Planet of Doom_First Contact

Messa Feel A "Serpent Libido"

Planet of Doom_First Contact

Though we are two years away from the planned release of The Planet Of Doom, the animated film’s promotional campaign is already in motion. The film, created by producer David Paul Seymour and animator Tim Granda, follows the model set by 1981’s Heavy Metal by pairing lurid, psychedelic animation with thundering guitars provided by bands like Cirith Ungol, Ufomammut, and Messa. Messa’s contribution to the film “Serpent Libido” is featured on First Contact, an EP highlighting some of the film’s accompanying music. Stream “Serpent Libido” exclusively below.

“Serpent Libido” is a pivot for Messa — away from the nocturnal lounge of their most recent album A Feast For Water and towards doom metal’s more conventional center. Messa have jettisoned the Angelo Badalamenti-esque electric piano featured so prominently on that record and have replaced it with good ol’ fashion pentatonic riffs. The song isn’t without its twists; at its climax, Messa leap into high gear and mix in blast beats and high tempo playing that seem to emerge from another track entirely. This sudden change belies the context which “Serpent Libido” was written to fit, and also reveals that Messa are cannier songwriters than your average doom band.

The song is a strong release on its own, but it exists primarily as the score to a piece of narrative animation. Though we have yet to see the visual side of the equation, “Serpent Libido”‘s abrupt changes in pace, along with the lengthy a capella introduction, feel indicative of the band adjusting to fit a cinematic pace, rather than a purely musical one. That they are able to do so while still delivering on the fundamental appeal of their sound demonstrates an intentionality and deliberation to their other work. Messa have no problem changing their approach to fit the needs of scoring animation. This flexibility proves that their standard sound is no accident but the result of a conscious creative choice. Listening to “Serpent Libido” isn’t just enjoyable on its own, it is a trust building exercise for anyone interested in seeing how Messa evolve after a promising start.

Pre-order First Contact via Ripple Music.

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