Choir of Horrors

A year after the Psychomorphia EP Messiah was back with thier peak album, Choir of Horrors. Thankfully this sounds much the same as the EP, although the vocals are mixed a bit louder, and the production has an inch more clarity.

I think it's fair to say that the jump of quality from those first two albums (Hymn to Abramelin, Extreme Cold Weather) to Choir of Horrors can be attributed to line-up changes preceeding this album. This is a different Messiah with two new members and two original members remaining. The result is a tighter performance with the band's ideas better focused and organized.

Like any death/thrash fan I'm looking for a lot of guitar riffs, and quality ones... Choir of Horrors certianly delivers from start to finish, although I admit the title track 'makes' this album in a sense and is a clear stand-out.

Overall, I see Choir of Horrors as a nearly perfect death/thrash album. Maintaining a healthy thrash influence, while still taking a lot from the death metal scene at the time. Just the right guitar tone, clean/audible production, and -above all- a well arranged onslaught of guitar riffs. If you need a comparison... Think something along the lines of the first three Massacra albums, Thanatos (Hol)'s 'Realm Of Ecstacy' album, or pre-'Sublime Dementia' Loudblast.

95/100