Messiah (Swiss band)

For the techno duo, see Messiah (British band).
Messiah
Messiah in 2024
Messiah in 2024
Background information
OriginSwitzerland
GenresDeath metal, thrash metal
Years active1984–1994, 2003, 2017–present
LabelsNoise, Nuclear Blast, Massacre

Messiah is a death and thrash metal band from Switzerland. The band has had three vocalists over its existence with vocalist Andy Kaina's tenure the longest. Guitarist R.B. Broggi has been the band's only constant member since inception.

Band history

Formation, studio album releases and reunion show (1984–2003)

Messiah's debut album, Hymn to Abramelin, was released in 1986 through Chainsaw Murder Records.[1] Their second LP, titled Extreme Cold Weather, came out in 1987 and was re-issued on CD three years later by Nuclear Blast. The release also contained the band's debut album.[2] The band then managed to sign to a German major metal label, Noise Records, which released their next album, Choir of Horrors, in 1991. Messiah released two more albums, Rotten Perish and Underground, through Noise, but disbanded in the mid-1990s.[3]

The band reunited for a show in 2003. Afterwards, the band stated they have no desire to reunite.[4]

Reunion, Fatal Grotesque Symbols – Darken Universe, and Fracmont (2017–present)

At the end of 2017, the band was asked by a friend and concert promoter to play a few secret shows in Lucerne, Switzerland. The band accepted, and following the shows, decided to start writing a new album in the beginning of 2018.[5]

In June 2020, the band announced an EP titled Fatal Grotesque Symbols – Darken Universe will be released on 7 August, and that a full-length album titled Fracmont will be released a month later on 11 September, the band's first studio album in 26 years.[6]

Band members

Current members

  • R.B. Broggi – guitars (1984–1995, 2003, 2017–present)
  • Patrick Hersche – bass (1989–1992, 2003, 2017–present)
  • Steve Karrer – drums (1990–1995, 2003, 2017–present)
  • Marcus Seebach – vocals (2022–present)
  • V.O. Pulver – guitars (2023–present)

Former members

  • Rolf "Jazzi" Heer – drums (1984–1989)
  • Reto Wilhelm Kühne – bass, vocals (1984–1988)
  • Andre Steiner – guitars (1985)
  • Dave Philips – bass (1988–1989)
  • Dani Raess – guitar (1989–1990)
  • Pete Schuler – drums (1989–1990)
  • Christofer Johnsson – vocals (1994–1995)
  • Oliver Koll – bass (1994–1995)
  • Andy Kaina – vocals (1990–1994, 2003, 2017–2021) (died 2022)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

  • Hymn to Abramelin (1986)
  • Extreme Cold Weather (1987)
  • Choir of Horrors (1991)
  • Rotten Perish (1992)
  • Underground (1994)
  • Fracmont (2020)
  • Christus Hypercubus (2024)

Live Albums

  • Reanimation, Live at Abart (2010)
  • The Choir of Horrors and Rotten Perish Era Live (2018)

EPs

  • Psychomorphia (1990)
  • The Ballad of Jesus (1994)
  • Fatal Grotesque Symbols – Darken Universe (2020)

Compilations

  • Powerthrash / The Infernal Thrashing (2004)
  • Space Invaders (2018)

DVDs

  • 20 Years of Infernal Thrashing Madness (2004)

Demos

  • Demo 1984 (1984)
  • Infernal Thrashing (1985)
  • Powerthrash (1985)
  • Live Baar (1985)
  • Extreme Cold Weather (1986)

References

  1. ^ Allmusic - Hymn to Abramelin
  2. ^ Metal-Archives.com - Extreme Cold Weather
  3. ^ Allmusic - Messiah biography
  4. ^ Metal-Rules.com - Interview with Messiah
  5. ^ "MESSIAH drummer Steve Karrer talks about the new EP, the new album and a concert played with a motorcycle helmet". Markus' Heavy Music Blog. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  6. ^ "ELUVEITIE Vocalist CHRIGEL GLANZMANN To Guest On MESSIAH Comeback EP". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.