IN REVIEW: Metz - "Metz II"

What to do when your debut album blows the blogosphere's collective mind, and you're heralded as one of the most exciting new bands to come along in recent memory? While some bands would run screaming from the pressure and/or let the attention go to their heads, Metz follows up their acclaimed 2012 debut with more of the same. Just like their debut record, Metz II is an crushing mix of noisy punk and menacing mid-tempo cuts.

There is a little cautious advancement here, and some songs benefit from the few years' added experience; hard charging rocker Zzyzx wouldn't have been this tight in 2012, and their younger selves probably wouldn't have given lead single Spit You Out the same room to breathe that they do here. That said, you won't notice the changes unless you're looking for them; these are very subtle changes for a band whose sound is anything but.

By and large, this isn't a stylistic leap you can accurately measure except in baby steps, but all of the raw power of their debut is fully intact on Metz II. If you're ready to go another half hour round with one of Canada's noisiest exports, Metz are still swinging hard.

May 5, 2015 • Sub Pop

Highlights Acetate • Zzyzx • Spit You Out

Comments

Year in Rock 2025

Alright, I've got some explaining to do. By now anyone who's visited this blog is well aware of how infrequently I've used this space in recent years; aside from the occasional fertile year of content, I really haven't posted all that often over the last five years or so. There are many reasons for this, which have already been outlined in previous apology posts; but, essentially, it boils down to my own laziness and the cold reality that blogs are, like Refused (again), fucking dead. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for a triumphant return to reviews, or even semi-regular posts, but: a) I feel like Year in Rock posts have always belonged here and, even though I've experimented with different methods of presentation recently and been satisfied, the "blink and you missed it" unveiling via Facebook stories this year was perhaps ultimately a disservice to the records I lauded. After all, cramming the list into short videos isn't too far off from ju...

Year in Rock 2016: Solo Artist Nominees

Artists who stand alone, who put their name on their album jackets and assume full responsibility for the art they give to the world, exhibit a kind of bravery that I've always admired. It takes courage to stand on that proverbial stage in solitude; this year's nominees faced varying degrees of challenges, but they all shared the desire to stare down the criticisms and expectations of every other individual they shared the air with and exclaim, "Don't worry. I've got this." Your Year in Rock 2016 nominees for Solo Artist Recording of the Year are:

Year in Rock 2024

So, how weird is it to post a Year in Rock 2024 write-up a year late? Honestly, this is just for posterity; with a post to wrap up 2025 possibly posted by the time you see this, I couldn't stand the gap that would otherwise be present. I'll have more to say, but will wait until the Year in Rock 2025 post to say it. Instead, I'll just dive right in with the list. This will be the least exciting Year in Rock post you've ever seen. 25. The Smashing Pumpkins - "Aghori Mhori Mei" 24. Japandroids - "Fate & Alcohol" 23. Pearl Jam - "Dark Matter" 22. Cheekface - "It's Sorted" 21. Kim Gordon - "The Collective" 20. High Vis - "Guided Tour" 19. Acid Mammoth - "Supersonic Megafauna Collision" 18. Microwave - "Let's Start Degeneracy" 17. IDLES - "TANGK" 16. Jerry Cantrell - "I Want Blood" 15. Chat Pile - "Cool World" 14. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard ...

SOUND BITES

Search This Blog