Silent Mass – LiveInPhilly – 6/10/2023
Silent Mass’s first foray into Philadelphia, at Philamoca opening up for FUll Bush, Larlene and Flatwaves.
Silent Mass, the name itself evokes a sense of the ethereal, the otherworldly, a mass of sound that exists beyond our mortal realm. And make no mistake, this NYC-based quartet’s music is exactly that – a sonic journey that takes you to the depths of melancholy, the height of introspection, and the outskirts of your own consciousness.
Their sound, a blend of 90s alternative, post-punk, and shoegaze, is a thing of beauty. It’s raw, intense, and at times, so overwhelming that you feel like you’re drowning in it. But isn’t that what we want from our music? To be transported to places we’ve never been before, to feel things we’ve never felt, to see things we’ve never seen? Silent Mass achieves this with ease. Their haunting vocals, lush guitar lines, and primal percussive rhythms create a soundscape that’s both familiar and new.
Silent Mass, in the twisted realm of creative endeavors was originally known as AMMO. Emerging as a solitary pursuit by Ammo Bankoff in the sun-drenched city of Los Angeles in 2019. As the first single, a cover of “Total Recall” by The Sound, began to take shape, Alex Posell, the drummer from Black Flamingo, joined the project.
In early 2020, Ammo shared her demos with Posell. They were able to fashion two singles and build the foundation for a full-length album while isolating together until Posell’s abrupt move in May 2020 to New York City.
In June 2020, “Total Recall” made its debut on a charitable compilation released by Dune Altar. With Posell in New York City, Ammo put the finishing touches on the two singles, “Rose + Crown” and “A Cold War City,” with the help of the audio engineer and guitarist, Robert Duncan.
As 2021 arrived, Ammo and Duncan set their sights on following Posell to New York City to continue the project. It was then that they met bassist Kevin LoBiondo through a mutual friend, and the quartet set out on a series of live performances in the New York area. The project’s name changed to Silent Mass, and a new chapter of creativity unfolded.
Captured a song on video – over on Youtube.
Also on the bill were Full Bush, Larlene and Flatwaves (all out of Philadelphia)