High Power

Finding French heavy metal bands before the 1990s was harder than finding Italian War heroes; High Power was one of the few. Originally formed all the way back in 1977, the group released a pair of albums in 1983's eponymous debut and 1986's Les Violons de Satan -- both of them sung in French and drawing comparisons to Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and compatriots Trust. High Power -- whose lineup consisted of Patrick Malbos (vocals), Eric Pouey (lead guitar/keyboards), Alain Pavon (rhythm guitar), Jean-Michel Dietsch (bass), and Georges Moreau (drums) -- wound down their activities before the decade was through, but 1999 saw the release of the retrospective Live 84/87 CD. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia