NWOTHM/Speed Metal
France

Released 10th of July, 2026

Apart from the elephant (or more metaphorically, the whale) in the room, French metal doesn’t get to come by me that much. Even though the wealth of artists from across the Channel is staggering, it’s on me for not keeping up with my neighbours.

This is my first exposure to IRON SLAUGHT and, considering the two piece are based 40km from the Spanish border, one would be forgiven for expecting some of that flavour. Not the case, as METALLIC TORMENTS has a frigid, blackened heart and a Germanic ear for power metal around a fiercely French soul.

The instrumental opening track, HARBINGER OF AFFLICTIONS (PRELUDE TO TORMENTS) is a sharing platter of NWOTHM licks and riffs to whet the appetite before the all out thrash of GHASTLY OBSESSION. With the savage approach akin to the earliest days of Slayer, Death Angel and Testament, the pleasant confusion continues into THE EXECUTIONER. Fast, frantic and dripping with raw menace.

It all seemed like I read the room wrong, until SOLDIER OF FORTUNE set my mind at ease firing off classic trad metal drumming and galloping guitars. Even the clean singing completely threw me off balance. Singer and guitarist IRON JÉRÉMY has got quite an impressive vocal range, flitting between raw bark and clean classic metal styles with each song effortlessly, while bassist NIKRASS has solid, stable bass tone and skill that entwines and adds colour to proceedings.

At this point on, IRON SLAUGHT were well settled into classic power/speed metal territory, similar to classic Helloween. CONDAMNÉ POUR L’ÉTERNITÉ saddled rough ‘n ready with clear and precise metal like a trooper. The musicality is hard to ignore and easy to digest, where solo work is structured to the songs narratives in enjoyable ways. The song is also the first on the album sung completely in French, and like its slow burning follow up, CHARME FUNESTE, it is a language that fits well.

Finishing the album, the Venom-esque verses on the penultimate PRIMAL CONQUEST plow through the senses, with a quality display of lead guitar.

The closer, though, is a true NWOTHM tour de force.

FATAL RETALIATIONS begins with a sublime clean guitar arpeggio that beckons some thoughtful, lullaby style lead work and subtle bass, before all the forces of metal are rallied into one final push into power metal regality. Eight and a half minutes of everything you could ever need from a classic heavy metal song.
Galloping passages, ear worm riffs, melodic fills and a structure as solid and proven.
Choosing a more guttural vocal approach is a master stroke, as it pulls the song away from being “just another heavy metal anthem to heavy metal”. Although a clean voice heralds the ending of FATAL RETALIATIONS, the blackened singing style that precedes it makes for a thoroughly modern, progressive clique.

I came to this album with high hopes, and I’m not sure why, but those expectations were exceeded. Given that the logo, cover and general aesthetic of the package is nothing new, the old adage about judging books rings loud and clear on METALLIC TORMENTS.
An album made by those with an itch to get their sound out that us, the listener, will happily scratch.
Speed metal, classic metal, power metal, thrash metal… if you tick any one of those boxes, this album will deliver with dividends.

 METALLIC TOURMENTS is out now through Gates Of Hell Records and available on all major streaming sites.

Also available on digital and physical formats via the IRON SLAUGHT Bandcamp HERE.