Chapter XVII

It’s the final week of our three-part Olympic special and so we’re recommending an established stalwart of the French metal scene. Had you guessed that it would be Gojira due to the clues we’ve been dropping? Guess again! They did a brilliant job opening the Olympics but they don’t need to close our special as well.

The Chorus

Grenoble-born power metal group Nightmare have been around since 1979, with a decade hiatus in-between, and have had so many line-up changes that only one original member remains. This hasn’t held them back, however, as the current members have produced one of their best records yet in Encrypted. Their 2024 album opens with an ominous fade-in on Nexus Inferis which quickly translates to a series of competing riffs layed over double-pedal drumming. The purposeful beat on Wake the Night marches you to layered crescendo on the bridge. On White Lines the incessant drive and classical ascending shredding complement the powerful vocals. The beautiful cover artwork deserves a mention as well - it captures the sound perfectly. The pure dark power of this album is sure to conjure something monstrous in your ritual.

The Champion - V

One of the best things about metal is that it can be performed on any instrument without exception. If you’re in any doubt about including, for example, accordions in your supergroup then just listen to bands like Korpiklaani or Alestorm who maximise the instrument’s potential. Nice native Clément Palomba, aka Grayssoker, wields a custom-made accordion piped through an epic pedalboard to create incredible electronic music. His influences and stylings span a range of genres and when combined with his mastery they make him the ideal Champion to add some musical diversity to your performance. Perfect for position V on your pentacle if you want to lend some folk or power to your metal sound.

The Curse

Don’t be fooled by the Lou Carcolh’s harmless gastropod appearance. The Horror of Hastingues hides vicious, hairy tentacles under its shell that wait to lash out and capture unsuspecting victims for later consumption (whole, unfortunately). Fortunately the monster tends to accidentally announce itself with its own slime which helps the observant to avoid its arrival. The Carcohl you have summoned has no useful traits to impart to you, even if it was willing to share, which is doubtful. By binding this beast you’ve doomed yourself to live out the rest of your musical career as a slow, hideous cave-dweller. Perhaps you’ll make it work, who knows. These are the risks you take when when you mess with occult forces beyond your control.