ALBUM REVIEW: Meurtrières – Ronde De Nuit

Following a single mini-LP, French traditional Heavy Metal revivalists MEURTRIÈRES recently delivered their debut album via Gates Of Hell Records.

Melodic guitars and pounding rhythms fire into life with a sense of adventure immediately enshrouding all that they do. Haunting vocals ethereally blend into the mystic riffing and formidable cymbal work, tastefully mixed without overproducing anything. As my introduction to this band, those first moments are key and leave an impression with their archaic magic. The epic nature of this music is conveyed beautifully while there is a sense of melancholy that seems inseparable from French Heavy Metal bands, both new and old, giving a rich dynamic to their sound. Meurtrières utilise their entire lineup to glorious effect with excellent bass lines punching through the harmonious and vibrant guitar playing. Meanwhile the drums are always busy giving tasteful flare to classic beats and the vocals are truly stunning. For a band only on their debut album, it feels like Meurtrières have already found their sound, which is rare so early into ones career. Let’s hope this bold approach remains throughout.

Although refined, there are some sloppy moments but in a way that lends character to the record, accentuating that old school feel. Sometimes little imperfections actually make a record stand out more, and I think here that is the case due to them being very minor and most elements fitting perfectly in place. Heavy Metal is a genre about feel, which this has in abundance. Blending sheer battery with these dancing melodies and exciting rhythmic changes, every adventurous step is gripping with a beautiful performance and picturesque soundscape. While the progressions are bewitching, there is plenty of simple groove and subtlety to keep things hammering at a steady pace throughout. This mixture lends to the band feeling more experienced than their mere five years of existence may lead you to believe. Evidently they work wonderfully as a unit together to craft such songs.

Every moment packs a punch, from the more raunchy title track, to its more melodious surroundings, every track forges into the next excellently, moving in an organic yet energetic manner. The actual running order feels like exceptionally close attention to detail was paid, making the album a pleasure to listen to on repeat. Growing peaks and slumbering into the depths for many a conquest, this battle-hardened tome is a cut of real metallic magic that shall not allow your escape once you are befallen by its mystic charms. A terrific tale of tragedy and terror that lurks in the medieval days, steeped in doomed fates yet with that ever-sublime sense of fantasy at the heart of everything. The visual aspect of this album conjured in the mind by the impassioned sounds feed into the all-consuming experience that is provided. Bestowing us with outstanding Heavy Metal right until the end, Meurtrières will certainly not disappoint or fail to hold your attention if you love this music and feel ready to be plunged into a somewhat darkened yet still exhilarating take on the genre. I, for one, am deeply impressed.

A majestic and unique debut album that feels classic while avoiding rehashing or simple worship territory. Meurtrières blend the epic, the melodic and everything truly Heavy Metal to a very satisfying outcome that deserves your attention. Feeling like a lost gem of the past while remaining relevant and captivating, “Ronde De Nuit” is a magnificent debut record.