A Silver Mt Zion - Horses In The Sky

I feel terribly guilty for not having pulled my weight in Big Static for a while, but once again my excuse comes with a suitable update - last week I was lucky enough to see A Silver Mt Zion (or "Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band" if you prefer the technical terminology) at The Bierkeller in Bristol. I would give the history of this band but most of you probably know it already, and it is largely irrelevant as they have become such an accomplished band in their own right. They actually opened with this song, also playing 2 other tracks from their latest release, Horses In The Sky. I was led to believe beforehand that the venue was "a church" but my informant turned out to be a liar and it was in fact a large Wedgewood Rooms styled affair, only with less fairy lights and more beer barrels and long banquet-style tables. But that didn't matter because in fact it turned out that this band in a sticky-floored beer den are still every bit as numinous as standing in St Peter's Basilica while angel's play post-rock to you from the firmament, or something equally as poetic.

I have seen many many shows in my life but I could probably count, in all honesty, on two hands the number of bands I have seen who have truly put shivers up and down my spine. A Silver Mt Zion are most definitely up there at the top of my list. Their records do not do justice to this band's energy and electricity at all - they have unbelievable presence onstage and obviously a very connected understanding of one another; instinctively following one another through elaborate 20-minute soundscapes and grinning at eachother over their violins or drumkits. Speaking of which - I never noticed the drumming when I listened to A Silver Mt Zion in the past, but the drummer actually deserves more attention as one of the finest rhythm sections I have ever seen in action. In fact, the entire band were one of the finest group of musicians I have seen full stop, and I can honestly say that their live show will stick with me forever.

Like I said, this is the track they opened with - but I still say that if any of you ever get a chance to see this band play live then make it your utmost priority to do so, because you could listen to their records a thousand times over but it won't stick in your mind like their live show does.

God Bless Our Dead Marines

Buy Horses In The Sky on Amazon