8 essential punk, metal & rock shows

Although the frigid months were definitely held down by the locals at our regular haunts, the slightly warmer weather has steered some touring vans our way. This week is jam-packed, so don’t miss out.

Friday: For those who like to feel the darkness, you can catch New York’s Black Marble and You with openers Police des Moeurs and Fatal Suit and DJ Personne, at Katacombes. 1635 St-Laurent, 9 p.m.

Montreal’s favourite crooner, Mark Sultan (aka BBQ), will shake the floorboards of Divan Orange with openers the Let Outs and Lunar Exile, and DJ Érik Élektrik on the wheels of steel. 4234 St-Laurent, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday: Montreal sludge/stoner lords Dopethrone will be hitting the brown note with Moncton’s Zaum (if you dig Om, you will definitely dig this duo), Toronto’s much-ballyhooed Greys (shit-rag Rolling Stone just deemed them a band to watch) and Mountain Dust at the totally terrific Turbohaus. 1180 St-Antoine #408, 8 p.m. sharp

Sunday: Oddly enough, the Sabbath is the busiest night of the week. You can start things off with the book launch for Barred for Life, a photo journal of Black Flag bars tattoos, with author Stewart Dean Ebersole making the scene, as well as Laureate getting the TV party started. Soundcentral (4486 Coloniale), 3:30 p.m., free

For anyone currently doing cartwheels over the Burger Records roster, you can catch Burger’s own Peach Kelli Pop (nice Redd Kross snatch there) with the Rejectors and Homa, at Katacombes. 1635 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $8

For those missing the grand days when punk was riddled with lysergically drenched psych, you can catch New Brunswick’s Astral Gunk with fugged up rockers Devil Eyes and Nubians at the best little punk bar in the city: Brasserie Beaubien. Annie’s waiting for ya. 73 Beaubien E., 10 p.m., $6/PWYC

Monday: Although Tuesday’s show announcement is pretty hefty, the show of the week would definitely be the minimalistdrone and decibel-slashing buzz of Sunn O)))’s Stephen O’Malley with local drone nerds Aim Low and a special set from turntablist Martin Tétraeault and Voivod drummer extraordinaire Michel “Away” Langevin. If you caught O’Malley’s mesmerizing set with Tim Hecker at last year’s MUTEK fest, you know how good this is going to be. La Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent), 9 p.m., $15/$18

Tuesday: Finally, don’t miss the chance to catch synth pop legend Gary Numan in the tiny confines of Café Campus with Big Black Delta and Roman Romains. 57 Prince Arthur E., doors 7:30 p.m., $25/$30 [Wanna win a pair of tickets to this show? Click here!]

Current obsession: Chavez, Ride the Fader

jonathan.cummins@gmail.com