Xander
Messer, are a hard rock band based out of Dallas, TX. The band is made up of Dereak Messer (vocals), Donnie Deville (guitar), Javier Contreras (guitar), Kenn Youngar (drums) and Maddox Messer (bass). They have recently released the single “Make This Life” as they prepare to release their debut full length will be released through Maddpants Records on April 20th. The single has been on the play rotation on SiriusXM Octane as well as many other streaming services such as Spotify, iTunes, Google Play Music, Soundcloud, Slacker and YouTube.
Messer has developed a solid fan base in their home state of Texas and continue to garner attention nationally, opening for notable bands such as Sick Puppies, Candlebox, Hinder, Vince Neil, Black Stone Cherry, Lynch Mob, Drowning Pool, Local H, Trapt, Metallica, Dokken, Scott Stapp Of Creed, Avenged Sevenfold, and Buck Cherry.
Many of the songs on the album are very polished, edgy, and have that arena anthem feel – where the listener can sense many fans fist pumping, head bobbing and singing along. If you are a fan of bands such as Shinedown, Three Days Grace, Five Finger Death Punch, SIXX A.M., with a splash of Thousand Foot Krutch or Skillet then you will definitely love Messer.
Though the album is full of catchy memorable rock tunes, there are also the slower and melodic ballads that seem at times to be more filler – which is the only drawback to the album. Not that they are bad songs. The songs seem a little out of place. Stand out tracks on this album include the opening track “Throw It Away”, “Fight Of My Life”, “Make This Life”, “Simple Man”, and “Save Myself”. This is a very solid debut album.
They will be hitting the road in support tour in March and April with Red, Lacey Strum and Righteous Vendetta.
Rating – 7/10
Track listing
Throw It Away
Everything Beautiful
Fight of My Life
Still Better Off
Lay Down Your Heart
Make This Life
Simple Man*
Save Myself
One More Time
Whiskey
Simple Man* (Acoustic)
* Original – not to be confused with Lynard Skynard’s “Simple Man”
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings