Review MESSIAH ‘Christus Hypercubus’

Messiah have been fighting their way back for a few years now. The band, who impressed the metal underground of the late 80s with albums such as ‘Extreme Cold Weather’ and the subsequent ‘Choir of Horror’, have been back since 2017. And it’s not just that Brögi and Co. are making music again, no. What Messiah have released in their second era can easily keep up with their earlier works.

Firstly, there was the successful EP ‘Fatal Grotesque Symois – Darken Universe’ which already caused a stir and what followed with ‘Fracmont’ was even better.

Now the Swiss are going one better with ‘Christus Hypercbus’. Four years after ‘Fracmont’, it is the new album that once again demonstrates the quality of the thrash metal veterans. What characterizes the band’s latest releases is that Messiah have remained true to themselves without rehashing the old days. Instead, they have brought their typical sound into the present day. You can tell from the new album that the passion for hard music is the driving force behind the band. They don’t look for trends and don’t record anything that doesn’t correspond 100% to the band’s ideas. Messiah blast with this unbridledness, starting with the opener ‘Sikhote Alin’.

Work on the new album did not go smoothly, however, as frontman Andy Kaina left the band in 2021 and the news of his death in November 2022 came as a shock. However, the remaining band members were able to overcome this phase and since a new singer was found in Marcus Seebach, the creation process for ‘Christus Hypercubus’ could finally begin.

The new album contains ten songs, which were written by R.B. Brögi and V.O. Pulver. While listening to songs like the throbbing and groovy ‘Centiede Bite’, you can recognize Pulver’s signature style, but well integrated into the Messiah sound. The filigree solos with which Brögi turns the songs into a real feast for the ears should also be emphasized.

Messiah really put the pedal to the metal, which is reflected in songs like ‘Once Upon a Time … NOTHING’. At the same time, with songs like ‘Speedsucker Romance’, the Swiss can also create a dark heaviness in the gloomy realm. ‘Speedsucker Romance’ is a slow and very dark track which shows the wide scope in which the band operates, also represented by the interlude ‘Please Don’t Disturb (While I’m Dying)’.

The end of the tracklist features ‘The Venus Baroness’ which is split in two parts. The first part is a blasting thrash metal song built on a galloping rhythm and great riff power. Still there are well-placed breaks, giving this furious metal song the necessary thrill. The second part connects well when it comes to heaviness. While being a bit slower paced it is the devilish expression which makes you feel the flames of hellfire.

Messiah maintained their passion for metal during all the years. ‘Christus Hybercubus’ is their most mature and richest longplayer to date as it combines the uncompromising energy from the early days and frames it in a structure that is a benefit for each of these ten headbanger anthem.