Medz
Dublin based Medz recently dropped us a line about their 5 track EP, Psycho Fever, to see what we thought about things. Having been together for a year, this 4 piece collection of 3 Dubliners and a Brazilian seem to be on track to achieving world domination, having already played the majority of venues around Dublin. What struck me most initially about these guys is that they’ve had negative feedback based on their bio, when (as they say) surely the aim of these things should be to look at the musical side of things! Personally, I know what the guys have been up to, I’ve got the tracks, and that’s all that matters!
Title track Psycho Fever certainly suggests good things are to follow as it comes in to being, a sludgy guitar line paving the way before a selection of spoken vocals takes over, all building up to the beginning of the song. As the track grows around you it’s impossible not to be immersed into the infectious guitar line, the mixture of lead and rhythm working in perfection before the low and story like vocals fade in to complete the mix. Keeping things firmly based in the rock side of the arena, there’s a sense of the atmospheric running through things here, creating a sound which is both raw and refined at the same time, hooking you in from start to finish to see what else they’ve got on offer. Breathing For No Reason marks a change in pace in the progression, sounding much more laid back as it begins before launching into a melody laden mixture of instruments. The bass is kept high here to add a rumbling feeling to things, the vocals ranging from low to high to keep things interesting and moving, the carefully pieced together drum work backing everything up to create another track which is going to get you involved and interested. 2 tracks in and one thing is clear to me, this is going to be a band to see on the live scene for sure!
Sliding Down presents a bassy opening, once again keeping that rumbling feeling there but adding in a mysterious edge so as not to give away exactly what’s going to be coming next. The soaring lead line which echoes out over the rhythm backing does all the explanation which is needed, once again crafting a track which is sure to slay on the live circuit. More urgent this time, the track seems to adopt a pace which is going to get you moving, involved and loving what the band are throwing out at you. The same can be said for Enemies, once again relying on the bass to get things started and once again, using some of the spoken words to lure you in. The vocals this time adopt a more gravelly approach, still keeping the sense of melody firmly at the forefront of things but not giving away exactly how the track is going to progress. This track stands out as a serious high point on the EP for me, and a track which I know I’ll be coming back to time and time again. There’s the exact mix of energy and emotion here, all flowing out together to craft a track which will suit chilled out moment and other moments when you want to get seriously involved.
Closing with Bleeding Me the band have one last moment of glory on the EP before letting you make up your own mind, leaving you with a serious taste for what they’ve got on offer. Catchy, powerful and crafted for the live scene once again, this is another track which stands out as a moment which the band have carefully thought about before releasing, it’s got a seriously refined edge to things without becoming overly commercialised. Personally, if I had to choose then this would be the single from the EP, it’s a track which is accessible and powerful at the same time, showing off what the band can do without forcing it upon anyone who listens to it.
I struggle to comprehend how reviewers can complain about a lack of information about these guys, as personally I think the music has done all the talking which is needed. In my own, humble opinion, some people rely on bands writing half of the review for them, not giving their own opinion on things or allowing their minds to create words for themselves. I think however that what you’ve got here is an EP which demonstrates a band who are on the road to somewhere awesome, somewhere where people are only interested in the music which is on offer rather than who the band actually are. Take this EP, put it on and have a listen – that’s all you need to know!
To find out more about Medz, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Title track Psycho Fever certainly suggests good things are to follow as it comes in to being, a sludgy guitar line paving the way before a selection of spoken vocals takes over, all building up to the beginning of the song. As the track grows around you it’s impossible not to be immersed into the infectious guitar line, the mixture of lead and rhythm working in perfection before the low and story like vocals fade in to complete the mix. Keeping things firmly based in the rock side of the arena, there’s a sense of the atmospheric running through things here, creating a sound which is both raw and refined at the same time, hooking you in from start to finish to see what else they’ve got on offer. Breathing For No Reason marks a change in pace in the progression, sounding much more laid back as it begins before launching into a melody laden mixture of instruments. The bass is kept high here to add a rumbling feeling to things, the vocals ranging from low to high to keep things interesting and moving, the carefully pieced together drum work backing everything up to create another track which is going to get you involved and interested. 2 tracks in and one thing is clear to me, this is going to be a band to see on the live scene for sure!
Sliding Down presents a bassy opening, once again keeping that rumbling feeling there but adding in a mysterious edge so as not to give away exactly what’s going to be coming next. The soaring lead line which echoes out over the rhythm backing does all the explanation which is needed, once again crafting a track which is sure to slay on the live circuit. More urgent this time, the track seems to adopt a pace which is going to get you moving, involved and loving what the band are throwing out at you. The same can be said for Enemies, once again relying on the bass to get things started and once again, using some of the spoken words to lure you in. The vocals this time adopt a more gravelly approach, still keeping the sense of melody firmly at the forefront of things but not giving away exactly how the track is going to progress. This track stands out as a serious high point on the EP for me, and a track which I know I’ll be coming back to time and time again. There’s the exact mix of energy and emotion here, all flowing out together to craft a track which will suit chilled out moment and other moments when you want to get seriously involved.
Closing with Bleeding Me the band have one last moment of glory on the EP before letting you make up your own mind, leaving you with a serious taste for what they’ve got on offer. Catchy, powerful and crafted for the live scene once again, this is another track which stands out as a moment which the band have carefully thought about before releasing, it’s got a seriously refined edge to things without becoming overly commercialised. Personally, if I had to choose then this would be the single from the EP, it’s a track which is accessible and powerful at the same time, showing off what the band can do without forcing it upon anyone who listens to it.
I struggle to comprehend how reviewers can complain about a lack of information about these guys, as personally I think the music has done all the talking which is needed. In my own, humble opinion, some people rely on bands writing half of the review for them, not giving their own opinion on things or allowing their minds to create words for themselves. I think however that what you’ve got here is an EP which demonstrates a band who are on the road to somewhere awesome, somewhere where people are only interested in the music which is on offer rather than who the band actually are. Take this EP, put it on and have a listen – that’s all you need to know!
To find out more about Medz, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls