The top 12 shows of the week

Well the 14^th edition of the Suoni per il Popolo festival has heaved its last breath and this year was as good as it gets. Seeing Low and Swans within two days of each other has got to go down as the best one-two punch ever. Although Suoni will be playing possum till 2015, there are plenty of shows heating up the local haunts this week:

Thursday: For some serious bangin’ metal, hit Il Motore to catch Anciients, Black Cobra and Black Wizard. 179 Jean-Talon W., 8 p.m., $20

On the psych tip, there’s A Devil’s Din with the Octaves & Eagles and a special stripped down duo presentation from Noom, all at Casa. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $6

Friday: If it’s punk fuckery you’re looking for, catch Masked Intruder, Direct Hit, the Priceduifkes and Lost Love at Cabaret Underworld. 1403 Ste-Elisabeth, 8 p.m., $8

One of the catchiest rockers in the city, Dead Messenger, get the sweat act slot for their buds LMYR at l’Esco. 4467 St-Denis, 9 p.m., $5

If it’s garagey raunch you’re looking for, see After Party Acid People, Surprise Party, Pregs and Lunchmeat at Barfly. 4062 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $5

Gnash yer teeth to the “martial punk” of Oppression with the black metal of Basalte, the post-industrial blast of la Naegleria and the harsh noise of Watpstan at Playhouse. Keeping things heavy between bands will be DJ Nick Papagiorgio. 5656 Parc, 8 p.m., $5

For some slathered-up PBR punk, you can steer yer fixed gear to Divan Orange to catch Vancouver’s White Lung with Pop 1280. 4234 St-Laurent, 9:30 p.m., $10/$12

Saturday: Another Riot Grrl night is planned at Il Motore with a slew of bands paying tribute to their idols. Check it: Totally Stereo will jam out Stereo Total, the Bad Eggs will do Veruca Salt, Four in the Tree will lay down some Cadalaca, Posey and the Pussy Rats will shake a tambourine to Josie and the Pussycats (!), Team Bush will do Team Dresch, Seven Year Bitch and Kate Bush (?) while C(H)at Benetar will just do whatever covers happen to strike their fancy. All proceeds go to the Rock Camp for Girls so don’t be a slouch and get off the couch. 179 Jean-Talon W., 8 p.m., $20

For some seriously brutal punk, you’ll want to see NYC’s Anasazi with the dark sounds of Black Baron, NYC’s Survival and Effet Werther at Katacombes. 1635 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $8

The highlight of this stacked Saturday night is Marked Men side project Radio Activity with Bad Sports and Montreal’s greatest power poppers Sonic Avenues at the always busy Turbo Haus. Give Sergio a smoke while yer there. 1180 St-Antoine #408, 9 p.m., $10/$12

Wednesday: Finally my big pick of the week comes right in at the end when transcendental black metallists Agalloch return to Montreal to playt Sala. Their last show a couple of years back at Petit Campus was one of the my favourite metal moments of all time, so if you wondered just how far black metal can be stretched, you have to see this show. Opening is Jex Thoth and Musk Ox. 4848 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $20/$23 ■

Current obsession: Agalloch, Marrow of the Spirit