Experimental metal band the Mass hails from Oakland, CA, and mixes ample quantities of thrash, punk, and hardcore with nuances ranging from math-metal to jazz into an avant-garde stew they like to call "indie-metal." Founded in 2002 by Matt Waters (vocals, saxophone), Tom O'Donnell (guitar), Matthew Solberg (bass), and Tyler Cox (drums), the band quickly parlayed local acclaim into a deal with Crucial Blast, which first reissued their 2003 debut, City of Dis, and then followed it with their sophomore Perfect Picture of Wisdom and Boldness in 2005. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia