Meth Drinker was a three-piece sludge metal band from Wellington, New Zealand, active from 2010 to 2015. Formed by James Quick (bass, vocals), Tony Pearson (drums, vocals), and Sam Thurston (guitar), the trio emerged from the ashes of previous projects Drug Problem and Shortlived, drawing inspiration from sludge pioneers like Acid Bath, Eyehategod, Noothgrush, and Grief. Known for their crushing, suffocating sound, Meth Drinker blended plodding tempos, discordant riffs, and grinding feedback to create a raw, industrial-tinged atmosphere, often teetering on the edge of collapse.

The band debuted with a self-titled album in March 2011, recorded at Scumbag College and released on Always Never Fun Records. Lauded for its oppressive tone and standout tracks like a sludge cover of The Shining’s “Dies Irae,” the album earned praise both locally and internationally. That year, they also appeared on the New Zealand punk compilation Welcome to the Arse-End of the World. Meth Drinker became a staple in the local scene, frequently sharing stages with contrasting acts like thrash-grindcore band Numbskull.

In 2012, they released a split EP with Hamilton’s Open Tomb, launched at a memorable show in a WWII era bunker in Wellington. The band’s international presence grew with a 2013 European tour alongside Graves At Sea and Dead Instrument, kicking off at Copenhagen’s Heavy Days in Doomtown festival. Their debut album was repressed by Raw Birth Records for the tour. Back home in 2014, Meth Drinker released their second LP, Oil, a continuation of their bleak, heavy sound.In 2015, they toured Europe again with Dutch band Weak, releasing a split 12” EP with Slovenia’s Leechfeast. Their final show was in St. Petersburg, Russia, as Tony Pearson relocated to Australia later that year, effectively ending the band.

A posthumous split 12” with Dead Instrument followed in 2016. Over their five-year run, Meth Drinker cultivated a dedicated following, leading to reissues of their catalog, including a CD version of Oil compiling their split EP material. Their legacy endures as one of the most intense acts to emerge from Wellington’s punk scene.

Links

Meth Drinker interview – Subcide webzine, February 2, 2013

Origin	Turret House, Wellington
Genre	sludge
Years Active	2010 – 2015
Labels	Always Never Fun Raw Birth Dry Cough Throne Records Rope or Guillotine
Associated Acts	Drug Problem Unruly Rogernomix Piggery
Past Members	Tony Pearson (drums, vocals) James Quick (bass, vocals) Sam Thurston (guitar)

Releases

Title	Date	Label	Type	Format
Meth Drinker	2011, March 1	Always Never Fun	album	12″/ CD/ DL
Meth Drinker/ Open Tomb	2012, August 22	Always Never Fun/ United Blasphemy	split EP	12″
Meth Drinker/ Moloch	2013, May 3
Meth Drinker EP	2013, May 3	Raw Birth Records Crucificados Pelo Sistema	EP	7″
Oil	2014, Nov 1	Always Never Fun, Raw Birth Records	album	12″/ CD/ DL
Meth Drinker/ Leechfeast	2015, May 15	Raw Birth Records, Dry Cough Records, Rope Or Guillotine	split	12″
Meth Drinker/ Dead Instrument	2016, June 16	Drop Out Records	split EP	7″
Oil + Discography	2020, March 12	Throne Records	compilation	CD
Erosion To Grave	2021, March 1	Always Never Fun	live	DL