METZ
Atlas Vending
One of my first priorities when the quarantine is over will be to start going to shows again. Not sure how well it’s going to go with a newborn child (quarantine makes fools of us all), but the Metz have shot up the priority list as one of the must-see live acts ever since Atlas Vending came out. Why? Because it’s the best thing they’ve done yet.
One of the reasons I wax philosophical about the Metz is because they were a missed opportunity for me on many occasions. It was clear when they first hit the scene that there was something special about them: that catchy rage, mixed with pounding beats and near-indecipherable guitar was something that, put together, made for a fresh and fun listen. They’ve managed to remain a fairly active band ever since their debut, yet I keep missing out on them when they come to town.
The Metz seem to know what they do well and have been doing it album after album, but it’s only on Atlas Vending that, surprisingly, they’ve made their sound much more accessible. Yes, Metz albums have that unique characteristic where you know you’re enjoying them when you’re listening to them, but you can’t really remember them after. It’s only here where Metz has further refined their formula and added some much-needed hooks and catchiness. While their previous three albums play like a continuous barrage of noise matched with a pulsing beat (and I mean that in a good way), the songs on Atlas Vending stand out and make this more of a journey, and quite an exciting one at that. I’m happy to say that Edkins’ vocals are as loud and indecipherable as always, which is the same I will say about his guitars. Bassist Slorach is tasked with bringing a melody and he does so in beautiful compliment. All this is rounded out by drummer Hayden Menzies who plays loudly and intricately, yet with a slight repetitiveness that will catch listeners’ attention. From the blazing “Pulse” to the downright poppy “A Boat to Drown In,” the Metz have managed to create a remarkably enjoyable album that also sounds quite violent.
Sub Pop vinyl is always a pleasure to own because they always do a little extra for their releases. Atlas Vending comes in an embossed sleeve, sporting a printed sleeve, poster, and this “loser” edition clear smoky vinyl that looks like a slab of marble. Sub Pop makes noise this loud look classy.
The songs on Atlas Vending are simply a heightened version of what Metz has been doing and show a further maturation of the band in a great direction. One of the best albums of 2020.
Get it from Sub Pop.
