Messa Scores Big with “The Spin”

Messa is poised for a huge breakthrough with their latest release, The Spin. It’s impressive enough that they’re on Metal Blade, even more impressive that they sound like it.

Messa The Spin

Sara’s voice sounds glorious. And it should, considering all the doubled vocals and production behind it. Her rasp is barely noticeable. This is production worthy of Metal Blade, with meticulous attention to detail, even more refined than Close.

Messa has evolved in every way. The writing is more diverse, if that’s even possible. They can incorporate different styles to fit the mood of the song, from goth-inspired anthems to piano lounge croonings. They’ve done all this without selling out or altering their distinctive approach. It’s all grander, more fleshed-out and massive.

I’ve been waiting for a “Doom” band to make this leap, and I’m betting this is the one. Mainstream metal audiences are gonna eat this one up. With their legacy material in place, hundreds and maybe thousands of fans are going to check out their classic albums like Belfy and Feast for Water. It’s going to be good for all of us.

I’m thrilled and excited for what comes next for Messa!

I’m also mourning a relationship that’s coming to an end, or at least changing. Because the primal elements of Messa are nearly evaporated. The eerie vibe of Sara wafting over a Fender Rhodes is gone, replaced by expertly played synths. The stark and at times spartan arrangements are full and lush and BIG!

One of things I LOVE about Sara is that her vocals didn’t need to be doubled or tripled, and they still don’t. Alberto didn’t need multi-tracked guitars layered to sonic perfection, and he still doesn’t. Rocco didn’t need to be fine-tuned to sound raw, heavy, and awesome. On The Spin, they’re tamed quite a bit, but at least he howls on Thicker Blood just before the synth carries the song out in a skillful fade.

I get it. Expecting Feast for Water III is ridiculous. Messa was made for greater things than that. Fundamentally, this is still the same band that created Leah.

Now, they have the scope and backing to produce At Races

It’s a great video, and it’s still Messa. It’s also a massive leap forward in every way. I love that.

But…

This album isn’t for me. There are sublime moments on The Spin, there’s no denying that. And yet, it effing hurt to listen to Fire on the Roof. The Berlin meets Messa thing was a step towards the mainstream for Messa, and the tripled vocal harmonies plain pissed me off. It’s the most un-Messa thing I’ve heard.

It could be a top 20 hit with the right radio edit.

I honestly, sincerely hope it is. I hope they make serious money on this album. I will always love Messa, and how they transformed the scene. They’re now an inspiration to dozens of bands, and will be for dozens more. The Spin is a step towards a wider audience, and I hope they never stop growing and evolving. Messa is exactly what the broader Heavy Metal scene needs. I LOVE the excitement I see on Facebook and other social media sites, and I’m smiling from ear-to-ear as people express excitement and adoration.

But it’s bittersweet for me, because the very things that will propel Messa forward are what I avoid in music. That’s just me. And this is me being honest: I don’t hate this album, but I don’t like it very much, either.

Have I written that without being an elitist, rockist asshole? I hope so…