Toronto-based Metz has consistently continued to gain praise for their fabled live performances as well as their general uncompromising attitude towards their creative output, regardless of public reception (which is, in fact, quite positive). After two well-received full length albums since the band’s inception in 2012 (self-titled and II) and an incredible amount of touring, the trio has now teamed up with Three One G for the first time to release this Eraser/Pure Auto 7”.
No tempo is sacred and no riff too maniacal on this release, which is about par for the course when dealing with Metz. “Eraser” features vocals full of feedback and distortion, far away as if vocalist Alex Edkins is singing (or shouting, as the song calls for) at us through an old walkie-talkie. More specifically, through a walkie-talkie with a self-detonating landmine filled-field of drummer Hayden Menzies and bassist Chris Slorach’s explosive playing between it and the listener.
“Pure Auto” hits the ground running even faster and harder than Side A. The guitar wails, interspersed with discordant moments and pushed by steady percussion. The music is tight and skillfully played, but the mood of the song emits the white-knuckle tension of being aboard a train that could derail at any moment. Layers upon layers of sound build and bounce off one another and propel themselves into your skull, encouraging many listens to these two newest tracks from a band that wants nothing more than to punch you in the gut with their music.
Track Listing :
1. Eraser
2. Pure Auto