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Messer – Self Titled Album Review - Release Date 4/20/2018
Messer – Self Titled Album Review
By: Leslie Elder Rogers
March 22, 2018
Messer, a five man, modern hard rock band from Dallas, Texas, consists of vocalist, Dereak Messer, guitarists, Donnie Deville and Javier Contreras, bassist, Maddox Messer, and drummer, Kenn Youngar. Early on, the band grew their fan base locally but finally branched out both regionally and nationally and soon began opening for bands such as Sick Puppies, Candlebox, Hinder, Black Stone Cherry, Metallica, Dokken, Drowning Pool, Local H, and Avenged Sevenfold. The list goes on to encompass so many amazing and notable bands. Los Angeles based writer/producer, Chad Gendason noticed Messer during one of these tours. There was an immediate connection between the band and Chad. They started writing with Chad and their first collaboration was “Simple Man” and was followed by “Whiskey”, both of which are part of their self-titled album “Messer” which is set for release on April 20, 2018, via Maddpants Records. The album was mixed by Ben Grosse who has worked with Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benjamin, and Disturbed and was mastered by Tom Baker who is known for his work with artists like Papa Roach, David Bowie, and Motley Crue. Messer is currently on tour with Red, Lacey Sturm, and Righteous Vendetta. Tour information can be found @ http://www.messerband.com.
“Throw It Away” and “Everything Beautiful” get the album started with a punch as the musical introduction of both songs immediately draws attention to the instrumentation. The drums roll crisply giving a good back beat to bounce to. The music industry throws a hell of a lot of crap in the path of artists these days so they do what they do best, they fight back in song. Several of the tracks “Fight of My Life” and “Simple Man” are Messer’s loud and clear declaration that they’ve had enough and are not backing down; a statement so broad that it encompasses many aspects of life in general. “Fight of My Life” shows us Dereak’s grittier, dirtier vocal approach as he seems to summon his inner James Hetfield throughout parts of the song.
Along with their more fist-waving songs, they also show us their more emotional side with “Lay Down Your Heart” and “One More Time”. They fall more into anthem styled ballads with outstanding harmony between all vocal contributions. They are reminiscent of some of the old metal ballads and give that hands in the air, waving the flame of your lighter, or these days, the flame app on your cell phone, feeling. These are songs that never get old; songs that you never tire of. “Make This Life” is the first single released from the album and it is already getting lots of air play on a plethora of radio stations. It has also been featured on many key hard rock music playlists. “Whiskey” is purely just a fast, fun, reckless good time set to music and lyrics. There isn’t much that a good ole’ drink can’t make better.
The album closes with an acoustic version of “Simple Man”. It is restrained and serene and though the lyrics do not change, the emotions pour out differently and stir the more sensitive side as it plays. Vocally, Dereak abundantly combines strength, power, and raw emotion in every lyric he sings. The guitar riffs and drum beats are performed impeccably, enhancing the full experience of each song. The instrumentation paves way for the vocals creating a perfect blend lyrically and phonically. The dynamic of the album, in its entirety, is rock-solid.
Red/Lacey Sturm/Righteous Vendetta/MESSER Tour Dates
March 1 - Columbus, Ohio @ Skully's
March 2 - Traverse City, Mich. @ Ground Zero
March 3 - Flint, Mich. @ The Machine Shop
March 4 - Bloomington, Ill. @ The Castle Theatre
March 6 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ Varsity Theater
March 8 - Des Moines, Iowa @ Wooly's
March 9 - Lincoln, Neb. @ Bourbon Theatre
March 10 - Greeley, CO. @ Moxi Theatre
March 12 - Salt Lake City, Utah @ The Complex
March 16 - Eugene, Ore. @ McDonald Theatre
March 17 - Portland, Ore. @ Hawthorne Theatre
March 18 - Seattle, Wash. @ Neumos
March 20 - Sacramento, Calif. @ Ace of Spades
March 22 - San Francisco, Calif. @ The Fillmore
March 25 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Regent
March 30 - Tempe, Ariz. @ Marquee Theatre
March 31 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
April 3 - Lubbock, Texas @ Jake's Backroom
April 4 - San Antonio, Texas @ The Rock Box
April 6 - Houston, Texas @ The Scout Bar
April 7 - Dallas, Texas @ Canton Hall
April 10 - Oklahoma City, Okla. @ Tower Theatre
April 12 - Sauget, Ill. @ Pop's
April 13 - Memphis, Tenn. @ New Daisy Theatre
April 14 - Nashville, Tenn. @ Top Golf
April 15 - Atlanta, GA. @ The Masquerade
Dates with Shallow Side
Wednesday - 4/18/2018 - Jacks Bar and Grill San Antonio
Thursday - 4/19/2018 - Sidewinder Austin TX
Friday - 4/20/2018 - Trees Dallas TX
Saturday - 4/21/2018 - Satellite Bar – Austin, TX
Sunday - 4/22/2018 - Olde Towne Tavern – Slidell, TX
Wednesday - 4/25/2018 - Ashley Street Station - Valdosta GA
Thursday - 4/26/2018 - The Warrior – Tallahassee, FL
Friday - 4/27/2018 - Working - Tampa, FL
Saturday - 4/28/2018 - Southside - Naples, FL
Sunday - 4/29/2018 – On Hold - Orlando FL
Wednesday - 5/2/2018 - Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
Thursday - 5/3/2018 - Sidetracks Music Hall – Huntsville, AL
Friday - 5/4/2018 - The Warehouse – Clarksville, TN
Saturday - 5/5/2018 – Steel Horse Rally – Fort Smith, AK
Wednesday - 5/9/2018 - The Bourbon Hall - Louisville KY
Thursday - 5/10/2018 - Amici's – Concord, NC
Friday - 5/11/2018 - The Vault – Hickory, NC
Saturday - 5/12/2018 – GroundZero - Spartanburg SC
Saturday - 5/19/2018 - Pit Stop Bar and Grill - North Richland Hills, TX - Messer Headline show
Connect with Messer:
Pledge Music Campaign: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/messerband
Official website: https://www.messerband.com
iTunes Pre-order: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/messer/1348892084
Google Play Pre-order: https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Messer_Messer?id=Bwgg2vbrw53gkx3q3prnxdhhqua&hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/messerband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messerband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/messerband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeviKEkkdtY
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7qNZ1MXOnu60GMYoZPLoRT
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/messerband
Slacker: https://www.slacker.com/song/messer/make-this-life/60068016