Messiah is a death/black 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.
Their sound has been described as "hopelessly un-commercial" by AllMusic and has drawn comparisons to Hellhammer and Kreator. The band's lasti influence on the development of extreme metal substantially eclipses their commercial success.
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.[ Allmusic - Hymn to Abramelin] Their second LP, Extreme Cold Weather, came out in 1987 and was re-issued on CD three years later by Nuclear Blast. The release contained the band's debut album. The band signed to 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.[ Allmusic - Messiah biography]
The band reunited for a show in 2003. Afterwards, the band stated they had no desire to reunite.Metal-Rules.com - Interview with Messiah
Reunion, Fatal Grotesque Symbols – Darken Universe, and Fracmont (2017–present) At the end of 2017, the band was asked by a concert promoter to play a few secret shows in Lucerne, Switzerland. The band accepted, and following the shows, started writing a new album in the beginning of 2018.
In June 2020, the band announced that the EP Fatal Grotesque Symbols – Darken Universe would be released on 7 August, and that a full-length album titled Fracmont would be released a month later on 11 September, the band's first studio album in 26 years.
Band members Current members R.B. Broggi – guitars Patrick Hersche – bass Steve Karrer – drums Marcus Seebach – vocals V.O. Pulver – guitars
Former members Rolf "Jazzi" Heer – drums Reto Wilhelm Kühne – bass, vocals Andre Steiner – guitars Dave Phillips - bass Dani Raess – guitar Pete Schuler – drums Christofer Johnsson – vocals Oliver Koll – bass Andy Kaina – vocals
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
External links [ Messiah] at Allmusic