SILENCE was a DC Metro area Thrash Metal band. Demos were produced by the noted figure of Alex Perialas. Guitarist Sonny Mayo subsequently forged MF PITBULLS, fronted by Shannon Larkin. This act dissolved with Mayo relocating to California to found the groundbreaking Punk / Alt Metal band SNOT.

With SNOT's demise in December 1998, following the death of singer Lynn Strait, Mayo joined AMEN. Sonny Mayo teamed up with SOULFLY in May 1998, remaining a member until 2004. He would also donate guitar parts to VANILLA ICE's 'Hard To Swallow' album. He joined SEVENDUST in January 2005, serving with this act until 2008 when SNOT reformed.