Description
Messiah – Fatal Grotesque Symbols = Darken Universe – White Red Splatter Vinyl Record
Messiah’s Fatal Grotesque Symbols – Darken Universe (2020) is an EP released by the Swiss death/thrash metal band, marking their return after a long hiatus. Messiah originally gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s with their aggressive blend of thrash and death metal, characterized by complex riffs, raw intensity, and a dark, apocalyptic atmosphere. Known for their technical musicianship and dark lyrical themes, Messiah’s influence can be seen in the development of both death and thrash metal genres.
Fatal Grotesque Symbols – Darken Universe is a celebration of their legacy, bringing together new material with re-recordings of classic tracks from their early years. This EP serves as both a teaser for their full-length album Fracmont (released in the same year) and a tribute to the band’s classic sound. It demonstrates that Messiah can still deliver the raw power and technical prowess that made them underground icons.
Messiah’s style is a potent mix of death metal’s heaviness and brutality with the speed and aggression of thrash metal. The EP showcases this hybrid approach with fast-paced riffs, blistering solos, and a relentless rhythm section. The fusion of genres gives the band a distinctive edge, appealing to fans of both death and thrash metal.
The guitar work on the EP is intricate and technical, with fast, chugging riffs and melodic leads. Messiah maintains a tight balance between brutality and complexity, delivering songs that are as musically sophisticated as they are heavy.
True to their name, Messiah’s music on this EP is characterized by a dark, apocalyptic atmosphere. The songs explore themes of death, destruction, and chaos, with an ominous tone underscoring the intense musical arrangements.
Key Tracks
“Fatal Grotesque Symbols”: The title track is a brutal, fast-paced death/thrash anthem that showcases the band’s technical precision and aggressive style. The song’s chugging riffs and pounding drums drive the intensity, while the growled vocals add a layer of menace. It serves as a powerful opening to the EP, reaffirming Messiah’s place in the metal underground.
“Extreme Cold Weather”: Another new track, “Extreme Cold Weather” dives into darker, more atmospheric territory, with a slower tempo and more emphasis on melody. The haunting guitar lines and eerie vocal delivery create a sense of impending doom, showing the band’s ability to explore different dynamics within their heavy sound.
True to the traditions of death and thrash metal, the lyrics on Fatal Grotesque Symbols focus on themes of death, destruction, and existential horror. The songs deal with apocalyptic visions and grotesque imagery, with the title track painting a grim picture of humanity’s inevitable downfall. The title track in particular focuses on the idea of grotesque symbols and the dark forces that govern the universe. This theme of darkness, chaos, and the grotesque runs throughout the EP, contributing to its unsettling, ominous atmosphere.
The guitar work on the EP, performed by Francesco Antognini and Remo Broggi, is both technically impressive and brutal. Their ability to switch between fast thrash riffs and melodic death metal leads is a key feature of Messiah’s sound. The solos are intricate and well-placed, adding a melodic counterpoint to the heavy riffs. Andy Kaina’s vocals are guttural and intense, fitting perfectly within the death metal framework. His growled delivery adds a sense of menace and aggression to the songs, while his lyrics explore themes of grotesque horror and apocalyptic visions. The rhythm section, featuring Patrick Hersche on bass and Steve Karrer on drums, is tight and powerful. The bass provides a thick, rumbling foundation for the guitar work, while the drumming is fast, precise, and unrelenting, driving the songs forward with intense energy.
Fatal Grotesque Symbols marked the return of Messiah after a long break from releasing new music, and the EP was met with excitement from fans who had followed the band since their early days. The release demonstrated that Messiah had not lost any of their edge, and it reinvigorated interest in their discography. By combining new material with re-recordings of older tracks, the EP serves as both a tribute to Messiah’s legacy and a statement of their continued relevance in the modern metal scene. The band’s ability to revisit their old material while delivering fresh, intense new songs is a testament to their enduring influence in the death/thrash metal genres.
Messiah’s combination of technical musicianship and brutal intensity has influenced a range of extreme metal bands over the years. Their place in the development of European death/thrash metal is cemented by their early albums, and Fatal Grotesque Symbols reinforces their importance in the genre.
Fatal Grotesque Symbols – Darken Universe by Messiah is a powerful return for the Swiss death/thrash metal pioneers. Blending new material with re-recordings of classic tracks, the EP captures the intensity and technical prowess that have defined Messiah’s sound since their early days. With brutal riffs, complex arrangements, and dark, apocalyptic themes, Fatal Grotesque Symbols is a fitting addition to Messiah’s discography and a reaffirmation of their place in the death/thrash metal world. For fans of old-school death and thrash metal, the EP is a reminder of why Messiah has remained an underground favorite for so many years.
Ltd to 200 copies
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Fatal Grotesque Symbols ⸗ Darken Universe
Space Invaders
Extreme Cold Weather
