Release date: May, 23rd, 2025

Animalize is an insanely fun heavy metal band from the land of Lyon, France, respectively. They’ve been making soundwaves all around the metal scene (most notably in France and Germany) since 2014 and they have been skyrocketing ever since. From their high voltage heavy metal music to their amazing and entertainingly good stage presence, Animalize is definitely here to slay listeners with the power of their music. Dying Victims Productions is proud to announce Animalize’s second album…. “Verminateur”!

Review

The opener and kick starter to the album is the track, “Armées de la Nuit”. It comes crashing in with sirens in the background, accompanied with fast tempo guitar riffs and upbeat drumming that are here to welcome you into the new album! I’ll admit, I took French courses a couple years back and know that the title is translated as “Armies of the night” for my English speakers that are wondering. I think this track defines Animalize as THE army that is coming full force with the spirit of heavy metal on their side. Such a wonderful opener to the album!

Coming up next, the track titled “Damnée”. It is a more mid-tempo song with a pinch of harmonic vocals provided by Coyote, and also melodic guitar riffs that blend perfectly with one another. It is a nice trad metal song that is more musically flowy but maintains the heaviness throughout the song. A nice element in this track is the incorporation of synth towards the middle and end of the track, and how the guitar sings along with it was just such a nice touch. It gives it a nice throwback/ nostalgic feeling to the sound of the 80’s that I personally loved.

The third track, “Cheval Astral” ominously begins with the sound of a galloping horse, but soon you are faced with a straight punch of powerful riffs and hard demanding drum beats. This track picks back up on a more speedy tempo, it immediately gets your heading banging to the beat. I believe it is a good example of what the new wave of trad French heavy metal is about. When this song is listened to in full-blast, it kicks ass, that I can say!

“Verminateur” is the fourth track that also shares the same name as the album itself, was first released as a single back in March 7th, 2025! This Track is one of my personal favorites in the album, it is speedy, heavy and just enough to make you want to start a moshpit in your own bedroom. It is one of those tracks that if played live, it would just be pure epic-ness. The track gets you going, it is a very exciting and energetic track. If you have not checked it out yet, please do so! “Verminateuuur!”

“Au Jugement de Soi” commences with isolated, crunchy, edgy guitar riffs that instantly gets you in the groove of the song. Personally I almost began to even dance to the beat of the music, it is such a nicely structured and instrumented track. The melodies and guitar work were the takeaway for me. The drumming is just so good as well, and Coyote’s vocals fit in so well with the guitars. Towards the middle- end of the track, the guitars sing so beautifully.. that was one of the highlights of this track, I was definitely hooked by Jessman and RattleGab’s guitar work.

“Invasion” is one of the short tracks in the album, serving as a heavy introduction to the following track in the album (Envahisseurs). It begins with guitar work accompanied by dark synth instrumentation, I gotta say I really like the addition of synth in the album overall. Gives you the image in your head of an 80’s horror movie soundtrack, but cooler because of the guitar and drumming work showcased in this track.

“Envahisseurs” picks right up from “Invasion”, it is a very solid headbanging track. The track literally invades your ears with pure French heavy metal. Coyote’s vocals are more catchy in this song, I absolutely love his delivery with vocals and of course bass work. The song is heavy and upbeat, and once again.. the guitar work! I’ve been mentioning that throughout the whole review, but it is just something that cannot go unnoticed. The guitar solos in this track were straight up badass.

“Prière de Remords” begins with sentimental piano and strings, a huge contrast to the rest of the songs in the album. The main focal part of this track is Coyote’s vocals, which he delivers perfectly into the instrumentation of this song. It is emotional, and you can feel it through the lyrics and vocal delivery. But the track is also a nice switch up that stands out in the album!

“Bons Baisers d Outre” commences with almost an eerie intro, making you feel or wonder what is lurking around. It is a bit of a slower build up, until you are met with heavy guitar riffs that are actually really catchy from the get-go. It has more melodic parts as well, but then switches to a more upbeat and faster tempo. It is a fun song nonetheless, a nice heavy metal track with a more harmonic twist/ pinch into it.

The final and concluding track of the album, “Reviens” begins steady with an already commanding intro from the instrumentation delivered by the guys. It is also heavy, speedy and just overall epic already. I have to praise the guitar work again, the solos are just..chef’s kiss. You can feel the emotion from the solos, it is enough to satisfy anyone who loves a good guitar work. The whole song in general is a good ol heavy metal track that does a good job closing the album. It sends off the listener with an energized feeling, and personally it left me wanting more !

Conclusion

It has been about 3 years since Animalize released their first album (Meat We’re Made Of), and “Verminateur” being their second full album.. they have absolutely come back full force. It is a great representation of what the New Wave Of French Heavy Metal is contributing to in the Heavy Metal scene. The album is colorful, fun, and even dips into different elements throughout the album. I am left with wanting to hear more music from these guys! Might be in one of my top releases for 2025.

TheNwothm Score: 9.5/10

Line up:

Jessman – Guitars

Coyote – Bass, Vocals

RattleGab – Guitars

Hyungminator – Drums

Links

Bandcamp: https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/verminateur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/animalizeband/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalize.heavymetal/

Label:www.dyingvictims.com