The European Black Metal scene grows stronger and stronger and to follow the flood of extraordinary releases is getting more and more difficult. Especially the French scene is growing and regularly delivers really outstanding albums. Bands like KARNE or SETH really manage to create magnificent pieces of Black Metal art. GRIFFON were unknown to me so far but a week, before this review request was coming in, I stumbled over their new output “De Republica” via Black Metal Promotion on YouTube, a channel that really does a lot for the underground scene. Already the first tunes of the opening track ‘L’homme Du Tarn’ made me curious, starting with war noises and French sung chants before their Black Metal starts. And what a catching melody was drilling into my head. Fantastic and clockwork precise drumming, changing speeds, vocals between caws and spoken passages and orchestral parts. The track is fantastic and grows from spin to spin. Normally I dislike clean vocals, but the balance here is perfect and their ability to create a catching atmosphere is also outstanding. ‘The Ides Of March’ is the second track and the only one on the album performed in the English language. It starts slowly again, but quickly turns into Black Metal. Again a catching melody with fine instrumentation and a perfect balance between melody and harsh Black Metal parts. The songwriting is top notch and every little detailed is well-balanced and precisely worked out. ‘A L’insurrection’ starts with some fine keyboards before the lead guitar delivers some cool Power Metal tunes paired with Black Metal. This sounds a bit inspired by the Gothenburg style of the mid ’90s and is a pretty enjoyable track. ‘La Semaine Sanglante’ again starts with some keyboards and strings and suggests some kind of peace before they start their thunderstorm again. Enriched by some calm parts in the middle with spoken passages, this track shows their good flair for the balance between melodic Black Metal and other influences. ‘La Loi De La Nation’ and the title track ‘De Republica’ arent’t less good and should catapult the band to the top of the French Black Metal scene. Really impressive release and worth to check. For more info, please visit one of the following sites: www.facebook.com/griffonblackmetal, www.facebook.com/ladloproductions