Metabolist

Metabolist were a UK experimental group formed in London in 1975. By January 1977 the line-up was Malcolm Lane (guitar, synth, vocals), Simon Millward (bass, vocals, synth), Mark Rowlatt (drums, percussion) and Anton Loach, with Jacqueline Bailey dedicated to designing the band's record covers in a Suprematist style. Their sound honed on the repetitive minimalism featured in Post-punk and Krautrock, with tints in lo-fi Magma-esque passages sneaking their way in through pronounced bass lines. Within the UK press their sound was roughly lumped alongside several other UK experimentalists, The Pop Group, Cabaret Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle and This Heat. While tied to many preconceived conceptions, “a poor man's This Heat” comes as a classic example; the group procured a different sound upon each release. Aside from British counterparts, the band also claimed continental influences from Can, Gong and Magma.

Early on, Metabolist came to the executive decision to steer clear of capital record labels, forming undefined. In their short career the band only released one full-length LP, with a scattering of 7” singles and cassettes on the side. Their lone album Hansten Klork (1980) acts as their most complete recording. Each bandmember took an active responsibility in recording, mixing and editing; giving freedom to ideas, time, and money. Indicative of these procedures the band's sound is defined by a rougher edge. Unfortunately these independent actions have lead to restricted re-issue abilities, with original copies being sought-after items.

The band split up sometime in the early 1980s. Malcolm Lane would go on to play in The Luminaries.