Toronto-based band, METZ has released their stunning new video for “Blind Youth Industrial Park,” the latest track from Atlas Vending, the band’s soon-to-be-released new album. The beautifully dystopian video depicts a woman dragging an injured companion on a stretcher through an alien landscape as the pair are tracked by a squad of armed soldiers, and provides a sharp contrast to the song, which is an ode to the naivety of youth and the freedom of being unburdened by the world around you.
Shot in Queenstown, on the South Island of New Zealand, “Blind Youth Industrial Park” was directed by Dylan Pharazyn. Here’s Pharazyn on his inspiration for the video:
“I started thinking of the feeling of war or samurai films, beautiful but dark and violent… but then I had this idea to work up a more unique world… I started to think of a more futuristic setting — more unusual and dream-like with the story set on a distant planet where there is future technology and some kind of alien magic… like a futuristic fable. I loved the idea of the hero Ayeth on this nomadic walk through an epic landscape… I loved the strength in her and the pairing of her with a wounded companion, something really human and vulnerable… I wanted that emotive warmth countering the cold military images.”
Known for their unrivaled, high energy live shows and relentless touring, the band has felt a huge void with the loss of live music this year. In the hopes of capturing some of that inimitable spirit and connection, today METZ are also announcing that they will perform Atlas Vending, in its entirety, live from The Opera House in Toronto. These live streams will air in North & South America at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on October 15th, and on Oct 17th at 8 pm BST / 9 pm CEST / 8 pm AEST for those in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Frontman Alex Edkins shares that “Something that is intrinsic to who we are as people has been taken away. We want, so badly, to find that feeling again, to forget the world for a moment, and share a brand new album that we love very much (plus some oldies) with you. To all the people of the world who have come to our shows to dance, sweat, and scream, we hope you can join us once again with this show.” You can purchase tickets and ticket bundles with LPs and merch for these shows via their website.
Atlas Vending is out on October 9th on Royal Mountain Records and Sub Pop. It is available for pre-order.