METZ – “Light Your Way Home” [Single & Video Review]

Toronto’s METZ have long been blazing their distinct trail, marked by an unyielding assault of sound that merges the primal with the profound. With their latest offering, “Light Your Way Home,” METZ not only continue their exploration into the cacophony of the soul but also invite us into a slightly more melodic realm, courtesy of an unexpected yet utterly compelling collaboration with Amber Webber of Black Mountain and Lightning Dust fame.

The track itself is a testament to METZ’s evolving soundscape. Here, the band trades in some of their trademark ferocity for a more nuanced approach to noise, crafting a backdrop that’s both haunting and visceral. Webber’s guest vocals add a layer of ethereal beauty to the mix, creating a juxtaposition that’s as jarring as it is mesmerizing. It’s a sonic journey through light and darkness, guiding the listener with a flickering hope that illuminates the path ahead.

The accompanying video, directed by Colin Medley, complements the song’s thematic essence with a visual narrative that’s both beautiful and unsettling. Medley’s direction doesn’t just aim to entertain but to provoke thought, to mirror the song’s exploration of seeking guidance amid turmoil. It’s a standout piece of work that elevates the track’s impact, inviting viewers into the band’s introspective yet chaotic world. The light in the title’s namesake appears in what feels like a catastrophic (yet ultimately cathartic release) at the end of the video.

It’s a haunting work, one that exudes the sense that the viewer is privy to a tragedy unfolding in slow motion. It’s the type of malaise that used to be offered up with the type of harsh, driven noise rock that could overcharge a car battery, but instead finally reflects the auditory ennui that the TO 3-piece has evolved into.

With “Light Your Way Home,” METZ hint at what’s to come on their eagerly anticipated album Up On Gravity Hill, released on April 12th, 2024, through Sub Pop Records and Dine Alone Records. If this track is any indication, fans and newcomers alike can expect a record that not only challenges the boundaries of noise rock but also offers a rich, multi-layered experience that resonates on a deeply emotional level.

As METZ embark on their North American and EU/UK tours, with dates spanning from the intimate settings of Boston’s Crystal Ballroom to the grand stages of the Green Man Festival in the UK, it’s clear they’re not just playing shows; they’re on a mission to deliver a profound sonic experience. Whether you’re a long-time follower or a curious newcomer, METZ’s “Light Your Way Home” is a call to witness the evolution of a band that continues to redefine the edges of their genre.

METZ in 2024, photo by Vanessa Heins

Run Time: 5:08
Release Date: March 19, 2024
Record Label: Sub Pop Records, Dine Alone Records (CA)

North America

4/17 – Boston, MA – Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre $
4/19 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom $
4/20 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts $ *
4/21 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar $
4/23 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl $
4/24 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn $
4/25 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge $
4/26 – Austin, TX – The Parish (Austin Psych Fest) $
4/27 – Dallas, TX – Sons of Hermann Hall $
4/29 – Sante Fe, NM – Meow Wolf $
4/30 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar $
5/1 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah $
5/2 – Los Angeles, CA – 1720 $
5/3 – San Jose, CA – The Ritz $
5/4 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel $
5/6 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom $
5/7 – Seattle, WA – Neumos $
5/10 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club $
5/11 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge $
5/16 -Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmount $
5/17 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall $

$ w/ Gouge Away
* w/ Rid of Me

UK/EU

8/15 – Crickhowell, UK – Green Man Festival
8/16 – St Malo, FR La Route Du Rock
8/17 – Charleville-Mezières, FR – Cabaret Vert Festival
8/23 – Malaga, ES – Canela Party
11/3 – La Rochelle, FR – La Sirène
11/4 – Paris, FR – La Maroquinerie
11/5 – Clermont-Ferrand, FR – La Coopérative de Mai
11/6 – Lyon, FR – Le Transbordeur
11/7 – Zurich, CH – Bogen F
11/9 – Prague, CZ – Futurum
11/10 – Budapest, HU – Turbina
11/12 – Krakow, PL – Klub Zascianek
11/13 – Warsaw, PL – Klub Hydrozagadka
11/16 – Berlin, DE – Hole44
11/18 – Copenhagen, DK – Loppen
11/19 – Hamburg, DE – Hafenklang
11/20 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
11/21 – Groningen, NL – Vera
11/22- Antwerp, BE – Trix
11/23 – Lille, FR – L’Aéronef
11/25 – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds ^
11/26 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club ^
11/27 – Birkenhead, UK – Future Yard ^
11/28 – Bristol, UK – Strange Brew ^
11/29 – London, UK – Village Underground ^

^ w/ The None