Review MESSA “The Spin”

Messa from Italy have been working on a new longplayer that is now ready to hit the record stores. “The Spin” is the title of this new effort from the Italian metal outfit and it is the next great moment in the career of Sara, Marco, Alberto and Rocco. The four-piece deliver an album that is mesmerising from start to finish.

The opener, “Void Meridian,” is the starting point for a musical journey through the realms of darkness. The song builds on the great voice of Sara B. as there’s a lot of emotion in her way of singing, which captivates the listener, as you can’t resist to listen to these melody lines. With all the darkness that is woven into the seven songs of the album, there are always some rays of sunlight too.

A decent amount of melancholy runs through the album though, echoing in songs like the epic ‘At Races’. Slower paced and emotionally touching, Messa have recorded a song that alternates between upbeat moments and darkened melodies, wrapping brightness in a grey blanket.

Despite sticking to their trademarks, Messa had the ambition to move on. Rather than end up in constant repetition, the four-piece decided to approach the creative process for “The Spin” in a different way. Recorded in three different places and at different times, the band used new ways of working to create something unique as well. The songs on “The Spin” are undoubtedly 100% Messa though, and the beauty is that they also work in a boiled down setup when it comes to the basic foundation.

A touching moment is a song called “Immolation”. Piano and vocals are the touching factors of a song that is more than just a ballad. It is a calmer aspect of the album, but it is rather a soulful composition that goes straight to the heart instead of being a clichéd tearjerker. It is one of the highlights on “The Spin” that showcases Sara B.’s great vocals. Along with a blistering guitar solo in the middle of “Immolation”, the band showcases the full range of their musical prowess.

There isn’t a weak song on the album, and you won’t even find an average piece of music on “The Spin”. Every song is a soulful treat, including the atmospheric “The Dress”. The bluesy start of ‘Reveal’ and the heavy pounding continuation show another facet of Messa, before ‘Thicker Blood’ heralds the end of this release. The cinematic song is a well chosen finale to an album that leaves you with your mouth open.

“The Spin” is a jaw-dropping release, with music that combines intense emotional impact with musical greatness. Although rooted in doom metal, Messa challenge the boundaries of the genre and deliver a stunning album that will provide lasting excitement for fans of great music.