MESSA

The black and white cover photo of the church tower looking out of Lake Resia is the perfect visual accompaniment, giving us both foreboding and gloom, putting us in a certain mindset. But it needs to be noted although much of their music is very much in the style above, there is one song, "Hour of the Wolf", where they allow Sara to really shine in the first half with just a single guitar, while the second half is doom at pace with the full band on show and Sara very much in control. When they are at pace, they are reminiscent of the likes of Beastwars, although they say they have been influenced by the likes of Windhand, Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore, The Devil's Blood, Jex Thoth, Angelo Badalamenti, Bellwitch and Urfaust, with droning occult doom which is incredibly deep and dark. It was this album which announced them to the world, and if this style of music is of interest, then this is quite special indeed.

Regarding the aforementioned highlight there's another instrument involved too anyhow. Played by guest musician Giorgio Trombino the duduk makes the real sensation here, to a lesser extent when standing on its own, moreover due to that charming liaison with the vocals. Awesome! The moderate guitar variations are serving the perfect compact frame, or background, if you will. Suspended comes in with a slow-tempo flow, the guitars are meandering between hard riffing and jazz touched solos. Then a Dark Horse takes us on a ride with everchanging pace, from wild to easygoing, back and force. Every further song has its own characteristics, hence here we have an entertaining production at hand, no doubt. They are not coming from my favoured subgenre actually, but this songs are multi-faceted and very touching nevertheless. Definitely a recommendation.