Howling Metal, s'il vous plaît

Time to bash your ears again with an explosion of raw music. With a French touch.

Métal!

Most readers wouldn't be surprised that the French metal scene exists, but there is a saying that goes Nul n'est prophète en son pays meaning that it is sometimes harder to gain recognition in your own homeland. This saying is particularly true for French metal as most French-speakers tend to think of it as a pale imitation of American heavy metal. Nothing could be further from the truth.

French metal has a unique je-ne-sais-quoi. A distinct flavor in the lyrics. Rich like red wine.
The songs abound with double entendre and are often socially engaged and enraged.
 
Enough talking. Let me introduce you to some of the leading misfits.

MASNADA - Metal's most underrated band ever

Their album Maîtres du Je is a true gem. Unfortunately the band never quite came into its own. They remained underground even in France. C’est triste, as they are on par with the biggest bands, French or otherwise. To this day, that’s two decades after and counting, their album still stands as a monument of creativity for the music and the completeness of its concept.

LOFOFORA - King of the ring

Lofofora is nothing short of being the biggest name in French metal for the last 20 years. My personal favorite: Vice et Râle. Getting the drift about the double entendre now? You might wanna check out the lyrics for this song. They are exquisitely libertine to say the least.

This post doesn't delve into subgenres such as gothic, death or black metal. So no mention of, well the more obscure bands. Pun intended :)