Metal Bulletin Zine: review: Messiah -- the return of the 1980s Swiss death metal band

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

review: Messiah -- the return of the 1980s Swiss death metal band

Messiah

Fatal Grotesque Symbols - Darken Universe

High Roller Records

7. Aug. 2020

1.Fatal Grotesque Symbols - Darken Universe 06:14

2.Space Invaders 03:39

3.Extreme Cold Weather 04:43

total time 14:36

The die-hard Messiah fans generally agree that the two 1980s albums are cult music, while their fifth album from 1994 was not received well in some quarters. After personnel and genre changes, perhaps the Swiss band themselves understood the situation and they went silent. It seems like they have reunited from time to time, and since 2017 they have been a band again with longtime (since 1990) growler Andy Kaina [not with 1980s growlscreamer Tschösi (1984-1988)]. “Space Invaders” and “Extreme Cold Weather” are new versions of the 1980s songs. The title track is a new song. Do you believe in second chances? Perhaps you did not exist in the 1980s and never heard the original albums. It’s not your fault that you were not alive to attend the shows, in your high top sneakers, tight jeans, and that awesome Swatch.

This three-song recording is hors d’oeuvre to the full-length that is coming. In 2020 the band is not trying to go back to the deranged first-wave black metal sound of the debut album in 1986. On this EP they sound like a band that the American fans of death metal would understand as old-school, memorable death metal. Mark your calendar Messiah fans: September 11, 2020: the new album is called Fracmont. While you wait, listen to this EP.

MESSIAH - Brutal Assault 2018