The term Goth Rock gets thrown around a bit too easy.What it usually describes is tweeny pop music with slightly distorted guitar, Wonky 80's retro keyboards. A pinch of Emo Lyrics about being isolated and not being understood. Couple this with random dark images with absolutely no connection to add some mystery. Goats, forests, goblets, crucifixes, candles, nuns, Nature, Wolves, and horror movie motifs. And of course, a photograph of enigmatic but also angelic singer looking forlorn, preferably dressed in some tribal but unpractical headgear and either red or white while the band sport designer black clothes and standard slightly menacing scowls.The final touch is going way to heavy on the eyeliner...Hey Presto you have your Bargain bin Robert Smith or Garage Sale Siouxsie Sioux.
Italy's Messa are not that Band. Make no mistake they are dripping an authentic Goth attitude and sound from the Vocals of Sara Bianchin to the presentation of the band. They would be more at home at Sargent House alongside Chelsea Wolfe and Emma Ruth Rundle than the limiting doom metal label they are tagged with would suggest.
Third album Close is a case in point. Starting with "Suspended" It moves with the speed of a sloth in molasses. It has a heavy doom riff but that's as close as it gets to electric wizard territory. They are too imaginative to be painted into that corner. Guitarist Alberto Piccolo underplays rather than throwing licks into every available space, only breaking cover to do a Django Reinhardt style jazz solo. Bassist Marco Zanin and Drummer Mystir show similar restraint.
Not satisfied to just use the traditional Guitar/Bass/Drums method of writing Messa throw an Oud (a short-necked Lute), Mandolin, Moog Bass, Piano, Synths, Dulcimer, and various percussion instruments into the mix. "Orphalese" has North African rhythms and bewitching vocal harmonies. Mid album "Pilgrim" is pure Doom, but it is the exception here rather than the rule. The only glaring misstep here is the forty-four second "Leffotrack"which has no home here or musical value and feels like it's a late night knock about that someone accidentally recorded. They finish up the album with "Serving Him". Which is much more in keeping with the overall mood of the album.
For the most part, it's an excellent album with long intricate songs. There is no doubt it is heavy and will appeal to the doom hounds, however it would be a shame if they were branded with that label permanently as there is much more to this band than recycled St. Vitus and Pentagram riffs.
Therein lies the conundrum, Do Messa keep pushing on and out musically and risk rising ire of the most irritating and self-important and, it must be said self-appointed fans. the gatekeepers, or revert to the sabbath songbook?
Judging on the majority of the evidence here, I Hope they continue to explore the Goth avenues of their music. It will lead them down very intriguing rabbit holes.
Fly my lovelies! Onwards to the next horizon and beyond.
-Bobo Coen
