As you know, the cradle of metalreviews.com is Geneva, Switzerland. We are placed a few miles from the French border and we speak ... French. The percentage of bands singing in English - and of course covered by metalreviews.com - must not be far away from 99% (I haven't done the statistics to be honest). So when there is something new around the corner - like Rammstein (with German lyrics) or Tierra Santa (with Spanish lyrics) - we like to put the spotlights on these bands that dare to sing in their mother language. Finally, considering these bands deliver top-notch music, it would be indecent to not help this courageous move.

Malediction is a young French band playing traditional 80's heavy metal, directly influenced by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Esclave Du Vice (Vice's Slave in English) is the second studio album from these French musicians. Being an old fan of Sortilèges, ADX, and Blasphmème (French bands), it took me just one spin to fall in love with this record. Who said nostalgic ? Of course, Malediction's French lyrics painting poetically and sarcastically our society grabbed immediately my attention but this NWOBHM music style is also the other aspect I like in Esclave Du Vice. I must admit that these dark and realistic lyrics of our world made me realize why people get nuts when true metal bands sings about warriors and dragons :) ... but that's another story (or a future editorial).

I like the opener - Dans Ma Mémoire - where the listener enters in contact with Malediction's singer, Sylvain Mollard. If you like Midnight's voice (ex-Crimson Glory singer), you will appreciate Sylvain's voice. I learned that Sylvain is a King Diamond's fan and without replicating his vocal (who can ?), the direct influence of King Diamond and Midnight make no doubts as Sylvain like to sing on high pitched grounds (sometimes too much as far as I am concerned). There are no weak tracks on Esclave Du Vice and I need to mention the excellent Absynthe (reminding me the best moments of Blasphème), the "Priestish" Justice Assassine (if you understand French, you must check these lyrics my friends), the "Maidenish" Conspirations, Hérésie and the title track Esclave Du Vice. Last but not least, the guitarist Mathieu Poulain does a hell of job with his instrument through out the album. If you are a fan of the above-mentioned band, I highly recommend you to check Esclave Du Vice.

Two thumbs up for this French heavy metal surprise !!!