Messenger “In To Win”

This album is fantastic! I didn’t think anything could unseat Stryper for album of the year but this just might. The music is so good but it’s the lyrics that set it apart. I have to dig in more to know my favorites but an early favorite is Take Flight. It’s more progressive than I usually like but still melodic, and with a meaningful message.

Follower of Jesus wrote:

This album is fantastic! I didn’t think anything could unseat Stryper for album of the year but this just might. The music is so good but it’s the lyrics that set it apart. I have to dig in more to know my favorites but an early favorite is Take Flight. It’s more progressive than I usually like but still melodic, and with a meaningful message.

 You just beat me to it FOJ! I am listening to it as I write this, lol  

It’s as good as the new STRYPER and BRIDE albums, I just couldn’t choose between them to be honest.  It’s just phenomenal from start to finish.  WOW WOW WOW 🤩🤩🤩




MESSENGER: In to Win
 5 days ago  Keven Crothers 
Without saying too much more Messenger’s In To Win IS A BEAST!!! One of the best releases for 2020!! Miss it at your own peril.



Messenger’s latest album In To Win is one of the best five albums of 2020.  High quality song writing, top notch production, fantastic musicianship is just some of the attributes that jump out immediately upon listening to the disc.
Honestly this album is light years ahead of their previous release 2012’s You Choose.  If I had known how good this album would be…
There was inkling when I heard the debut single earlier this year, Blind Sided.  A tremendous bit of heavy metal/hard rock fury, which harkened back to an Iron Maiden vibe without being a rip off. That song forced me to replay it some 3-4 times back to back. Infectious is an understatement. Lead guitarist Vladimir Gurin just BRINGS IT here, melodic but so much cranking energy that it just pumps you up!!



For the uninitiated, Messenger hail from Washington D.C. and play a traditional old school style heavy metal/hard rock.  Now some will just turn their nose up at that description but I’m telling you this album drives, cranks, rocks, kicks arse, FLAT OUT!!  The song writing this time out is a bit more direct and with the improved production, they’ve just captured lighting in a bottle this time out. Without falling into tropes and tired worn out cliché’s musically or lyrically Messenger delivers a monster album.
Album opener Time Machine sets the stage for the rest with its heavy opening riff and melodic chorus passages.  The layered guitars drive this track and bring some much energy, I think I’m gonna start head banging right now!!! BAM!!!  Album closer Fear No Evil is another pile driving track which plows along full tilt, but doesn’t forget its melodic underpinnings. Drummer Mike Zahorchak delivers the goods throughout, punchy tight and rhythmic.



Last Supper starts off with an acoustic guitar which leads you to think it might be a ballad and while one might call it one, I would argue it’s a more melodic yet moody musical passage. Lots of atmosphere with some dramatic effect, when singing of the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples how can one not?  Satan’s Nightmare offers up another great riff with some fantastic playing from Vladimir. Lyrically it might come across a bit trite but nonetheless effective.
There are so many solid songs here that to just break them all down I think would be a bit dull myself.  Seriously; Messenger at Arms, Take Flight, Anchor, and July 5 all scream of top shelf material.  Crows and the Hawk is another solid tune with very timely subject matter lyrically albeit a little clunky in the chorus, a tad too “sing songy” to these ears.



I would be remiss if I failed to mention the absolute BEST instrumental of 2020 – Trial and Triumph. It is not five minutes of guitar noodling but a melodic track which in a similar harkens back to the Scorpions “Coast to Coast.”  A great riff with melodic passages that will force you to listen again and again, just MIND BLOWING!  I admit enjoying instrumentals but this one is brilliant.  “Transylvania” is another comparison to structure as far as the journey this song takes you on.
Messenger’s captain, founder, (current) bass player, vocalist and leader Frank Clifton Herring delivers a fabulous performance throughout.  His baritone vocal cuts through smoothly with subtlety and force. However on this album Rich Sandoval handles all the bass duties with driving force solid playing.



The production is crisp and full with plenty of punch.  Every instrument has a place and isn’t obscured with too much layering. Listening in DT 770 headphones I get to hear everything perfectly without favoritism.
Oh and one more thing!!  Lyrically Messenger is bold but tries to not just rehash the “typical” Jesus per minute content many other bands have and continue to attempt. Adding a bit more depth and relevance to each song, it’s uplifting without being cheesy or tired.



https://heavensmetalmagazine.com/index.php/2020/12/15/messenger-in-to-win/

They showed potential on the last album but the production held them back imo. This thing is going on my workout list, it smokes.

Some of this reminds me of The Sacrificed with better vocal production.

Oh man I still need to get this.  Thought their last album was pretty decent, if the new one is a step up I'm really looking forward to it.

Does sound good.

Is it me, or are there lots of good stuff coming out now?

Messenger
Evans & Stokes
Stairway
Stryper
Bride
Gale Force
Trytan

etc...

I want to order this CD this week.

My CD has been delayed somehow, but I am in the process of downloading it from the band right now.  I will let you know what I think.

I'm looking forward to getting this.

Will it be available on Soundmass?  If so I'll order one!

I caved to all the hype and ordered it this weekend. 

It's good, you won't be disappointed.

I think "When I Go" is shaping up to be my favorite track. It's about Jesus' final words to his disciples telling them what to do when he left them to return to the Father. The music matches the somber theme, and the chorus is absolutely incredible. This is song of the year for me.

I finally got to finish the album today.  It has a huge sound--much bigger than their previous two albums.

As far as songwriting goes, though, I would say it is on par with those lyrically.  They are definitely believers in Christ and want people to know about Him.  The difference is in the sound quality.  They stepped up their game on this one.

Since the other two albums don't quite sound this big, I ran them through some remastering using the new album as a reference.  Now, all three of them sound just about the same on my FiiO.

I just got the album in today's mail and I'm listening to it now.  This is a substantial production/recording improvement over the last studio album.  I am really digging it.  I certainly expect it to be the top of the list of my favorites this year.

I listened to it again yesterday.  I am still favoring Stryper over this, but this will score higher than other albums from the year.

It's my number one, Stryper is good but wasn't different from the last few albums.

I finally got my copy yesterday and listened to it on the drive in to work. Man, this is A-MAZING!!!! A lot beefier from their previous release.

I agree with you TTDR this is A-MAZING !!!!!

Fundy wrote:

Does sound good.

Is it me, or are there lots of good stuff coming out now?

Messenger
Evans & Stokes
Stairway
Stryper
Bride
Gale Force
Trytan

etc...

Jimmy Brown/Deliverance's Camelot 21 should be coming soon also!

My only complain is the website.
It's hard to search for the CD you really want to order.
Maybe not for you, but when English is not your native language it is.

this album  is  A BEAST!!!

You know that moment when you put a CD in your CD player and straight away you have a beaming smile across you face?  It doesn't happen often to me, but it's just happened with Messenger's In To Win album.  Strewth, this is an incredible album.

Wow! One of your members told us that you were digging our new album and we couldn't be more thrilled.
We would love it if you would share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

We are still indy so we need all the help we can get! We can't put our links up yet (too new). See our profile for that.

If you want the CD and are having trouble, tell us and we will help you navigate our site.
Visit the Music/Discography page to see all of our releases.

Thank you - YOU ROCK!!

rockerVu2 wrote:

My only complain is the website.
It's hard to search for the CD you really want to order.
Maybe not for you, but when English is not your native language it is.

See the Music/Discography page. We hope this helps.