METZ 2.0

A good noisy post punk band can be one of the most exciting musical endeavors on the planet. Fuzz and distortion that will overpower your ears, passionate and alienating screaming, and an emphasis on making your ears feel as uncomfortable as possible are all staples of the style. Canada’s METZ has certainly jumped to the task with their second full length album, II. This new record isn’t exactly a huge leap from their sound on their self-titled debut, METZ, but it is exactly what the title might suggest: an updated version of their original sound. A dash more aggressive, a tinge weirder, a bit more grown up, though not necessarily more mature, which could actually have been a detriment to their sound.

II opens with “Acetate,” an aptly named track that will make your ears shudder the same way your tongue might if you taste something far too salty. While to some that may not sound like a glowing endorsement, those entrenched in the noise music community may see that as something worth seeking out – and they’d be right.

Sadly it seems that lately no good record can go without being tarnished by some weird unnecessary interlude, and METZ seems to have fallen victim to this confusing trend with their 30 second “Zzyzx,” whose purpose seems to be mainly to build up static for the beginning of the following track, “I.O.U.,” which could have honestly been presented on its own without losing any atmosphere.

Fortunately II still ends on quite a good note with their closing track “Kicking a Can of Worms.” Filled with fuzz and screams that will downright drown you, this last song is another surprisingly, if abstractly, accurate song title. One might imagine that this is a bit what being a worm in a can kicked around by a bunch of weirdo noise musicians might sound like.

Post punk is a genre that has still managed to not find itself oversaturated by the flood of folks with distorted guitars, some amp feedback, and maybe too many pedals, and thank god for that. Rather than the large number of bands all sounding so much alike you won’t be able to tell one from another, they each bring their own unique style that will undoubtedly influence another 15 bands that will just add onto that. If you’re a fan of groups like Psychic Teens, with their overwhelming barrage of sound and lights, METZ’s II will be right up your alley. Though lets hope they aim for a different type of title for their next release.