Album Review: Tentation – Le Berceau Des Dieux (Gates of Hell Records)

Nearly a decade in the making, France’s Tentation emerge with their first full-length album, Le Berceau Des Dieux, a throwback to the glory days of 1980s metal — with vocals sung entirely in French!

Tentation was formed in 2012 in Torreilles, a small village in the south of France. They released their debut self-titled EP in 2015, then followed it with the Bruixes / Shaman single in 2018. The same year, the band teamed up with Iron Slaught for the – 665 – Les hordes métalliques split. However, writing and recording a full-length album is the one thing that has eluded Tentation since their formation. Well, no more. On the 25th of September 2021, Le Berceau Des Dieux via Gates of Hell Records.

We’re always looking for something a little different in metal and Tentation fit that bill. Oh for sure, it’s old-school heavy metal that everyone and anyone will immediately recognise and feel comfortable around. However, by making the vocals in French and quite prominent, we actually get quite a fresh take on the old-school.

It’s important to point out too that this isn’t gimmicky. They’re a French band and musically, the vocals follow the patter of their heavy metal forefathers. As do the guitars and drums as it can’t be understated just how much of a throwback this album is. Take that for what it is. If you’re immediately put off by yet another band doing the old-school thing, you will be missing out on a fun, energetic and head-banging album.

Racing and galloping riffs, wild soloing, pounding percussion and those aforementioned vocals that come through cleanly with just a touch of King Diamond style highs here and there. The band sounds great and it can’t be understated just how much the French language adds to the overall product.

Check out the chuggy, chunky and frenzied tempo of La Chute Des Titans, the spirited head-banger Conquérants or the glorious blood-pumping and horn-throwing Heavy Metal if you want to get some idea of what to expect on this album. You won’t regret it, even if you’re unlikely to be going back to the album time and time again.

Tentation – Le Berceau Des Dieux Full Track Listing:

1. L’Exode
2. Le Couvent
3. La Chute Des Titans
4. Interlude
5. Le Taureau D’Airain
6. Conquérants
7. Baldr
8. Blanche
9. L’Enfant De Gosthal
10. Heavy Metal

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook