Metal from France is often Gojira (and for me, Scarve). If you're not, are much for the underground, because the underground in France has so many good bands. During the 80s, when heavy metal did reach the peak, many of us, including me, did never hear about bands like H Bomb, ADX, Sortilège, Blaspheme, Nightmare and many other good bands. But back to Animalize, the band has been active since 2014, but the first EP is from 2020. They have a full-length from 2022 Meat We're Made Of. So Verminateur is the second full-length from this band. (Release date :May 23rd, 2025) and the first where they only use French language. But into the album...and hear what it is about.

The first track, "Armées de la nuit" throws you back to the 80s; it's really right on: high-pitched singing, easy heavy metal. Next track, "Damnée" it can't be more 80s heavy metal than this, cow bells and an overall catchy song. The title track "Verminateur" takes me by suprise. We talk speed metal here, high quality speed. Like Agent Steel, Rage (early) and gives me an Accept "Fast As An Shark" feeling, the best track so far. And the sound on the guitar solo is perfect (and the solo too). Nice surprise. They have a fantastic sound; the underground is there, but also a very clean sound. When I listen to this album, I hear a bit of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, but also Enforcer and Agent Steel. Even if this album is made to be an easy listening album, something is boiling under that polished surface, and I like that. I mean, heavy metal was never meant to be "mainstream" or fit into society, more like a provoking thorn for society. In the U.S.A. back in 1985, a committee known as the Parents Music Resource Center, spearheaded by Tipper Gore, made up a playlist of songs they deemed inappropriate.

The list, dubbed “The Filthy 15,” was used to serve as a template for proposed legislation regarding how albums should be rated, suggesting that they should come with extra warnings if the content pertained to sex, violence, drugs/alcohol, or the occult. Of the fifteen songs, nine were metal, including Judas Priest’s “Eat Me Alive,”Mötley Crue's “Bastard,” AC/DC’s “Let Me Put My Love Into You,” Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” W.A.S.P’s “Animal (Fuck Like a Beast), Def Leppard’s “High ‘n Dry,” Mercyful Fate’s “Into the Coven,” Black Sabbath’s “Thrashed,” and Venom’s “Possessed.” And AC/DC song with sexual lyrics, as opposed to say, “Highway to Hell” or “Hell’s Bells,” which were two of the band's biggest hits, could be interpreted as occult-themed and connected to Richard “Nightstalker” Ramirez, the serial killer whose murder spree terrorized the Greater Los Angeles until the summer of the year this hearing was held? Yes, it's true. But back to Animalize."Envahisseurs" is another good track, and something tells me that this band has been playing more than heavy metal. Thrash and speed metal come to mind. "Prière de remords" is a ballad, and if the lyrics were written and sung in English, that intensity would not be there. The last track on the album "Reviens-moi"is also a nice track.

I hope this band uses more speed and aggression on the next album, because they handle it well. Verminateur overall is a total ok listen, but sometimes a bit too...sweet for my taste. This could have been like a nice, strong mug of coffee, no milk or sugar, but there is milk and sugar in this.