heavy-metal-darkness: Messticator |Total Mastery |Testimony Records

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Messticator |Total Mastery |Testimony Records

Release Date 13.03.2026
Format CD/LP/MC/Digital
Genre Death/Thrash Metal
Country Germany

Something filthy crawled out of the Hamburg harbor in 2019 when Messticator formed to spread their own brand of audio violence. They dropped their debut "Forthcoming Revelation" in 2022 and managed to land spots at major festivals like Wacken and Turock, proving they could hang with the heavyweights. After spitting out a Slayer cover EP to pay respects to the old gods, they returned to the studio with producer Timo Höcke. The lineup of Thomas Thede, Marvin Brühl, Maik Weinhardt, and Thorben "Tobbo" Lohmann is locked in and ready for war.

"Total Mastery" takes the foundation of their debut and injects it with pure steroids. The fusion of death and thrash metal here is volatile and dangerous. Where the first album knocked on the door, this one kicks it off the hinges. The guitar work shreds with precision while the drums provide a barrage of artillery fire. It is faster and angrier than their previous material. The production makes every riff sound like a chainsaw cutting through bone, ensuring the aggression translates perfectly to the speakers.

The energy remains high throughout the runtime. Tracks like "The Pitslayer" and "Mass Human Extinction" are absolute bangers that incite violence. The vocals are guttural and nasty, matching the hostility of the music. At over fifty minutes, the album is a massive serving of brutality, yet it manages to keep the adrenaline pumping. The artwork by Andreas Christanetoff captures the grim atmosphere perfectly. It is a relentless assault that demands headbanging until your spine gives out.

This album is a strong display of force. Messticator has sharpened their skills and delivered a collection of songs that rip. It is a skull-crushing listen for anyone who worships at the altar of heavy metal. They bring the noise and the fury in equal measure. This is a worthy purchase for any thrasher or death metal maniac looking to wreck their neck. Another kickass album for this years.

Score: 8.5