MESSA, Coltaine, Ellereve
Messa’s rising trajectory hits the stratosphere on their immense new album “Close”. Soaring up out of the Italian Doom Rock underground in 2014, Messa have been rapidly garnering a frenzied throng of devotees, in thrall to their monumental and broad-ranging sound craft. Releasing two widely celebrated cult records, the latest of which “Feast For Water” in 2018 was a critical breakthrough success, with Rolling Stone calling the whole album “captivating, wringing maximum drama out of its savvy stylistic clash,” Messa have had everyone on tenterhooks, waiting for what was next.
New album “Close” draws us further into Messa’s spellbinding textures and immersive dynamics. Described as “Stevie Nicks fronting Black Sabbath,” singer Sara’s colossal voice omnipotently carries the listener on an emotional rollercoaster ride where the sonic cauldron of Iommi guitars gives way to Arabian oudh and progressive solos in a masterful style-clash that well befits Messa’s incendiary reputation.
The hushed Fender Rhodes piano intro on opener “Suspended,” picks up where Messa left off on their previous album “Feast For Water” but then collapses gloriously into Jazz guitar and widescreen impassioned crushing riffs, lighting our way for the odyssey ahead. The scene is set magnificently for the journey that “Close” expertly takes the listener on, with Messa’s obvious care and passion for the album as a pilgrimage of sonic experience. Heavyweight tracks like “If You Want Her To Be Taken” or “0=2” are modern Doom Rock classics that expertly upgrade and leave the genre reeling in their wake. “Pilgrim” and “Orphalese” are woven with tapestries of Mediterranean sounds where oudh and eastern chord phrasings expand Messa’s cinematic palette with a panache that is all their own. Atmospheric and grandiose belters like “Rubedo” and “Dark Horse” build into an almost limitless climax of discord and harmony where blast beats and saxophones descend into a thrilling cacophony that’s a masterclass in artful cutting edge Doom.
Referencing bands like Dead Can Dance, Swans and Om, Messa have created an album where song, experience and atmosphere are focused into a crystalline modus where high art flawlessly embraces good old fashioned riff-worship. Transcending the occult and noir-tinted atmospheres of their past works, “Close” confidently weaves Messa’s multifarious influences into a singular breath-taking sound that leaves the listener enthralled. Perfection or something extremely close, Messa’s “Close” is not just a Metal record, but it’s definitely one of the best things to break out of the confines of Metal in a long time.
https://messaproject.bandcamp.com/track/hellhound-on-my-trail-originally-by-robert-johnson
Formed by the Berg brothers, Moe and Benedikt, in 2014, Coltaine emerged in the Black Forest of southern Germany. Channeling their emotions into a unique sound, their music blends 70's rock, black metal, and ethereal melodies with powerful rock and metal arrangements. Fronted by the versatile singer, Jules, their atmospheric sound spans from soulful harmonies to the darkest growls. With Amin's relentless drumming, Coltaine's lineup promises an exciting future.
Ellereve, alias of german singer-songwriter Elisa Giulia Teschner, blooms amongst
the austrian alps surrounding Innsbruck. Here, the talented artist developed her tru-
ly distinctive style, rich of emotional urgency and longing.
With the recent release of her debut album ‘Reminiscence’ via Eisenwald Records,
the artist proves once again how skillfully intimacy and intensity can be united.
Electronically refined Dark Rock with Folk and Shoegaze influences, melt into each
other and create an almost post-apocalyptic atmosphere of gloom and soulful
harmony. On several (international) stages like Amplifest Porto, Rockhouse Salz-
burg, WGT Leipzig, Feierwerk Munich, KAPU Linz and many more, Ellereve has cap-
tivated her audience and provides goosebumps moments.
After her debut EP ‘Heart Murmurs’ and further singles in the last three years, Ellere-
ve’s sound has become even more powerful, with the new material blending
electronic music elements into organic composition. “My songs are still mostly writ-
ten late at night, in my living room, when a melody on guitar or synth inspires me to
develop something. But before hitting the studio, I finalize the songs in the rehear-
sal room with the live band.“ The poetry of Ellereve is delicate and strong at the
same time, remaining intense in its crescendo. A true ode to heart-treading me-
lancholy, undoubtedly the music of Ellereve unveils the unique, strong personality
of its architect, stunningly portrayed through a delightful confluence of atmosphe-
ric synths, deep basses, reverb-laden and distorted guitars and dynamic drums.
The recurring themes of existentialist dis- quiet come together revealing the intro-
vert nature of the artist, who is a curious sound researcher moving through capti-
vating and magical soundscapes.
Ellereve is available in full band line-up as well as with a special acoustic set.
Artwork by: @missfelidae
