You know when you hear a song, and then don’t catch who it is, and it drives you mad trying to explain it to people? ‘Urrr….it’s French, and it’s really good heavy metal’, was all I could offer, and a bit later, ‘um, maybe they were wearing denims’. ‘…. Sortilege?’, someone might suggest. Noooo, not those sentimental put-your-lighters-in-the air purveyors of horrible romantic ballads, I’d reply. Well, anyway, long-story-short I finally worked out after four years that the song was by French heavy metal band CITADELLE, and it is the track La Mort on their excellent self-titled EP. Other than that, they are a mystery to me.
Their only recording, the EP ‘Citadelle’ is musically restrained, but they are very good players – I really like the way they move around the guitars – and the tracks are a good mix of original technicality, sing-along anthems and fist-in-the-air Crusader heavy metal. Impressive!
A FAILED INTERVIEW
I was so keen to get some more information that I was prepared for the non-interview to be conducted in French. Not sure why I’m telling you this, probably just to fill up some space with words, but I hitch-hiked up through France from Biarritz to Strasbourg when I was young, thick skinned and bold ( it was natural at that age, when you’re older you have to remind yourself to be stupidly-thick-skinned sometimes ) and managed to get by with what I learned at school, and was even congratulated on my accent. In France! But christ, these days – after two decades of living in the middle of England – I can barely remember any French at all, and when I go there, I end up feeling about as Gallic-ally engaged as a member of the English Defence League. Si humiliant!
But, anyway, Max ( guitarist / singer and presumed band leader ) agreed to the interview. I crafted some questions, sent them, and after a few days silence he messaged to inform that after all, alas, the band had decided to call it a day. So no interview, and nothing for you to read. Pas terrible! I almost feel responsible! But maybe Max will come back in some other way with a new band? Who knows. For now, check out their appearance at Pyrenean Metal Warriors Festival 2018, and if this band is new to your ears, see what you missed.
Old Man's Mettle 