Band: Les Bâtards Du Roi
Album: Les Chemins De L’Exil
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Country: France
Label: Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions
Released: October 10, 2025
Introduction
France has quite possibly one of the strongest black metal scenes currently. With a roster of bands that continuously push out unbelievably good releases and new bands that are springing up constantly. Les Bâtards Du Roi is no exception. While not new to the scene entirely, having released their debut self titled album last year in 2024, they’re back again with a full-length follow up Les Chemins De L’Exil.
Les Chemins De L’Exil
Tracklisting:
- La Forêt
- L’âme Sans Repos
- Vers L’étoile Solitaire
- Le Chevalier au Corbeau
- Ord Vil Merdos
- Le Val Dormant
- Les Chemins de L’exil
- La Chevauchée Cadavérique
- Sous la Couronne de L’éternité
Beautiful. Haunting. Melodic.
These three words summarize everything one needs to know about this album and this band. France has a knack for melodic black metal. But it’s nuanced and is found more often within the deluge of tremolo-picked riffs than in an over abundant use of orchestrated instrumentations or troupes more common to melo-black as a whole. It is unique unto itself and by and large separates France from the herd.
The production on the album is crisp, clean and articulate. Every single tremolo-picked note is heard as it should be and the levels across the board are immaculate, the vocals sitting perfectly in the mix as well. A shining example of modern Black Metal done right.
The production is a step up from the previous album and feels a bit more polished and cohesive. That can be said also for the song writing. The self-titled album however was excellent and my critiques of it are simply meant as a compliment to the band’s maturing sound as a whole.
What really resonated with me whilst listening to this album was the guitar riffs. They’re so unbelievably catchy and melodic all the while still maintaining the aggression black metal is synonymous with. L’âme Sans Repos is a great example of this. However every track on the album is equally riff heavy and catchy.
Conclusion
Les Chemins De L’Exil from start to finish is perfect. The album has no weak moments or skippable tracks. A melodic black metal masterpiece that sets the bar for the whole genre up a notch. Seamlessly blending together catchy, melodic riffs, crisp and aggressive vocals and well thought out song writing. If you haven’t heard of this band yet I implore you to go and give them a listen. You won’t be disappointed.
BMZ Rating: 9 out of 10
Support Les Bâtards Du Roi here: https://ladlo.bandcamp.com/album/les-chemins-de-lexil
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