Reviewed on 11th December 2004.

A Silver Mt. Zion

Live at Brudenell Social Club on Friday, 10th December 2004

It's sold out tonight at this tiny venue, which comes as a pleasant surprise considering these bands get very little coverage this side off the Atlantic and tonight's gig kicks of with Little Wings. Consisting of just a bass and guitar and a lead signer with a beard that can rival that of a Christmas tree, Little Wings deliver subtle country-esque songs that are simply gorgeous. The sounds delivered were similar to that of a simplified My Morning Jacket stripped down to the bone but the sounds delivered, with the odd improve lyrics here and there to stir up the crowd were simply sublime. Many of the songs may have sounded similar but the quality of the tunes sold itself.

It has been a long time coming and finally I get to experience A Silver Mt. Zion ... (yeah long name) Efrim from G!YBE has earned the beard that he sports tonight and Thierry and Sophie, also from Godspeed, along with the other four instrumentalists of A Silver Mt. Zion should be praised as post-rock legends. Tonight's gig is full of emotional highs and lows as the 7 piece produce and epic set leaving the entire crowd stunned and wanting more. Each song played was delicately laced together with silk whilst at the same time being thrown into gorgeous chaos. Efrim's voice is haunting yet disturbing, the multi vocals of the entire band is overwhelming and at points extremely harrowing. A Silver Mt. Zion have grown in stature over their last three albums and the addition of drums has added the kick that creates the extra power needed to drive into the break down. The string quartet, guitars and drum ware tighter than tight and the crowd are left there in gaping awe. Gigs of this calibre are rare and so are bands such as A Silver Mt. Zion praise the lord that there is such a diverse music scene in Canada. The crowd is exceptionally warm and everyone leaves the gig knowing they've just experienced something special, the smile from Sophie's face and tonight's crowd tells the story of the night.