Mystery Blue

One of the few French-bred heavy metal bands to enjoy a smidgeon of international recognition during the 1980s, Strasbourg's Mystery Blue were founded in 1982 by singer Michel Torres, guitarists Francis "Frenzy" Phillipon and Yvan Bailbled, bassist Patrick Faller, and drummer Jean-Marc Gogel. Later signed by France's own Axe Killer label for the release of their eponymous 1984 debut, Mystery Blue would visit several European countries as tour support for the likes of Motörhead, Saxon, and Def Leppard, but poor sales soon got them dropped, and after releasing 1986's Circle of Shame on the unknown Dream Records, the band broke up, seemingly for good -- or at least until about a decade later, as it turned out, when guitarist Philippon decided to revive the band name and recruited an entirely new lineup consisting of female vocalist Nathalie Geyer, bassist Danny Ohlmann, and drummer Ricky Gassler to record the group's 1998 comeback album, Spirit of Your Song. Another five-year layoff ensued, but Mystery Blue have cropped up again in the new millennium -- first with 2003's Metal Slaves (introducing new drummer Vince Koehler), and then 2006's Claws of Steel (now with new bassist Rikki Mannhard) -- always remaining faithful to their traditional metal roots, despite fleshing out their style with a modern power metal feel and distinguishing themselves primarily due to Geyer's over the top delivery. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia