Band:	Feu Grégeois
Album:	Francorum Regnum Hierosolymorum
Style:	Black metal, Death metal
Release date:	2007

01. Fulfillment [instrumental version]
02. Hiervsalem
03. Montgisard
04. Praeludium Desastrum [instrumental version]
05. Horns Of Hattin

With their name meaning "Greek Fire" (a kind of burning liquid used by the Byzantine empire during naval wars because water didn't extinguish it), lyrics based on Crusades themes and their symphonic heavy death metal with atmospheres nodding to the likes of Bal-Sagoth, the young French band Feu Grégeois go straight to the point on their second demo.

Their music is heavily influenced by big-budget movie soundtracks, a characteristic that makes this demo quite a visual piece of music. The orchestrations are the major source of inspiration for the band, and they are constantly used to set the epic mood and create dramatic atmospheres: listening to the instrumental introduction, you can actually see massive medieval armies triumphantly marching to the next battleground.

Things are rather different on the three proper songs. Unlike what one would expect, the music is guitar-based, with the keyboards being used just to emphasize the theatrical side and medieval themes of the songs. The orchestrations are still omnipresent, but they don't cover the rest of the instruments. This is an approach which reminds a bit of Therion, while the rather simple yet efficient guitar work clearly reminds me of both Bal-Sagoth and Septic Flesh. The latter also seems to have influenced the - very good - vocals.

The last two songs introduce a new direction based on Middle Eastern atmospheres and faster guitars, with fewer heavy metal influences and a stronger symphonic black metal vibe. Again, the work on the orchestrations is very good and shows a surprising maturity coming from such a young band. Whereas a lot of more confirmed, professional bands tend to act like kids receiving a new toy, and water down their music with too many keyboards when given the opportunity, Feu Grégeois scattered these interventions at thoughtful intervals and never let those bombastic passages take over the rest of the music, let alone be the main focal point of the songs.

The only things I can hold against this demo are the very few production issues which relegate the vocals too much in the background and kind of flatten the guitars, and a certain lack of memorable moments. Though this release displays strong hints of talent for epic battle metal, and that is enough to make me wait for their next release.

Meanwhile, it would be a good idea for the band to make their music more available, for instance through a website or a myspace page. For now, you can only get this demo at heaume-productions@wanadoo.fr