French Metal Friday: Existance-Steel Alive

Mausoleum Records
2014 

It's been awhile, but French metal band Existance are finally releasing their long-awaited and highly-anticipated debut album. The last time we checked in with this young act (which incidentally features  vocalist/guitarist Julian Izard who, as the son of H-Bomb's Didier Izard, has heavy metal flowing through his veins!) was w-a-y back in 2012. At that time the band, which was formed back in 2008 and whose sound could just as easily be compared to N.W.O.B.H.M greats of old (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Blitzkrieg, Saxon, Demon, etc) as classic French heavy acts up to and including H-Bomb(!), had recently seen their 2011, self-released and self-titled, demo re-released by High Roller Records and many of us thought that these young French metalheads (which now features the additional line-up of guitarist Antoine Poiret, bass guitarist Thomas Drouin and drummer Alexandre Revillon) would soon enough be making a real name for themselves and tearing apart the scene!!! So, when their full-length debut album didn't materialize right away something just didn't sit right with fans and supporters (of which I'd like to count myself as being both!) alike and we were left scratching our heads as to how and why this band wasn't under the bright lights and on every one's lips and minds! Whatever the reason for the delay though the wait sure as hell was well worth it as the aptly-titled "Steel Alive" (Get it?) simply slays the dragon my friends! This 11-track MONSTER of a METAL release was recorded and mixed at Boss Hog Studios in Ham en Artois, France with Maor Appelbaum (Anvil, Dokken, Halford, Malmsteen, Sepultura) handling the mastering job.Production-wise it's spot on and music-wise? Starting with "Legends Never Die" (a number that slowly works it's way forward before going full-force into power metal, via Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, territory!) the band takes up the challenge of representing a scene that gave us legends like Trust, Nightmare, Vulcain, Warning, ADX and of course H-Bomb! As the album moves forward (and Julian Izard proves he's just as strong of a vocalist as his father!) it's a remarkable accomplishment, but it seems to grows stronger with good numbers like"Black Viper" and "The Siren" giving way to ABSOLUTE crushing riff-rockers like "Dead Or Alive" (which is simply wicked with it's phenomenal lead guitar work!), "Slaughter" and "Burning Angel". That's not to say that opener "Legends Never Die" is anything other then top-of-the-line heavy metal as it does more then just get the job done! It's a solid way to start off a release that (from the start to when the creepy "From Hell" wraps things up in style!) is both a homage to classic heavy metal and a statement that here are still (younger) acts out there that will gladly wave the banner of all things "loud & proud" like this talented four-piece! But, onward we should match and the track "Burning Angel", while (only slightly) a bit slower and more melodic, shows off the band's maturity as songwriters while the title cut is simply top-notch epic metal! Then there is the track "Get Away". With it's nice and heavy back-drop (thanks in no small to the skill-level of bass guitarist Thomas Drouin and drummer Alexandre Revillon!) "Get Away" is old-school, hard & heavy magic, made with love and appreciation from a band that has greatness well-within it's reach! "Prisoner" is more Iron Maiden-inspired power metal (nothing wrong with that folks!) and with the speed metal great "Close to the End" and "From Hell" (a bit Blitzkrieg-like all around) wrapping things up rather nicely "Steel Alive" (again, clever title and one that I just love!) proves to a great debut-album for this French act and a release that should fill the gap in your collection rather nicely if your a fan of all things classic heavy metal and N.W.O.B.H.M.! Find out more about this talent-laden French lot at their Facebook page below and you can read my review of their (sweet ass) self-titled release right here:http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/03/existance-existance.html

https://www.facebook.com/existanceband

Existance-Existance

High Roller Records
2012



I have been neglecting my French Metal Friday posts so I thought as a way of making it up to everyone I'd cover this young band. By now most people should know that High Roller Records is the home of mostly traditional minded heavy metal and NWOBHM acts. Existance would fall somewhere in between those two styles although they are far too young a band to have seen the heyday of either of those genres. Formed in 2008 in a small town called Clermont (situated approximately 60 kilometres north of Paris for those who are interested) the band's first recorded output was a 2010 demo which was used to book concerts. A second 8-track demo was released in 2011 with the goal of shopping it about to get a record deal. In the end the band signed with High Roller Records who choose to release the 2011 demo pretty much as it was. Despite the fact that it was originally a promotional demo in nature the production and overall quality was that good that no changes were needed. That should say something about these eight tracks as High Roller Records is not some fly by night operation. Instead the label deals in top notch heavy metal so if no real touch-ups were needed to the album you know it is killer stuff. With High Roller Records behind them all the way the band choose to simply call the album "Existance" and I can't begin to express just how superb the end product is. The album easily reflects the band's influences and roots (more on that in a second) while showcasing a sound that is all their own. Existance is lead by vocalist/guitarist Julian Izard (the son of H-Bomb's Didier Izard) and includes guitarist Fred Labasque and bassist Tom Drouin. The drum parts were done by Laurent Louvrier. All four musicians bring their "A" game to the album. With French heavy metal running in Julian Izard's blood it would be easy enough to point out the similarities between H-Bomb and Existance. One could even argue that Existance is just the next evolution in French heavy metal and the logical progression from classic French heavy metal bands like Trust, Nightmare, Vulcain, Warning or ADX. With such a rich history to draw on I have no doubt that Existance would feel honored to be mentioned in the same breath as these greats. That said this young band has more in common with fellow High Roller Records label mate's Agincourt than H-Bomb. For one thing Existance sing in English (unlike many French bands of old) and draw upon British metal more than their fellow French metal bands. Existance have a sound rich in eighties heavy metal having already drawn comparisons to bands like the Tygers of Pan Tang, Iron Maiden, Hammer Fall, Saxon, Hammerhead (I caught nods of appreciation towards these cult rockers), Iron Maiden and the Scorpions. Speaking of the Scorpions it should be noted that Julian Izard has been compared to Klaus Meine as they both have that classic hard rock style. So, from the Scorpions to H-Bomb there are many bands that have helped to shape the very unique sound of Existance. Here's hoping that just like the classic bands of old they were inspired by these young French rockers have a nice long career ahead of them. I'd love to see the group have long staying power which would allow them the opportunity to fine tone their sound. This self-titled debut is a great addition for traditional heavy metal collectors as well as those into the French scene. Hopefully I can pick up a copy of their album as this is one release I want to have in more than just digital format.