Society of the Silver Cross is a Seattle-based band fronted by songwriters Joe Reineke (The Meices, Alien Crime Syndicate) and Karyn Gold-Reineke. Critics have described their sound as haunting, gothic Graceland, twisted Americana and even “yogic metal.” Their music explores themes of life and death, beauty and darkness while blurring the boundaries between worlds.
Drawing inspiration from the rich musical traditions of India, Society of the Silver Cross incorporates harmonium (Indian pump organ) and shahi baaja (Indian autoharp) with 12-string acoustic guitar, Hammond B3 organ, esoteric synthesizers (swarmatron, therevox, surge), commanding tribal rhythms and chant-like vocals. The result is a dark and spellbinding fusion of east meets west with hypnotic melodies and immersive soundscapes.
Their latest album, “Festival of Invocations” (2024), has earned praise from Rolling Stone as “a sonic odyssey that leads listeners through otherworldly realms” and from SPIN as “an eerie, hypnotic spell pulling listeners into a dark, cinematic world.” This follows their critically acclaimed debut, “1 Verse” (2019), lauded as “one of the year’s most unique and compelling debuts.”
The band’s live performances include drummer Mark Etherington and Leeni Ramadan on Mellotron, Shahi Baaja and backing vocals, both bring dynamic and captivating performances to the stage.
Society of the Silver Cross reimagines contemporary Gothic music, blending mystery, romance, and spiritualism into their evocative sound. Their music transcends earthly bounds, leaving a profound and lasting impact on listeners and the modern music scene alike.