II

Based out of Toronto, Canadian noise punk trio METZ formed in 2008, taking equal inspiration from the battered rock trappings of '90s grunge and the noisier side of shoegaze's textural guitars. The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist Alex Edkins, bassist Chris Slorach, and drummer Hayden Menzies. They slowly developed their sound, one that drew on wiry rhythms akin to the Jesus Lizard and fuzz-laden, high-volume production, eventually inking a deal with Sub Pop for the release of their self-titled 2012 debut. The album was met with enormous critical praise, earning them spots on worldwide tours of their own, as well as in support of legendary punk acts like Mission of Burma and Mudhoney. The band kept a relatively low profile in the months leading up to the release of its second album. Tentatively titled II, the sophomore album was slated for a spring release in 2015.