METZ 2015
METZ Band Photo

Album Review: METZ – METZ II

METZ II CoverFor most of the world, METZ’s blitz onto the scene back in 2012 must’ve seemed uncanny. They arrived with a fully formed sound brilliantly captured on their debut, and an infamously vicious live show whose dank reputation spread across the world like a deadly disease. But by the time the world was just learning about and subsequently falling into that sadistic form of love that only music this unruly can create, METZ were already cult legends back in their hometown of Toronto. Those who had been paying attention knew it was only inevitable that METZ continue on the legacy of one of the world’s best kept secret hardcore hotbeds.

 

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Thanks to Drizzy, Toronto’s best ever hype man, the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is currently a wellspring of hot new talent in the hip hop/R&B music sector. But before the Great Rise of Drake, the area’s primary music export was rooted in punk and hardcore. Around the turn of the century, furious bands like No Warning dominated the Toronto’s scene, bred from the frustrations of a city whose infrastructure was slowly but surely failing while it struggled to find its identity in the world. This bubble grew and grew, until it finally burst with the massive break out of Fucked Up, and their subsequent win of the Polaris Prize. Toronto hardcore became almost cliched, and the hype died down, allowing the bands with actual heart and soul to flourish while those just in it for its trendiness weeded themselves out. Releasing their debut demo back in 2009, METZ is one of those bands with actual heart.

METZ 2015METZ rightfully turned a lot of heads back in 2012. It was loud and pissy as all hell, yet somehow really catchy in a psychotic sort of way. Yet by no means was it perfect, as it was plagued with unnecessary interludes and a slight sense of monotony. METZ II, their follow up, is a perfect title for their new record, as it is more of a continuation and refinement than an actual departure. The album as a whole is tightened up; there’s only one instrumental interlude and its only 35 seconds long. The songs are better too. METZ was punchy but kind of one note; the songs came in quick and hard, not sticking around too long. On II, METZ are more willing to take their time with a track, letting it develop, seeing where it goes. There’s a bit more focus on melody this time around too, albeit the simplistic, grainy melodies that bring to mind when grunge and punk weren’t too far off from each other.

METZ have yet to make their first “Great Album”, but I have faith. The progression from their debut to their sophomore is obvious and impressive considering how actualized they seemed to be when METZ appeared. METZ surprised the world with their first album and have improved with their second; if they keep this level of quality up, it only stands to reason that they will shock us with their third. In the meantime, they’ve brought attention and admiration for noisy rock back to Toronto, as seen with the recent breakout success of bands like Greys, Teenanger, and the Dirty Nil. Once again, Toronto is the heavy city it has always meant to be.

Ridiculous Made Up Genre of the Day: blunt force grunge

Rating: 4/5

http://www.metzztem.com/

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