BlackRain

BlackRain is a French glam metal and hard rock group from Haute-Savoie, formed in 2001 and active since then. The band’s style sits within glam metal, hard rock and sleaze rock, with strong links to the sleaze and glam metal traditions.

Background

The group begins in the French Alps before relocating to Paris so it can work full time on music and be closer to its manager, Dany T. It builds its early career through self-produced recordings and extensive live work in France and elsewhere in Europe. At that stage, the group features original members Swan, MatH, Max 2 and Frank F.

Recording and releases

BlackRain releases a series of studio and EP recordings, starting with Black Rain in 2006. Its other releases include the Innocent Rosie EP and License To Thrill in 2008, a reissue of License To Thrill in 2009, Lethal Dose Of... in 2011, and It Begins in 2013. A Japan edition of License To Thrill appears in 2009 and includes a bonus track, No Time To Cry. The band also records a cover of Baby It’s You by The Shirelles.

Collaborators and production

For It Begins, BlackRain works with American producer Jack Douglas, known for his work with Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, The New York Dolls and John Lennon. The album is recorded in Paris in late summer 2012 and mixed at Swing House Studios in Los Angeles by Warren Huart, who is also associated with Aerosmith as a sound engineer.

Live work and media appearances

The band plays alongside Europe, Papa Roach, Alice Cooper, Scorpions and Steel Panther. It also appears on the television competition France’s Got Talent, where it performs three new songs and finishes fourth in the final.

Line-up

Current members are Swan Hellion on vocals and guitar, Max 2 on guitar, Matthieu de la Roche on bass and Frank F. on drums. Former drummers include Kenny “Big Ball” Snake and Iann Lewis. The main composer is Swan.

Later activity

The band’s discography later expands to nine studio albums, with Orphans of The Light listed as a forthcoming release in 2026.