Metz Ii

METZ - II
Subpop

Subpop returns to their heavier 90’s roots with this new cd from METZ. Bass-driven rock, aggressive and thick, the guitar a constant noisy wash, and impassioned sung/yelled vocals (often through distortion), and lots of amp hiss. However, the songwriting is fairly conventional rock, with plenty of melody. While METZ is following a well-trod path, and nothing new or unexpected happens, that is also their charm. The 90’s bands who sounded similar to this - Jesus Lizard, Green Magnet School, Six Finger Satellite, pretty much every band Amphetamine Reptile ever put out - are long gone. And it’s too bad, because this is a great genre! The record is a little too controlled for me, but I suspect they may be a bit sloppier (and more exciting live.)

FCCs: none that I heard
RIYL: Amphetamine Reptile bands, 90s “industrial rock” and/or noise rock
Recommended tracks: 1*, 2*, 7,

1 Acetate - guitar line sounds like Arab on Radar. Odd time works well. Maraca drum part is unexpected treat.
2 The Swimmer - Good, driving melody on this. Hot track.
3 Spit You Out - Killer riff, melodic chorus.
4 Zzyx - filler sounds
5 I.O.U. - A bit faster. Good melody.
6. Landfill - sounds like one of the other ones.
7. Nervous System - Starts with a scream, more punk than the others. Nice.
8. Wait in Line - Not sloppy enough.
9. Eyes Peeled - pretty awesome (though short) atonal guitar solo punctuates a straight-ahead rocker
10. Kicking a can of worms - slower and dirgier, more reverb on the vocals. Like being in a tunnel.