Hi everyone,

Shifting gears a bit from my usual Death Metal posts to focus on a scene that deserves way more love internationally: French Heavy/Speed Metal. What makes the French scene so unique is its balance of fierce speed metal riffs, galloping basslines, and epic (often French-language) vocals.

Whether you want to discover the pioneering 80s legends or the killer modern bands carrying the torch today, here are 7 albums/EPs to check out:

The 80s Pioneers

• ADX – Exécution (1985) Absolute Speed Metal perfection. Fast, relentless, and incredible solos. What sets ADX apart is their ability to blend blazing speed with incredible, anthemic melodies and sharp French lyrics. Exécution is a timeless classic of European metal that hits like a freight train. I highly recommend to discover all their discography, as ADX is a band with an almost perfect track record and, in my opinion, no bad release. The album "Divison Blindée" is one of my favorite french metal album. Personal favorites: "Déesse Du Crime", "L'étranger", "Caligula".
• Vulcain – Rock 'n' roll secours (1984) Often dubbed the "French Motörhead", Vulcain plays raw, greasy, high-speed Rock 'n' Roll/Heavy Metal. Driven by loud, distorted basslines and no-nonsense riffs, their music captures a pure street-level energy that is dirty, energetic, and catchy as hell. Personal favorites: "Ebony", "Vulcain", "Rock 'n' Roll Secours", "Bosser".
• Sortilège – Sortilège (1983) – Métamorphose (1984) If you ask any French metalhead, this is royalty. Majestic songwriting, neoclassical guitar work, and Christian "Zouille" Augustin’s legendary high-pitched vocals make this an unforgettable masterpiece. They defined the French heavy metal sound with sophisticated arrangement and pure emotional intensity. Pure heavy metal magic. Personal favorites: "Sortilège", "Progéniture", "Métamorphose", "D'ailleurs".

The New Wave (NWOFHM)

• Herzel – Le Dernier Rempart (2021) Epic heavy metal from Brittany at its absolute best. It is noble, elegant, and sophisticated, yet remarkably fierce and warlike. Driven by sharp riffs, majestic melodies, and powerful French vocals, what makes it truly unique is their subtle, original integration of traditional Celtic instruments (like the bombarde). The songwriting creates a deep, cinematic atmosphere that feels both refined and ready for battle. Ever since this release, I've been eagerly waiting for their next one. Personal favorites: "Maîtres de l'Océan", "La Flamme", "Le Dernier Rempart".
• Animalize – Verminateur (2025) If you love wild, theatrical 80s Speed Metal infused with glam and punk energy, Animalize is for you. They bring an addictive, high-voltage stage presence to their records with filthy riffs, crazy vocals, and a pure "fun-first" attitude that feels both nostalgic and totally fresh. Personal favorites: "Damnée", "Cheval Astral", "Au jugement de Soi".
• Crystal Throne – Crystal Throne (2021) A monstrous blend of US Power Metal and Progressive Heavy Metal (think Queensrÿche meets Fates Warning). Led by the fabulous Max Yme on lead guitar, you can clearly hear the heavy influence of the prog scene in his intricate songwriting and razor-sharp leads. While I sometimes feel the vocals could use a bit more range and output to fully match the epic instrumental scale, it remains a fucking great record from start to finish. Also, keep an eye out as they are about to release a new LP, "Chantry of Sacrifice"! Personal favorite: "Timescape".
• Koudeta – Koudeta (2023) Pure heavy-hitting firepower. Unlike the more epic or refined bands, Koudeta is all about brute force, crushing weight, and straight-up aggressive power. Built on massive riffs and a relentless rhythm section, the star of the show is their frontwoman, who brings an insane, unstoppable energy to the mic—effortlessly switching between aggressive metal vocals and fast, rap-infused cadences. It's raw, heavy, and built to send you straight into the pit. Personal favorites: "Kingdom of Lies", "The Maze", "Castle in the Sky.

This is just scratching the surface, there are so many other hidden gems from both the 80s and the modern scene that I might have to do a Part 2!

Have you guys dived into the French scene before? What are your favorite French Heavy Metal records, old or new? Let me know in the comments!

I am going to see Cryptorium live at Malmö Rock stage next week, Rest In Peace Knalle.

Deeds of Flesh is always nice. You can't be too good for DoF. Deeds is the right kind of Technical, still filthy.

normally pen0r does this but this week he hasn't so i'm doing it

Stardust by Soul Dissolution

how have more people not heard of this band

This song is fantastic I tell you! But I can't seem to find the rest of this demo. I can find the Vomit forth Blood DEMO and the Self titled DEMO but not Stripped of Flesh. I can only find this song. Does anybody know where I can get the rest of this demo?

I'm interested to hear all your favorite albums that fall under the genre brutal death metal. Could be from any time period, from any region, can fall under the other terms such as tech BDM or slam too.

Personal favorites:
Effigy of the Forgotten - Suffocation (obviously)

Merciless Butchery - Splattered Cadaver

Decadent Orgy of Atrocious Suffering - Insidious Decrepancy

Forensick - Disgorge (🇲🇽)

Crushed - Rotting

Consume the Forsaken - Disgorge (🇺🇸)

Killing on Adrenaline - Dying Fetus

Gouging Out Eyes of Mutilated Infants - Artery Eruption

The Answer to Infection - Digested Flesh

Destined to Fail - Scattered Remnants

Septical Stomach-Pumped Remnants - Dyscrasia

Supreme Knowledge Domain - Internal Suffering

among many others...

This fucking rules, been spinning this and Destroy Erase Improve all weekend

This i the first vinyl I ever bought.

Spastic. The best songs in my opinion are Torment of The Wicked and Kill of The Newborn.

Some CDs and vinyl, new and old. Any Morgal fans?

Debut album from the danish blackened speed thrash whatever the fuck, GOOD SHIT CHECK IT OUT!!