Messa get gothic with their fourth album, The Spin, 10 years into their career and it serves as their most accomplished to date. Having spent three record defining ‘Scarlet Doom’ on The Spin they produce a an album that exemplifies the muscular power of classic occult doom with post punk/darkwave synthesisers, gothic rock propulsion and all the mystique of a lost Argento soundtrack.
From the jangling The Cult-like guitars of Void Meridian, Messa define the major influence of the 80’s on this record. The sort of style that works so well for Unto Others or Grave Pleasures, as they draw inspiration from Killing Joke, Sisters Of Mercy and even Vangelis with the pulsating synths of Andrea Mantione of Nuovo Testamento the major element of Fire On The Roof.
Using as much vintage equipment as they could, they paid a lot of attention to how this record was recorded, from the reverbed drums, the spectral vocals, ambient guitars and throbbing basslines, The Spin could have easily made waves in the early 80’s alongside records such as Juju/A Kiss In The Dreamhouse by Siouxie & the Banshees or Pornography by The Cure. Fire On The Roof for definitely has the psychedelic gothica of both these bands, with that doom underbelly and plenty of searing guitar.
Using as much vintage equipment as they could, they paid a lot of attention to how this record was recorded, from the reverbed drums, the spectral vocals, ambient guitars and throbbing basslines, The Spin could have easily made waves in the early 80’s alongside records such as Juju/A Kiss In The Dreamhouse by Siouxie & the Banshees or Pornography by The Cure. Fire On The Roof for definitely has the psychedelic gothica of both these bands, with that doom underbelly and plenty of searing guitar.
This is a band with a decade of synergy, expanding their sound through pushing boundaries, be it a stripped back and haunting Immolation or the jazzy doom of The Dress that follows, which features a trumpet solo from Michele Tedesco, Messa have crafted every moment of the album to reflect its inspiration but make it most importantly their own.
Rocco’s gated/reverbed drumming is a focal point for many of these songs, adding that authenticity as Alberto’s lead guitars are clean and melodious, varying from huge rock solos to jazzy breaks with ease as Marco’s rhythm guitars and bass, manoeuvre the reptilian rhythms and heavy moments on a track such as The Dress but also the Southern blues-meets-Sabbath of Reveal.
Rocco’s gated/reverbed drumming is a focal point for many of these songs, adding that authenticity as Alberto’s lead guitars are clean and melodious, varying from huge rock solos to jazzy breaks with ease as Marco’s rhythm guitars and bass, manoeuvre the reptilian rhythms and heavy moments on a track such as The Dress but also the Southern blues-meets-Sabbath of Reveal.
Sara too has almost redefined her singing style with The Spin, reaching new heights with cathartic tracks such as the closer Thicker Blood, giving her most varied and impressive vocal performance on The Spin. All these elements combine so perfectly on this album, it’s got immediacy so you know it’s good but it takes a few spins to realise how good it actually is.
Give it time an multiple spins and you’ll love it as much as I do. 9/10
Mika Häkki - Mørker (Majestic Mountain Records)
Now if you were to listen to the 60's psychadelia of Take This Light Away, all scrubbing acoustic guitars, echoed vocals and snare drum you wouldn't immediately think Monolord. The crushing doom of that Swedish band are about as far removed from the sounds of 'the summer of love' as you can get.
However on his second solo album Mørker, Monolord bassist Mika Häkki plays a more stripped back, dreamy heartfelt music, joined by Klas-Henrik Hörngren on keys, Krister Selander on bass and drummer Kristoffer Ragnstam.
While his debut was country and singer songwriter influenced, this one is more of trip inspired by Neil Young (When You're Old), Syd-era Pink Floyd (Another Reason To Stay), some The Stooges wooziness on Couch Sofa.
Häkki's acoustic/clean electric guitar and deep vocals are the cornerstone of this album, and while it's nothing like Monolord, Mørker has a retro charm of it's own. 8/10
Strategy - Love Tactics (Metalapolis Records)
German AOR, it's going to be cheesier than a Allgäuer Emmentaler stuffed with ButterKäse but if done well AOR can be very fun (The Night Flight Orchestra?). Formed in Munich by guitarists Lennard "Lenny" Hammerer and Jakob Struve, Strategy's sound and your enjoyment of it will be dependent on how you feel about the vocals.
They're...ok... listenable without detracting too much from the sound but perhaps would suit NWOTHM rather than AOR. That said Strategy's AOR is much more rocky similar Boston, Night Ranger or Styx, with some prog inspiration too, looming large on Into The Lens which was originally from the controversial 1980 Yes album Drama.
It's a decent cover and Love Tactics is a decent melodic rock/AOR album but there are things that the band can improve on with their next record. 6/10
Rock Out – Let’s Call It Rock’N’Roll (Frontiers Music Srl)
When I hear of a rock band from Switzerland I always do the Krokhard test. Will it sound like Krokus? Or will it sound like Gotthard? Well the answer is Krokus, well to be honest AC/DC. Rock Out play pub rock, based in the blues but with a big classic rock choruses that are fit for singing along to.
Though perhaps avoid singing some of the verses as things can get very cringe with American Way, I Wanna Live (apparently until the day they die) or the absolutely awful Hcrnrsm. “Why you staring at the Tik-Tok Screen” is a fairly basic shot across the bows of modern media, that opens a throwaway song called Pump It Up, where the title is sung so many times that’d rather watch the latest dance craze.
Yeah Rock Out have no-frills but they also have songs that’s sound like Airbourne album tracks, there’s no originality in what they do, there’s a 1000 bands playing AC/DC inspired rock music so you need something to stand out. Many of the themes they write about will cause many an eye roll, even from the generation who were there the first time. Let’s Call It Rock’N’Roll, more like Let’s Leave It Alone. 4/10
Rock Out – Let’s Call It Rock’N’Roll (Frontiers Music Srl)
When I hear of a rock band from Switzerland I always do the Krokhard test. Will it sound like Krokus? Or will it sound like Gotthard? Well the answer is Krokus, well to be honest AC/DC. Rock Out play pub rock, based in the blues but with a big classic rock choruses that are fit for singing along to.
Though perhaps avoid singing some of the verses as things can get very cringe with American Way, I Wanna Live (apparently until the day they die) or the absolutely awful Hcrnrsm. “Why you staring at the Tik-Tok Screen” is a fairly basic shot across the bows of modern media, that opens a throwaway song called Pump It Up, where the title is sung so many times that’d rather watch the latest dance craze.
Yeah Rock Out have no-frills but they also have songs that’s sound like Airbourne album tracks, there’s no originality in what they do, there’s a 1000 bands playing AC/DC inspired rock music so you need something to stand out. Many of the themes they write about will cause many an eye roll, even from the generation who were there the first time. Let’s Call It Rock’N’Roll, more like Let’s Leave It Alone. 4/10
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