A Silver Mt Zion | Artist

A Silver Mt. Zion aka Thee Silver Mt. Zion is a Canadian band formed 1999 in Montreal, Quebec by Godspeed You! Black Emperor guitarist Efrim Menuck. The founding lineup was Menuck (guitar, vocals, piano, organ, tapes, effects, radio, Mellotron), Thierry Amar (double bass, electric bass, vocals, harmonica, piano) and Sophie Trudeau (violin, vocals, trumpet, piano). They later expanded to a sextet with addition of new members Beckie Foon (cello), Ian Ilavsky (guitar) and Jessica Moss (violin). Their music has been described as "post-rock" due to its experimentation and lack of traditional song structures, using Rock instruments. Some of their tracks build on repetitive instrumental passages, while some tracks are more songlike in structure and rely more on vocals. Menuck's strident guitar work combines with strings, tape loops, and heavy drums to give the band its sound. While Menuck writes most of the words sung or spoken in the band's pieces, other band members also contribute. There are strong political motifs in the band's music, covering a variety of subjects from anarchy to war and freedom. To-date the band has released seven studio albums of consistently high standard. Standout works include the superb debut album He Has Left Us Alone but Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corner of Our Rooms..., plus Born Into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upwards, This is Our Punk Rock, and Horses in the Sky. Motifs relating to Judaism are occasionally present in the band's music.

Artist Website: cstrecords.com/thee-silver-mt-zion/

Featured Albums: A Silver Mt Zion

Related Artists: Thee Silver Mt Zion, Godspeed You! Black Emperor