In life, it is said, all good things must come to an end. And that old proverb certainly rings true in the case of METZ. At the end of their current tour of Europe and the UK, and after a brilliant career that stretches right back to 2007, the Canadian noise-rock trio of Alex Edkins (guitar/vocals), Chris Slorach (bass guitar), and Hayden Menzies (drums) will be calling it a day.
Before setting out on the current tour the band issued a statement: “Our upcoming EU/UK Tour will be our last. We’ve collectively decided to close this chapter of METZ. The band will be on “indefinite hiatus” while we take time to focus on other endeavours and enjoy more time at home with our families.”
It has been an illustrious career, one that’s included five excellent studio albums, a couple of live offerings, a hatful of great singles, and more live shows that you can shake a stick at. But in just four nights’ time at the Village Underground in London it will sadly be no more. It has been a fantastic ride so let us continue to enjoy it while we still can.
Last exit to Toronto. Well, the fourth to be exact but the three musicians play as if it is their very last night on earth. It is a grande finale, a victory lap, a celebration of a great time together and in keeping with such an occasion Alex Edkins promises us “a bunch of tunes from across all the records.”
And he remains true to his word as METZ deliver something from each and every one of their studio albums. And for what is exceptionally good measure, they also toss in the most suitably entitled ‘Demolition Row’ from their 2022 split 7” single with London band Adulkt Life. It all makes for an incredibly febrile mix, an edifying compilation of some of the very best moments from their recorded work, a veritable sonic epitaph on which to rest their laurels.
METZ ain’t hanging around. They hit the ground running with the heavily weaponised twin-fusillade of ‘No Reservation / Love Comes Crashing,’ the opening track from their last album Up on Gravity Hill. As a statement of intent, the message is clear. We are going out on our own terms.
From there, METZ slalom between each of their albums. Each song is an individual love letter to the cauldron of unsettled noise. ‘Acetate’ from II is dedicated to “the dancers,” a joyful bunch of men and women at the front of the stage who may not exactly trouble the Strictly judges but are having the absolute time of their lives. ‘Get Off’ from their 2012 self-titled debut is a lesson in how to best play hardcore-punk. ‘Light Your Way Home’ proves that METZ can also turn their hands to the power ballad, albeit one whose energy is sourced directly from a nuclear reactor. And ’Mess of Wires’ from their third album Strange Peace is touchingly dedicated to the late, great sound engineer Steve Albini who recorded that record with METZ at his Electrical Audio facility in Chicago.
When METZ appeared at the Brudenell Social Club in January 2013 they set up in front of the stage and played to a crowd perhaps numbering no more than about 40 folks. The fact that nearly 12 years later the main concert room here is absolutely rammed reflects just how much their popularity has grown in the interim. And the outpouring of genuine love in here tonight also shows just how much their imminent departure from the music scene is going to impact upon so many people.
Photos: Simon Godley
