BELFRY

This 2016 release was the debut album from Italian stoner/doom/drone quartet Messa, who comprised Mistyr (drums), Alberto (lead guitars), Mark Sade (bass, guitars) and singer Sara. They are still very much active, having released a few more studio albums with a live release coming out just a few weeks ago on Svart which I will be reviewing in the future, and it will be interesting to see if they have maintained this style as in many ways we are at the speed of sludge, with riffs which are as heavy as lead, and arrangements which are all about accentuating the atmosphere. There are lengthy instrumental passages that build the drama, while Sara has a good clear vocal style with a good use of reverb.

The black and white cover photo of the church tower looking out of Lake Resia is the perfect visual accompaniment, giving us both foreboding and gloom, putting us in a certain mindset. But it needs to be noted although much of their music is very much in the style above, there is one song, "Hour of the Wolf", where they allow Sara to really shine in the first half with just a single guitar, while the second half is doom at pace with the full band on show and Sara very much in control. When they are at pace, they are reminiscent of the likes of Beastwars, although they say they have been influenced by the likes of Windhand, Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore, The Devil's Blood, Jex Thoth, Angelo Badalamenti, Bellwitch and Urfaust, with droning occult doom which is incredibly deep and dark. It was this album which announced them to the world, and if this style of music is of interest, then this is quite special indeed.