Heavy Metal Demons was a fanzine from the Netherlands in the mid-80’s. It was written in Dutch, but here’s an article translated to English for you.
Gerhard Hormann
France has another excellent heavy metal band. After the Nouvelle Vague de HM Francais (How Do You Say?) previously delighted us with bands like SORTILEGE, VULCAIN, and HIGH POWER, we now have BLASPHÈME from Paris. This band, formed in 1980, consists of Marc Fery (vocals), Pierre Holzhaeuser (guitar), Phillipe Guadagnino (bass), and Régis Martin (drums) and was previously featured on the 1-p. compilation "Metal Plated" (Ebony). Song titles like "Magie noire" and "Enfer Paradise" already indicate that we're dealing with a kind of black metal band here, but before every speed freak jumps a hole in the ceiling, it should be noted that Blasphème has very little in common with the bloodlust and speed of a group like VENOM. Blasphème's music is much more reminiscent of their compatriots Sortilège and H-BOMB, especially because of Marc's clear, melodic vocals, which regularly soars into the air. Their surprising, self-titled debut is full of melodic heavy metal with original melodies and numerous tempo and mood changes. In the opening section of the long, beautifully constructed "Ex-Calibur," you can even hear a cello! Other excellent songs include the raging "Vengeance Barbare," the jubilant "Enfer Paradise," and the heavy ballad "Sanctuaire." Live, the group fares even better, as recently demonstrated during the first French-language hard rock festival in Paris. This is probably because their manager, Dominique, strictly forbids them to drink alcohol before their performances. And this despite the fact that the good Lord had provided such sweltering weather that day (he certainly doesn't understand French...). Many headbangers had come to Paris especially for Blasphème, and that makes sense, because their performance was head and shoulders above bands like FISC, ATTENTAT ROCK, and VULCAIN. Almost all of the 1.p. songs were played in a considerably heavier version than the studio versions. A striking feature was a short bass solo by Phillippe reminiscent of none other than Joey de Maio (MANOWAR) and their second encore, in which they played "Paranoid" by BLACK SABBATH. You can probably see them for yourself in September, when their Dutch distributor (Boni Records, Katwijk) hopes to bring them here for a short package tour with teammates STEELER and LIVING DEATH. Until then, you'll have to make do with their LP. Contact: Voie d'Athis Mons, 94290 Villeneuve Le Roi, France.