Heavy music has a unique ability to penetrate through everything, reaching something primal and potent. Musicians channel their suffering, pain, and life's disappointments into their art. Few rock bands comprehend the essence of heavy music as well as Toronto's METZ, which delivers an overwhelming sensory experience filled with raw energy.
Members Alex Edkins (guitar, vocals), Hayden Menzies (drums), and Chris Slorach (bass) express gratitude for their numerous fans and their label, Sub Pop, which has consistently allowed METZ to be authentic and grow at their own pace. They have validated their lives through their collaborative music-making.
Last October, METZ announced an indefinite hiatus. Edkins notes that discussions about pausing the band arose during their 2024 tour for 'Up On Gravity Hill,' their concluding album. This break is not due to a diminishing creative drive; rather, Edkins and his bandmates are currently engaged in solo projects, perhaps more than ever before. “I’ve got Weird Nightmare, Noble Rot, film and TV composition, and I’ve been producing records for others as well; it’s been an absolute joy,” he shares.
“Everything has a lifespan where it feels just right," Edkins remarks. "For us, at this moment, we need to explore other avenues. It’s time to experiment with different people, a challenging decision we don’t take lightly. We were fortunate to find one another and also to be with Sub Pop, which has been incredibly supportive and allowed us to be ourselves. We never aimed to conform to any specific demographic. We maintained our friendship as a band, became a family, and navigated the highs and lows that accompany this lifestyle, which is no small feat; it’s actually quite difficult.”
“It’s emotional to reflect on this, but METZ has ultimately been a tremendous blessing for the three of us, and we dedicated more than 15 years to it,” Edkins explains. “Eventually, being in hotels or concert venues began to weigh on my conscience. While music is my passion, something felt amiss, and I needed to find balance. I don’t want to miss out on my son’s upbringing for the sake of great rock performances.”
Being career punk rockers is uncommon, and METZ recognized their good fortune. A vast number of talented punk bands have struggled to find the right resources to make a living from their music. Edkins recalls a famous quote from Robbie Robertson of The Band, who said, “16 years, the numbers start to scare ya.” METZ formed in 2007 when Edkins met Menzies, and they subsequently moved to Toronto.
After relocating to Toronto, Edkins and Menzies connected with Slorach and began performing in small venues. Four years later, Sub Pop released METZ’s acclaimed debut album, which was nominated for a Polaris Prize and featured on numerous Top Albums lists in 2012. From that point on, every METZ song was distinct. Their tracks penetrate the mind, compel you to move rapidly, and no other band achieves this in quite the same way.
Reflecting on the past, Edkins acknowledges that he was quite stressed during those earlier years. “Even while living out my dream, I was still adjusting to my new environment,” he admits. “The intense, fast-paced atmosphere of Toronto was challenging, especially after moving from Ottawa. ‘You can hear it in the music; I was overwhelmed.’ It's intriguing how, when writing lyrics, the emotions and words emerge from a subconscious place, and I often only comprehend the context afterward.”
The desire to escape is a recurring theme in METZ’s songs. Their debut features escapist lyrics and this sentiment continued through to the last track on 2020’s 'Atlas Vending,' ‘A Boat To Drown In’: “Hold on tight/We’re leaving at midnight/And if we don’t leave now, we’re not getting out alive… Hands tied, throw the old plan out/Because I need to leave this place now more than ever.”
“All music serves as a release valve; it’s essential for people to express their emotions creatively and positively, and I've always been aware of that,” Edkins comments, noting that METZ fell in love with heavy music early on, growing up in an inclusive and supportive music community. “The physicality and intensity can be addictively engaging, which motivated us all. Watching fans dance and mosh to the music is an unparalleled feeling; it’s an extraordinary high.”
The cathartic energy that made METZ special transcended the idea of just being a band. Why stop?
“We’re not the same individuals we were,” Edkins states. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve all evolved and now follow different paths. METZ took precedence over everything, and that’s the band you’ve all come to know; I wouldn’t change that for anything. However, the last tours were enlightening. We had
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Heavy music has a unique ability to penetrate through all barriers, connecting with something primal and intense. Musicians channel their hurt, pain, and life's disappointments into