Music / Garage
Review: Metz, The Fleece
There’s no denying that Metz have developed something of a love affair with Bristol. As the abrasive Toronto noise-makers returned to the city once again, conversations of their past shows at The Fleece and Start The Bus could be heard around the venue in anticipation.
This time the three piece are bringing their unsettling third record titled Strange Peace through the doors. Once again it’s a frantic barrage of sound that can’t help but incite a certain chaos both physically and emotionally. The punishing slew of tracks they deliver are born from much more than the intention of writing a noisy record though. Under the surface of the new album there’s a lot going on. “It’s about recognising that we’re not always in control of our own fate, and about admitting our mistakes and fears”, said frontman Alex Edkins earlier in the year.
is needed now More than ever
Tonight there’s a sense of safety inside the walls of the venue. The band bring together a crowd of familiar faces from the Bristol music scene. Of course we see all of our favourite tracks across their three albums. Whether that’s newer material like the unrelenting Mess Of Wires or older numbers like Acetate and Spit You Out. Unsurprisingly vocalist Alex Edkins looks like he’s just got out of a rainstorm by the end of the set. This is a band that pour so much into their live shows and that’s immensely visible to the crowd gathered.
Support came from emerging Bristol punks Heavy Lungs. The four-piece announced themselves with the confidence of a band who’d played much more than a mere handful of shows. They opened with the first slice of their forthcoming EP Poster Boy and each member brought their own unique quality to the set. Whether that was drummer George Garratt laughing like a maniac from behind the drums or guitarist Oliver Southgate bringing back the windmill technique coined by Pete Townsend. Our eyes are open and awaiting that EP.
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