IV of Spades lead guitarist and co-vocalist Blaster Silonga (stylized BLASTER) gave a throwback moment through a live rendition of their 2018 chart-topper, “Mundo,” at the Kosmik island Show last October 7, 2023, at the Balcony Music House.
@jenncena Mundo is healing ♠️🌎 If you know you know 🙈 #ivofspades #ivos #mundo #blastersilonga #blaster #celestialklowns ♬ original sound – jenncena_
TikTok: @jenncena
Said to be performed for the first time since their public “disbandment” in 2020, BLASTER introduced the track as a “rare occasion,” exclusive to those that were in attendance.
“Para sa inyo na pumunta ngayon, swerte kayo kasi baka ngayon ko lang ito gagawin. Mag-cocover ako ng kanta,” Silonga mentioned before transitioning to the iconic riff.
(For those that are in attendance, you’re lucky given this might be the only time I’ll do this. I’ll be covering a song.)
The eight-minute cover featured the introduction of Rico Blanco’s Your Universe, transitioning to Mundo’s iconic riff. The collaboration first surfaced during the 2019 Rico Blanco x IV of Spades co-headlined concert at the Metrotent Convention Center.
IV of Spades (IVOS) went on hiatus in 2020, with BLASTER, Zild Benitez (co-vocalist, lead bassist/keyboardist), and Badjao de Castro (dummer) journeying individually since. Despite the departure of frontman Unique Salonga in 2018, the remaining members released the studio album “ClapClapClap!” in 2019 and a couple of other tracks before “temporarily” calling it quits.
For the past three years, the remaining vocalists released solo projects that strayed from IVOS’ 70s-inspired aesthetic, segwaying to their unique sound and personalities. Silonga released a collection of disco-inspired singles, before his first studio album “MY KOSMIK ISLAND DISK” in 2022. Benitez produced the hit single “Ibang Planeta” (2020) prior to the release of two studio albums “Huminga” (2021) and “Medisina” (2022).
Dummer Badjao de Castro continues his tenure as a member of Wanderland 2023 entrant Party Pace, converging his expertise with the “accidental supergroup” consisting of names from household bands Sandwich and Chicosi.
