Release date: 3/11/2022
Origin: Cittadella, Italy
Personnel: Sara Bianchin-vox, Alberto Piccolo-guitar, Marco Sanin-bass, Rocco Toaldo-drums
This one feels like the bastard child of Black Sabbath and Jefferson Airplane. And I totally mean that to be a compliment of the highest order. This was my first experience with Messa and this album feels like such a good one to get acquainted with this band. Sara Bianchin’s vocals just recall a version of Grace Slick with a little more range. Combined over top of just some massively heavy riffs and middle-eastern flourishes, this is a mystical and magical doom metal masterpiece. It felt like metal from Italy used to mainly be in the power metal realm. But, of late, it feels like scene there is starting to flourish a bit more and we’re seeing bands like Messa pop up with some really cool takes on different genres. Definitely dig this one if you’re into Candlemass or Pallbearer and the like.
4.5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens
DISPATCHES FROM THE VOID 