When Big Business played D.C. in support of its 2005 debut Head for the Shallow, the bass-drums duo seemed to be almost twice as loud as Kylesa, the other metal band on the bill. This was especially impressive because, at the time, Kylesa had twice as many members and three times as many amplified instruments. The Melvins might’ve had this power in mind when the long-running grunge act incorporated Big Business into its rhythm section in 2006. Or maybe they just really admired the duo’s Thin Lizzy–meets–MC5 hooks. Regardless of the reason, the merger was a success. It reinvigorated the Melvins and, judging from its relatively lush new album Mind the Drift, did nothing to diminish Big Business’ creativity. Bassist-vocalist Jared Warren and drummer Coady Willis have added a new member, guitarist-keyboardist Toshi Kasai, but they hardly need him. With just bass and drums, Big Business is heavier than most.

BIG BUSINESS PERFORMS THURSDAY AT 9 P.M. AT THE ROCK & ROLL HOTEL, 1353 H ST. NE. $15. (202) 388-7625.