XML FeedsToby's band of the week - High Power
By Toby on May 27, 2010 | In Background, Features, Features, Features | Send feedback »
Up until now, I’ve kept my recommendations limited to bands that are current, active and likely to be “coming to a town near you.” But today I’m feeling rather backward (make of that what you will), so I’ve decided to cast my ear to the heavy metal heartbeat of the past, for some ‘Metal Francais’ of the highest order!
During the early 1980's, as heavy metal grew up and worked out where it was headed, most countries had their own take on what the sound was - France was certainly no exception.
Bands like Sortilege, Satan Jokers, Blaspheme, Attentat Rock, Vulcain, Warning and Strattson all headed a credible (yet relatively un-exported) scene in their homeland. However, whilst records from each of these fine acts are firmly nestled in my collection, my absolute ‘groupe premiere’ has to be the brilliant High Power from Bordeaux.
Musically, they’re fairly typical of the period; up-tempo NWOBHM-inspired twin guitar attacks, driving basslines, tasteful solos and high-end/high-energy, soaring vocals. They also throw some classical elements into the riff/solo structuring, which allows the music to firmly wedge itself in your skull. Believe me, after a couple of listens to ‘Cauchemar’ from their debut, you’ll be singing along with the solo, note-for-note. They’re not afraid to put some very 80’s synth parts into the mix either (akin to the keyboard that appeared on a lot of Neat singles at the time). But this is very much as an atmospheric addition to their sound and in no way a bad thing.
As with a lot of material coming out of France during this period, High Power sang in their native tongue (and to be fair, this is probably why most of the bands never made anything more than a minor splash outside of their home country). However, for me, this is something that makes the overall listening experience all the more enjoyable, as there's a childlike innocence which creeps into you whilst making tuneful noises along to lyrics that you really don’t understand!
The band only managed to release 2 albums; ‘High Power’ in ‘83 and ‘Les Violons De Satan’ 3 years later. Each are very worthy of your hard-earned cash (especially for the cracking/bizarre artwork) if you can track them down on Ebay.
Sadly singer Patrick Malbos died in 1991, so there’s no chance of a reunion a la the recent activity of Satan Jokers, Vulcain and Blaspheme. You’ll therefore just have to make do with the aforementioned records, and savour the best thing to come out of Bordeaux since wine!
For more info on High Power see www.myspace.com/highpower1
You can find their reissued debut through Brennus Records.
For those of you interested in delving further into the French scene of olde, check the brilliant France Metal Museum
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