Meresin – Black Messiah

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Black metal. Perhaps no other genre of metal has ever been shrouded in as much mystery and controversy. Especially during the early 90s. However, we’re in a more contemporary era and the genre has evolved. Many of us have observed a plethora of extreme metal bands coming from the nation of Poland. Whether it’s VADER, BEHEMOTH, MGLA, BATUKSHA, or DECAPITATED, there are some seriously talented acts from this Eastern European nation. Today, we have the duo of MERESIN who call this land their home. To be truthful, I have reviewed some bands with an ‘old school’ black metal sound, and found them to be painful listens. A friend of mine humorously claimed that some black metal bands “just record using a baked potato” , such are the low production values. However, listen to MERESIN and that’ll challenge that statement. Seriously challenge it. In fact, I’d go as far to say as the duo could challenge any of the heavyweights listed above in production values!

This album combines many of the most recognised aspects of black metal. There’s definitely that strong black metal tone to the guitars, and riffs derived from the most satanic of chromatic scales. The vocals are consistently high pitched, demonic, and KVLT. Exactly what you’d expect and appreciate. However, I particularly admired the band’s ability and willingness to vary tempo, song structures and rhythms. No silly 2 minute 200bpm blast beats and tremolo picking sequences that sound like mud. No, MERESIN are much more clever. They incorporate doom and groove style sequences, with guitar tones that are thick, crushing, and can induce some heavy duty head banging. Much in the same way that BATUSKAH would. That’s not to say that they don’t use blast beats, but when they do, it really is something special, and you can feel that intensity! The use of synths throughout the album is intelligent too. Whether it’s the operatic choirs adding an unsettling undertone, or the more modern new wave rave synths, I found their inclusion to be a masterstroke! Bravo.

I would pick out one song, but seriously, you need to listen to this album in its entirety to truly appreciate it. It’ll be like a blackened wave slowly washing over you, engulfing, consuming you whole. It’s a journey. For the next album, I’m hoping that their lyrical content improves. As sadly, there’s only so many times a black metal band can resort to the ‘kill the Christian’ line that so may have done so decade before them. Also, as skilled as the guitarists are, they can sometimes sound a little thin in the mix, and I don’t think they truly demonstrate their individual talents. Overall, reviewing can be tough at times, but when you find gems like this, it injects new life into you and makes you excited for future releases. Thank you MERESIN for sharing your gift with the world.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 10
Production: 9