The joke's on you if you still think Canada is just our laid-back, friendly neighbor up north. Futher proof to the contrary: Toronto's METZ, who would lead you to believe that Canada is one big furious mosh pit. METZ's homonymous debut, out last month off Sub Pop, is a defiant stomp onto the map, and one that is sure to leave a lasting footprint.The trio undoubtedly hits the eardrums hard, but to consider them a punk band would only scratch the surface. Tunes like "Knife in the Water" and "Wet Blanket" encompass a classic pop sensibility, but clearly METZ opt to attack in a more destructive fashion. It is this kind of balance that guitarist and singer Alex Edkins hopes the band can translate. "Our live shows seem to reflect the mix that we go for," he said by phone recently. "There are definitely the wild fans, but also the more withdrawn ones who get it from a different perspective."
This is the mentality that led METZ to be a kindred match for Sub Pop, a label that champions everything from the Ethiopian pop of our city's Debo Band to the garage rock of King Tuff. "Most people think back to those legendary early records," says Edkins of Sub Pop's grunge heritage. "But to us, I think it was how diverse Sub Pop is that made it the place to be."
Regardless of classification, one thing is certain about METZ: they are fucking loud. Their anxious breed of rock could soundtrack anything from a zombie apocalypse to a Red Bull overdose, but the entirety of their album, and live show, leaves the listener exhausted. METZ maks a stop in Cambridge on Wednesday to play the Middle East, and it's a good thing the next day is a holiday. We'll all need the time off to recover.
PERRY EATON » PERRY@ALLSTONPUDDING.COM
METZ+ PILE + SPEEDY ORTIZ:: The Middle East, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge :: November 21 @ 8 pm :: 18+ :: $9 :: 617.864.3278 or mideastclub.com
LISTEN LIVE AT WFNX.COM »METZ JOIN US IN THE STUDIO ON NOVEMBER 21
