Sortilege [LP]

When French heavy metal band Sortilège formed in 1981, they followed in the footsteps of their fellow countrymen Trust. Musically, however, the group from the Paris suburbs forged a style all their own: pure heavy metal, largely untouched by the punk, blues, or progressive rock influences common among many French bands of the era. After changing their name from Blood Wave to Sortilège, the classic lineup-Christian Augustin ""Zouille"" (vocals), Daniel Lapp (bass), Jean-Philippe ""Bob Snake"" Dumont (drums), Didier Demajean (guitar), and Stéphane Dumont (guitar)-recorded their self-titled debut EP for the Dutch label Rave-On Records in 1983. The release was met with enthusiastic praise from both fans and critics, leading to high-profile support slots with Samson and Def Leppard. Their debut full-length album, Métamorphose, followed in 1984. Two years later, the band recorded it's successor, Larmes de Héros (Hero's Tears). Widely regarded as Sortilège's finest album, Larmes de Héros showcased a more mature and sophisticated sound. Today, the album remains a landmark release and a defining statement of French heavy metal in the mid-1980s.