Having already solidified their status with a trio of widely acclaimed records (Belfry in 2016, Feast For Water in 2018, and Close in 2022), MESSA now takes a bold leap forward, weaving in new sonic textures, hypnotic gothic atmospheres, and intricate compositional dynamics that make The Spin an unforgettable and deeply immersive experience.
From its opening moments, The Spin does not just play—it unfolds like a living, breathing entity, pulling the listener through vast emotional and sonic landscapes.
Unlike the band’s previous release, Close, which focused on a raw, organic, all-in-the-room approach, The Spin was meticulously constructed across three different recording locations. This allowed MESSA to deconstruct and rebuild songs, reshaping them into fluid, ever-evolving movements.
Their guiding principle during the writing process was simple: If an idea appears twice, it’s enough. Three times? It’s discarded.
This philosophy ensures that The Spin remains dynamic and unpredictable, sidestepping the typical doom metal trappings of excessive riff cycling and stagnant song structures. Each passage is deliberate, and each transition is meticulously placed to heighten tension and release.
A New Direction: The Haunting Influence of ‘80s Goth
One of the album’s most intriguing and unexpected elements is its deep dive into early gothic rock and dark wave—a realm that MESSA had never explored before.
While past albums flirted with blues, jazz, and Middle Eastern melodies, The Spin absorbs the brooding, atmospheric power of early Sisters of Mercy, Killing Joke, The Sound, and Virgin Prunes, weaving these influences into their doom-laden, avant-garde framework.
The result? A mesmerizing blend of cavernous riffs, ethereal vocal echoes, and shadow-drenched atmospherics that pay homage to the gothic pioneers of the past without ever feeling derivative.
Yet, despite this infusion of ‘80s gothic romanticism, MESSA remains deeply rooted in its trademark sound—dark, evocative, and richly textured. The fusion of doom’s weight and goth’s spectral aura feels entirely organic, as though this evolution was inevitable.
While The Spin is best experienced as a complete, uninterrupted journey, certain moments stand out as brilliant highlights of the band’s newfound approach:
“The Dress” – A prime example of MESSA’s fearless experimentation. Featuring a haunting trumpet solo by Michele Tedesco, this track melds doom’s slow-burning intensity with jazz’s eerie fluidity, creating something unique.
“Fire on the Roof” – One of the album’s most cinematic offerings, with Andrea Mantione (Nuovo Testamento) providing otherworldly synth textures that give the song a darkwave undercurrent. The interplay between crushing guitar lines and ghostly electronics creates an otherworldly experience.
“The Knife” – A track that showcases MESSA’s mastery of tension and release. Beginning with a sparse, ominous intro, it gradually erupts into a maelstrom of spiraling riffs, thunderous drums, and soaring, elegiac vocals.
“Hourglass”—Perhaps the most emotionally resonant moment on the album, this song explores themes of time, decay, and existential contemplation. It is carried by delicate acoustic interludes that explode into weighty, bone-crushing doom passages.
“Dust and Mirrors” – A track that feels like a ritualistic incantation, with layers of droning guitars, ethereal chants, and a hypnotic rhythmic pulse that mesmerizes as much as it devastates.
Each of these tracks is a testament to MESSA’s relentless creativity, proving that genre labels or expectations do not confine them.
Production: A Masterclass in Atmosphere
Under the guidance of Maurizio “Icio” Baggio, The Spin is a sonic marvel. Its crystal-clear production allows every layer of instrumentation to breathe and resonate.
From the deep, resonant lows of the bass to the shimmering, spectral highs of the guitar leads, the album sounds massive yet intimate, enveloping the listener in a vast, dreamlike soundscape.
The drum work—both thunderous and intricate—adds further depth and dimension, ensuring that even the quietest moments feel tense and alive.
With The Spin, MESSA has not just delivered another doom metal album—they have crafted a masterpiece of genre-defying sound, one that resonates deeply, transcending metal and immersing the listener in a world of haunting beauty and weighty emotion.
By embracing gothic textures, cinematic scope, and a meticulous approach to composition, the band has created a record that is as darkly ethereal as it is crushingly heavy.
For longtime fans, The Spin will be a revelation—an expansion of MESSA’s already vast sonic universe. For newcomers, it is a breathtaking introduction to a band that refuses to be confined by tradition or expectation.
This is doom metal as high art, and MESSA is at the peak of its creative powers.
Formats & Release Details:
The Spin will be available on CD (jewel case in the US, digipak in EU), digital formats, and vinyl, with several exclusive color variants for collectors.
The Spin
Void Meridian
At Races
Fire On The Roof
Immolation
The Dress
Reveal
Thicker Blood
Source: www.antiheromagazine.com
