Brooklyn punk trio THICK return with ‘Heavy Metal’, a furious but irresistibly fun indictment of the systemic failures people are expected to carry every day. Beginning with reports of heavy metals found in tampons, the song expands into bodily autonomy, sexual violence, inaccessible healthcare, mental health and late-stage capitalism. “We’re sold the idea that we can subvert the system with consumer choices,” the band explain, “as if the main fix for a broken system is trying harder inside it.”
Despite its title, ‘Heavy Metal’ is firmly rooted in scrappy garage punk, with a touch of riot-grrrl attitude. Bass and drums drive the verses with a surprisingly danceable groove, while fuzzy guitars lurk behind them before bursting forward in the chorus. Synths add another layer to the chaos, while THICK’s conversational, almost rapped delivery brings flashes of Beastie Boys-style swagger.
They sound pissed off, sarcastic and, crucially, united. Shouted responses and gang vocals turn individual grievances into collective resistance without sacrificing the song’s sense of fun. Its DIY video captures that perfectly, following THICK through the streets of Brooklyn as scowls, direct-to-camera performances and frustration give way to dancing and genuine smiles. It’s righteous rage you can bounce around to.
