Messa - The Spin

Label: Metal Blade Records

Release Date: April 11th 2025

Where to start with this one. Well, I’m gonna keep this one contained and let the music speak for itself, so after reading this, or while reading this, listen to the fucking album. I have a running list I like to keep of my personal album of the year starting from 1969 (I wasn’t born til long long after that). Black Sabbath, Dio, Iron Maiden, Sepultura, Hatebreed, Dimmu Borgir, Lamb Of God, Opeth, Rammstein, God’s Hate. The best of the best, from all over the world have places on this list. Italy has finally claimed the top spot. My unrivaled album of the year for 2025, The Spin. Brought to you by Italian quartet, Messa. Through dark ambient jazz, sinister blues, black metal, and goth inspired sounds, the band brings to the listener their self described sound of “Scarlet Doom”. 

This was my first full experience with Messa, and I haven’t separated from the band since. Even though this is my favorite album from them, their back catalogue is just as rich in quality as The Spin. I’d say each of their albums offer a sound and experience slightly different from the next, there is something for everyone. The Spin, however, is what I’d say is their largest jump into a “different” sound. That sound being heavily inspired by post-punk and goth music. It is also their most focused record, or as many would say most “accessible”. You will not find an ambient noise song on The Spin. The dive into goth post-punk and increase in focus does not hurt the band or album in anyway whatsoever. It’s fucking great.

As always, I like to do my best to give 3 of my favorite songs on the album. At Races, a song with a driving energy you don’t always find under the doom umbrella. You might question Messa’s doom label, but they soon silence all questions. Immolation, a track where Sara’s vocals really get to shine even more over the beautiful sounds of the piano, and Reveal, where the scarlet blast beats make an appearance. Fuck, also The Dress. I cannot understate how damn awesome the trumpet and whole jazz breakdown section in this song is. There’s 4 bitch. Every single track on this album is so powerful, each performance is as great as the next. The vocals stand up to any doom great, as do the guitar solos.

Score: 10/10. Obviously. 1 of 1 of in terms of 10/10 albums this year. Well deserved, nothing less would be appropriate. This record is beautiful, menacing, full of energy, fantastic performances, love and despair. A masterpiece.