Throwing a fit is back in style, and Canadian noise rock band METZ has got it down to a science.

I’ve been addicted to their album (self titled: Metz) ever since Sub Pop threw it into my lap a couple of months ago. It was only after having my ear drums destroyed by Jack White at L’Olympia that I had to take a self-imposed break from listening to their album. Even thinking about their first single “Headache” made my ears bleed. And I mean that in the kindest of ways.

The three piece band from Toronto*, has been paying its dues over the last three years, touring the circuit and releasing their first 7” back in January of 2009. Since then, be it a skate shop or at a festival, METZ has been ripping it up anywhere and everywhere possible.

Their performances speak for themselves. You truly have to be at a show to understand the kind of experience their live act produces. However, their strength on stage is a double edged sword, as it made it hard to expect anything from their first full length album.

Luckily, Graham Walsh (of Holy Fuck) and Alexandre Bonefant were up for the challenge. The two figured that the only best way to encapsulate the power METZ brings to their shows was by sticking the entire band in an old barn for a week with a portable recording rig, and just letting them have at it.

This approach led to new layers and textures emerging in their signature sound. Upon first listen, songs like “Wet Blanket” and “Rats” sound like your run of the mill trashy noise band. However, both songs will quickly earworm their way into your brain and stay there until you grasp the complexity and cohesiveness of the thrashing guitar, bass and the out of this world drumming the track contains.

And really, if that’s not enough of a reason to take a listen, consider that the New Yorker even picked up these guys for Christ sakes.

*Yes, a Canadian band without a twelve piece string accompaniment, it’s a fucking Halloween miracle!