Review MEURTRIER “Messe De Fer”

A French album title and French song titles might lead you to believe that Meurtrier are a band from France. They’re not. These five musicians hail from Canada and are part of the metal scene centered around Quebec and Montreal.

After taking a look at the relatively simple and somewhat cliché-ridden artwork, it’s time to turn our attention to the music.

Meurtrier are still a fairly young band and have been active for around three years. After releasing the Le Voyage EP in 2024, the time has now come for the five-piece to deliver its debut full-length. With Messe de fer and a deal with Jawbreaker Records in place, the band has everything it needs for a proper first strike.

Meurtrier are firmly rooted in traditional heavy metal, but they also draw heavily from the speed metal of the ’80s. Vocalist Anthony Verrault deserves special mention here. His high-pitched screams are a real asset, adding plenty of bite and character to the band’s sound.

“Candestin” gets things moving at full speed. There’s no gradual buildup and no unnecessary intro—the five-piece hits the pedal from the very first second. The full force of its heavy metal attack comes straight at you. At the same time, the Canadians are not simply hammering away without direction. There are strong melodies, plenty of variation, and a solid production that suits the band’s underground roots. It sounds natural and raw while still keeping the individual elements clearly defined.

The title track opens with a riff that brings Agent Steel to mind, before Verrault unleashes another blood-curdling scream. “Messe de fer” is a driving metal track built around a galloping rhythm that practically demands a good old-fashioned headbang.

The intensity remains a constant throughout the album. Tracks like the frantic “Sans Trône” take us straight back to the heyday of speed metal, while the slower and more atmospheric “Exil” reveals another side of the band. It gives the album some breathing room without breaking its momentum.

With “Fatal ennemi,” the band steps on the accelerator once again before closing the album with “Meurtrier.” The finale is brutal and relentless, bringing the record’s energy together for one final headbanger. It’s the kind of closer designed to leave a few neck muscles wondering what just happened.

With Messe de fer, Meurtrier make it clear that they’re a band worth keeping an eye on. These five Canadians wear their love for ’80s metal proudly, and that enthusiasm comes through in every riff, scream, and galloping rhythm. The result is an energetic and unpretentious debut that blasts out of the speakers with plenty of attitude.

Neck muscle alarm.