousefahmad9552]

Man I really digging a ton of websites to get there lyrics and I can't find this specific one called " call from the dark " Can anyone help me ?

[@gean2315]

The only way to get the lyrics of Merci is buying the album, :( i say this bcz im searching on all the internet the lyrics and i never found it, i read this on some old forums of Magma, Call from the Darkness is a song about "death rap*e" in fact, Merci is "six tales about death"

[@alexacruz1782]

Did you still need help? I can help you

[@bobsbigboy_]

Upload a new video babygirl

[@CharlieTourniquet]

Who is the one sole bum who disliked this?

[@sinajakelic]

then put all that aside and you are left with their best work, Zess. be it the new studio recording or any live version, it is Christian’s masterpiece.

[@jarlnystrom2627]

whats the song at 6:20 ?

[@alexacruz1782]

Nebehr Gudahtt, album: Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh

[@Shadowbannddiscourse]

I knew rene and christian were friends but I thought Rene joined kn their 3rd album.

[@robsl18]

What's the song at 7:18

[@kidflersh7807]

De Futura

[@richardlanchester249]

Prog ROCK? Hardly, a better name (if you really have to categorise it) would be "Prog Opera" with jazz and rock influences and instrumentation. Vander's drums are tuned tight like jazz drums and played hard like battlefield artillery-- rather than the boom and thump of rock drums. I saw them twice in London in 1974, at the Roundhouse and the Marquee Club in Soho, both rock venues, but the audiences were totally unprepared for what Magma delivered, a lot of us quite shocked as well as very impressed, and people tripping in the crowd looked like their brains were melting! Hugely impressive, intense in the extreme, among the most amazing gigs of my lifetime. The only other band i ever saw who could match them for literally spine tingling overpowering intensity, was the Double--Trio version of King Crimson ( Fripp, Bruford, Levin, and Belew, Gunn, Mastellotti), who i saw at the House of Blues in Los Angeles in 1999. Also way beyond meaningfully matching a name with limitations like "Roch band"!

[@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms]

Ofc Magma is Prog. Wtf?

[@Perri-Prinz]

I don't think there's any question that it's Prog, if you define Prog as anything goes, and the more inaccessible the better. But this review begs the question, does something being Prog necessarily make it good? I've personally never heard anything from Magma that attracted my attention. And what you describe does not sound appealing. It may be art. It may in some sense be Rock. Though what you seem to be describing is more like Progressive Jazz and Avant Garde. Two things that are not normally my cup of tea. Granted, back in the day if someone had really wanted me to listen to them, I'd have bent over backwards to get into it, much as I did when friends brought me The Residents. Which was interesting only long enough to get a grip on what it was about. But after that there was no musical appeal to sustain interest. Thus I learned that curiosities are short lived, and artistic content is no substitute for appealing music. I like art and innovation, as well as unlikely combinations of musical ideas. But ultimately there must be something there for my soul to connect with. And I have no patience with music that disses my soul as irrelevant. So, yes, it's Prog. But is it good Prog? Is it Prog worth investing money in? And more importantly, how valid is the concept of Prog? Is something that's undeniably art valid if it has no appeal? And how can their be appeal in a concept album sung in a language no one can understand? I mean, I generally avoid operas not sung in English, because I expect to miss the point. I don't necessarily avoid Prog albums sung in French, Italian, German or Japanese because, if the music's good, I don't need to know what they're singing about. But you're not describing music here that I would enjoy, with or without English lyrics. Rather, you're expecting me to buy this music and respect it, simply because it's Prog. And I don't agree with that idea anymore. I don't agree that the most horrible music man has ever come up with deserves to be taking up space on my shelves just because it's Prog. I think Prog should have some standards other than "It's good because it's Prog." I don't think musicians deserve to be rewarded because they got so progressive they doubled themselves over and let their heads disappear up their backsides. I think my money would be better spent on music I can expect to make me feel good.

[@windyhead7960]

I personally think there's a spectrum when it comes to prog, we have the weird, technical side(King Crimson, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Magma, VDGG and to some extent TOOL) and the melodic, digestible side(Genesis, Yes, Rush and to some extent Pink Floyd). For me, the perfect blend are Jethro Tull and Gentle Giant; they're still weird and "prog" but amazingly melodic and pleasant to listen to.

[@henrymach]

I'm not into Magma because it's too jazzy. I simply can't stand jazz

[@bobsbigboy_]

you forgot their influence on Neptunian Maximalism but okay

[@radiognomeinvisible]

What is the song at 3:03?

[@mijeltv]

Stoah

[@durocherbruno9955]

What year was this video created?

[@progrock]

2020

[@ggmike1555]

whats the song at 7:19

[@alexacruz1782]

De Futura, hope you found it alredy

[@ggmike1555]

@@alexacruz1782 i actually did, its better than i expected

[@chriswakefield9538]

What is the song at 00:30?

[@mcgardenshedsofficial]

sckxyss