The Mass

Hailing from Oakland, California, the experimental metal outfit known as the Mass blends generous helpings of thrash, punk, and hardcore with elements stretching from math-metal to jazz, creating an avant-garde mixture that the group refers to as "indie-metal." The ensemble, established in 2002 by Matt Waters on vocals and saxophone along with Tom O'Donnell on guitar, Matthew Solberg handling bass, and Tyler Cox on drums, swiftly converted regional recognition into a recording contract with Crucial Blast; this label began by re-releasing the band's 2003 debut album titled City of Dis before issuing the follow-up sophomore effort Perfect Picture of Wisdom and Boldness during 2005.