Metz at Bowery Ballroom (photo by Kevin McGann)

 

Canada’s favorite punk trio METZ returned to NYC this weekend for a blistering show in support of their latest album, Up On Gravity Hill (Sub Pop). It’s their first album of new material in four years and fans packed NYC’s Bowery Ballroom to hear some of those new tracks along with past favorites. And while the new material is a bit of a departure, likely owing to the recent power pop influence of singer/guitarist Alex Edkins’ other project, Weird Nightmare, it is in the best sense, and their punk rock roots are still strong. The energy in the bands delivery made the new songs blend seamlessly with their older material.

 

Opening the night was Florida-based Gouge Away who share a hardcore punk affinity with METZ and made for a great pairing for this tour. Lead singer Christina Michelle is a force of nature who works the stage like she’s stalking prey. And the crowd was there for it, from the mosh pit to the stage as they screamed along. A lot of the set came from their stellar new album, Deep Sage (Deathwish) which has broadened their sound as well as Michelle’s vocals. What’s most amazing is that the band nearly called it quits during the pandemic when they put the album on hold and temporarily went their separate ways.

 

 

By the time METZ took the stage the crowd was primed and ready. From the opening notes the floor erupted and crowd surfers started getting passed around. And bandmates Alex Edkins on guitar/vocals, Hayden Menzies on drums, and Chris Slorach on bass gave them plenty to mosh to as they ripped their way through tracks from Gravity Hill. Highlights included “99”, “Entwined (Light Street Buzz)”, and album opener “No Reservation/Love Comes Crashing”. When it seemed like the mayhem had finally ended and the house lights came on and the Twin Peaks theme which proceeded the show started playing, the crowd just wouldn’t accept it was over. And the band, hearing the non-stop chant of METZ! wound up coming back and closing the show with an unexpected encore of “Wet Blanket” from their 2012 self-titled debut. It was the perfect ending to an amazing show and an amazing night for both bands.

 

Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

 

GOUGE AWAY

 

METZ