MEURTRIERES
MEURTRIÊRES “Ronde De Nuit”
By Dr. Abner Mality
MEURTRIÊRES is the French word for “murderers”...appropriate for a band that surely listened to a lot of MAIDEN’s “Killers” in the past. This band specializes in traditional epic metal with a lot of influence from usual suspects IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST, but also bands such as LIEGE LORD, MANILLA ROAD and the like. There’s a very “medieval” feel to this galloping music, which also carries through in the lyrics. Or so I’m told, as they are all in French.
In general, it’s very enjoyable if you like any of the above named bands, but not perfect, The band boasts a female vocalist Fiona, who on first listen has some powerful lungs, But careful listening reveals she seems rather one-note in her approach and can sound rather monotonous. Not to the point where she kills the band, but there’s room for improvement, I feel. The tracks have a lot of energy and that “riding into battle” atmosphere. The song “Tempete-Naufrage” shamelessly knocks off PRIEST’s “Hellion/Electric Eye” in its opening moments, a steal I cannot forgive. And while guitarists Olivier and Flo Spector are great at riffing, their lead work is not going to give MERCYFUL FATE or IRON MAIDEN any sleepless nights.
Still, the likes of the title track, “Rubicon”, and “Alma Mater” make one feel like reaching for sword and shield and heading out to the battlements. MEURTRIÊRES have made a pretty good opening thrust...let’s see how they do over the long haul.