It's astonishing to think that legendary record label Sub Pop has notched up over thirty years of album releases. Home to the wave of grunge bands that brought notoriety to the label in the late eighties/early nineties, the fact that they continue to enable artists like the Toronto 3-piece Metz to have an outlet is just the ticket.
For my third time in Metz' company at Leeds' Brudenell Im as excited for the prospect just as much as that first ferocious encounter with only their debut to their name. Fast forward to 2017 and now three albums in, little has changed in a live capacity apart from playing on the stage rather than from the floor. Metz thrive on sonic assaults and there's no room for those who can't handle the intense fury of Alex Edkins guitar, Chris Slorach's driving bass lines or drummer Hayden Menzies thrashing of drums.
Clearly at home again inside the rapidly warming Brudenell, Metz are unforgiving and relentless in firing out their ammunition. In comparison to 'old' favourites like 'Headache' , 'Get Off' , 'Acetate', tracks from this year's 'Strange Peace' album have perhaps more rounded edges yet still balls of absolute dynamite. 'Cellophane' a fine live example and a nod to the influence Steve Albini brought to the production of their third record.
By the end tonight, the sweat is flowing, stage divers have had a ball, and all ears have been brutally dealt with. A pleasure as always.
