Gorgon

Formed in 1991 in Antibes, France, Gorgon is a cornerstone of the French black metal scene, often overshadowed by the 'Légions Noires' but arguably more influential on the traditionalist wing of the genre. Founded by the multi-instrumentalist Chris, the band emerged during the pivotal second wave, drawing initial inspiration from the primitive aggression of Venom and the early occultism of Samael.

Their 1995 debut, 'The Lady Rides a Black Horse,' is considered a cult classic, defining a sound that blended black metal's tremolo-picked intensity with a rhythmic sensibility derived from NWOBHM. After a long hiatus between 2001 and 2017, the band returned with 'The Veil of Darkness,' proving their sound was remarkably resilient to modern trends. Critically, they are respected for their 'no-frills' approach, avoiding the symphonic or overly polished production that claimed many of their contemporaries. They occupy a unique space in the French underground, representing the southern, more traditionalist occult school as opposed to the northern, more experimental scenes.