Silencer

A collaboration between two established DJ/producers on the UK’s breakbeat scene: Force Mass Motion (b. Mike Wells, England) and Dylan Rhymes (b. Marvin Beaver, 4 April 1970, Woking, Surrey, England). The duo had teamed up before creating Silencer, releasing the club favourites ‘Hold Back’ and ‘Vanquish’ on the Acetate Records label in 2002. Their debut, Signals, under the Silencer name was released by the Critical Mass label the following year. The single, ‘Rollin’ N Controllin’’, that preceded the album was a huge club success and drew support from a wide range of DJs, including James Lavelle and Seb Fontaine. The duo’s sound is best described as ‘progressive breakbeat’, tough beats and basslines with atmospheric effects and strings layered over the top. Lush string arrangements create an occasionally cinematic feel to their music and with the addition of female vocals, the sound has been favourably compared to Massive Attack and Portishead. The album was well received by the music press and was varied and intelligent enough to work as an album for home listening, despite its more dancefloor-orientated material. Both Force Mass Motion and Dylan Rhymes continue to record and DJ individually.