A Silver Mt. Zion, born out of a collective of musicians coming from the now-defunct experimental rock band Godspeed You Black Emperor, are a unique hybrid of Indie/Slint/post-rock/Cantonese punk influences that have made them one of the most intriguing and unique acts in the world of music. Their sound is highly experimental and takes influence from a wide variety of different styles, making them highly sought-after among fans of both classical and alternative rock.
The project was founded by songwriter and front man Efrim Menuck in the late 1990s, who set out to explore a different side of music than that of Godspeed You Black Emperor. A Silver Mt. Zion, in many ways, is the product of a members-only collective called Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-la-la Band, which was initially comprised of Menuck, Thierry Amar, Roger Exelus, Jessica Moss, Beckie Foon, and Sophie Trudeau. The collective’s lineup would continue to evolve over time but has consistently included Menuck, Amar, Exelus, Foon, Trudeau, and new additions such as Sophie Trudeau. While relatively all music considered post rock can be attributed in some way to these members of A Silver Mt. Zion, their sound is unique unto itself.
A Silver Mt. Zion's debut album, released in 2000, was titled He Has Left Us Alone But Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corner of Our Rooms…. The follow-up to this, This Is Our Punk-Rock: Thee Rusted Satellites Gather & Sing, was received with enthusiasm and moved many influential critics. With this second album, they fully cemented themselves in the indie-scene, and became fan favorites.
The releases that followed These Are the Horizons We Seek served to develop their craft and ingrain certain concepts even more. Their fourth album, Horses in the Sky found them delving further into what many would consider the extremes of their musical palette, combining both melodic and abrasive elements into one cohesive package. With each album they have managed to build upon their niche sound and create new and unique atmospherics.
In 2018 A Silver Mt. Zion released the album Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light On Everything. This album did incredibly well and was met with critical acclaim. It featured more of the rigorous violin playing and post-rock construction that were hallmarks of the group’s earlier works, but also infused modern-day indie and punk themes into their instrumentals.
A Silver Mt. Zion's sound has continued to evolve with certain post-rock subtleties and respect of musical heritage helping shape their unique signature. Their albums remain highly sought-after among fans, with each one pushing the boundaries of what people expect from the original format. Through intricate instrumental builds, haunting atmospherics, and beautiful melody they’ve managed to capture the sentiment of indie rock and post-rock alike, combining the sounds of their influences into an epic soundscape. Above all, they prove to be a dynamic forcee in the world of alternative music, and a mainstay for fans of all varieties.