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

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