Metal Storm logo
Malediction - Condamnés review



Reviewer:
9.0

2 users:
9.5
Band: Malediction
Album: Condamnés
Style: Heavy metal
Release date: June 2001
Guest review by: Ch'ti


01. Prince Des Ténèbres
02. Le Fils De Satan
03. Condamné
04. Le Masque De Fer
05. L'Horloge
06. L'Ange Noir
07. Apocalypse
08. Les Enfants De L'Ombre [ADX cover]

A classic of French heavy metal too quickly forgotten from an equally neglected band.

First album from the late Malediction, Condamnés is a heavy metal LP which, although released in 2001, resembles a heavy album from the 80s, from its style right down to its cover.

Honestly, these 43 minutes of music are nothing but pleasure. Because the album manages to perfectly appropriate the characteristics of the genre, it does not disappoint. The drums are classic, the bass and guitars, on the other hand, offer powerful and striking riffs. The solos are particularly striking, notably the solo at the end of the track "Le Fils De Satan", which is probably my favorite track on the album.

The vocals are in French, which is generally not the case in metal. The mix of the 80s style with the singer's high pitched voice may bring to mind old French heavy metal bands like Trust or Sortilège, two legendary bands that likely could have influenced Malediction. In any case, with Condamnés, the band follows in their footsteps. From the beginning to the end of this album, there is not a breather, even less a filler, from the track "Prince Des Ténèbres" to the excellent cover of the band ADX, they did not miss.

Frankly, I think that this album is one of my favorite French metal albums, and I think that Malediction could have been one of the best French metal bands with Gojira, Gorod, or even Alcest, if only the band hadn't broken up only 10 years after its creation.

All that is to say that Condamnés is an essential of French metal, and that the band deserves a place in the pantheon of heavy metal. It saddens me that they were only able to release two LPs.

Written by Ch'ti | 12.11.2024




Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.


Comments

Comments: 3   Visited by: 7 users
12.11.2024 - 19:25
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Parlou boy franchise, parlou englausse.
In English since Ms rules demands it. I don't speak French, I speak English.
80s French metal was good, maybe not best studio work and production, but as metal it was good, big error maybe was French lyrics. Many bands survived 90s and still are active and get second glory in old days.
Nightmare, Lonewolf, Manigance, Vulcain, XYZ, Excess, Warning (FRA) and bunch other
----
I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.

Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"

I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
12.11.2024 - 19:46
Rating: 9
Ch'ti
Written by Bad English on 12.11.2024 at 19:25

Parlou boy franchise, parlou englausse.
In English since Ms rules demands it. I don't speak French, I speak English.
80s French metal was good, maybe not best studio work and production, but as metal it was good, big error maybe was French lyrics. Many bands survived 90s and still are active and get second glory in old days.
Nightmare, Lonewolf, Manigance, Vulcain, XYZ, Excess, Warning (FRA) and bunch other

It's true that it's difficult for a french band to sing in french, but bands like Sortilège, Véhémence, Les Discrets, Celeste, Alcest, Pensées Nocturnes or Outre-Tombe still managed to survive even thought they didn't sing in english, and let's not talk about bands that have lyrics in scandinavian languages, polish, even in ancient greek (Ὁπλίτης). But I do agree that it's harder as a band to survive if the lyrics are not in english.
Loading...
12.11.2024 - 20:36
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Written by Ch'ti on 12.11.2024 at 19:46

Written by Bad English on 12.11.2024 at 19:25

Parlou boy franchise, parlou englausse.
In English since Ms rules demands it. I don't speak French, I speak English.
80s French metal was good, maybe not best studio work and production, but as metal it was good, big error maybe was French lyrics. Many bands survived 90s and still are active and get second glory in old days.
Nightmare, Lonewolf, Manigance, Vulcain, XYZ, Excess, Warning (FRA) and bunch other

It's true that it's difficult for a french band to sing in french, but bands like Sortilège, Véhémence, Les Discrets, Celeste, Alcest, Pensées Nocturnes or Outre-Tombe still managed to survive even thought they didn't sing in english, and let's not talk about bands that have lyrics in scandinavian languages, polish, even in ancient greek (Ὁπλίτης). But I do agree that it's harder as a band to survive if the lyrics are not in english.

I would say yes but Spanish has same problem. Many good HM, PM bands but cant tour so much as should due language.
----
I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.

Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"

I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...

Hits total: 372 | This month: 372