That members of royal houses were notoriously fond of indulging their sexual desires was common knowledge among the common folk. Throughout history — and well into recent decades — countless stories and scandals have surfaced about these so-called “bastards” making their way into the spotlight, the inconvenient reminders of royal excess and hypocrisy.
Why do I bring this up? Because the name of this French band literally means The Bastards of the King. It’s a fitting choice, evoking both the decadence of the old aristocracy and the rebellious spirit that spits in its face. And yes, the French kings of the past were hardly known for keeping their flies closed — their sins of flesh leaving traces that echo all the way to today’s music underground.
The French Black Metal scene has always been something quite unique. Yet in the past, it didn’t always manage to win me over; there was often a certain aloofness or eccentricity to it that didn’t immediately connect with my taste. Only in recent years have I started delving deeper into what France has to offer in this realm, and that has definitely broadened my perspective.
For these bastards as well, it applies that they possess a distinctly French sound — raw, melodic, and with an unmistakable sense of atmosphere. I’ll bring up their labelmates Galibot, as there are clear similarities in tone. Both bands capture that brooding, subterranean tension so characteristic of many modern French releases.
Thematically, however, they stand miles apart. While Galibot focuses primarily on the early twentieth-century mining industry — gritty, grey, and industrial — Les Batards du Roi travels all the way back to the Middle Ages. That’s something you can hear in the music itself: the guitar lines carry a lively, almost dance-like energy, as if echoing forgotten courtly tunes or the chaos of ancient battlefields. It lends the whole record a captivating, almost ritualistic quality, imbuing it with a rich historical atmosphere that feels both authentic and evocative.
It’s a relatively solid album, comparable to their self-titled predecessor. Medieval-tinged Black Metal with the occasional standout moment. I’m curious to see which direction the band will take in the coming years.
80/100
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Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions:
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Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions Website