METZ have announced that they will be taking an indefinite hiatus following their upcoming UK and European tour.
“We have collectively decided to close this chapter of METZ,” the Canadian punk band's statement reads in part. “The band will be going on 'indefinite hiatus' as we take the time to focus on other projects and enjoy more time at home with our families.”
The trio went on to reference their more than 15 years as a band and acknowledged their “privilege and pleasure in touring the world and seeing the world,” which they described as “nothing less than life-affirming.” METZ added that the group has “brought an immeasurable amount of joy into our lives” before thanking their fans and the Sub Pop label.
“A special thanks to Sub Pop Records for always believing in us and allowing us to chart our own unconventional path,” METZ wrote. “Sub Pop continues to be a shining beacon of what is good in this deeply flawed industry, and we will always be grateful for their support and friendship. Working with people we consider family has been a true blessing.”
Closing the statement, METZ said they considered themselves “more than a band” and “we gave every ounce of ourselves” to the group. “It will be very difficult to let it go,” they said. “The intangible feeling of connection, community and inclusion that music creates has always been at the heart of what we do and will inevitably be what we will miss most. We will miss singing, screaming, sweating and dancing with all of you.”
“We hope you will join us at our final shows and help us celebrate something we will always cherish,” they concluded. Read the full statement below.
Guitarist and vocalist Alex Edkins and drummer Hayden Menzies formed METZ in Ottawa, Ontario, in 2007, and were soon joined by Chuck Saso on bass. However, when Edkins and Menzies moved to Toronto a year later, Saso stayed and they found a new bassist in Chris Slorach. Their lineup has remained the same since then.
After releasing their self-titled debut in 2012, METZ quickly gained popularity, playing New York's CMJ Music Marathon and earning a spot on the shortlist for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize. The late great Steve Albini worked on their third album, 2017. strange peacewhich earned them a Juno Award nomination.
Earlier this year, METZ launched Up on Gravity Hilltheir fifth and probably last studio album. The band's latest performance kicks off on November 2 in Rennes, France, and will include stops in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, London and more. See dates below and get your tickets here.
Editor's Note: If you're planning a trip to see METZ's final tour dates, you can save 15% on travel and accommodations through Reserva.com.
METZ 2024 Tour Dates:
02/11 – Rennes, FR @ L'Antípoda
03/11 – La Rochelle, FR @ La Sirène
04/11 – Paris, FR @ La Maroquinerie
05/11 – Clermont-Ferrand, FR @ La Cooperativa de Mai
06/11 – Lyon, FR @ Le Transbordeur
07/11 – Zurich, CH @ Bogen F
09/11 – Prague, CZ @ Futurum
10/11 – Budapest, HU @ Turbine
12/11 – Krakow, PL @ Klub Zascianek
13/11 – 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, France @ 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, United Kingdom @ Village Underground
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