Mad Season was an American rock supergroup formed in Seattle in 1994 by members of established grunge bands, including guitarist Mike McCready, vocalist Layne Staley, drummer Barrett Martin, and bassist John Baker Saunders. The group is best known for their only album, Above, released in 1995, featuring the hit single River of Deceit. Above achieved gold status and is recognized for its blend of grunge, blues, and alternative rock. Mad Season went on hiatus in 1996 due to personal and scheduling issues and officially ended in 1999 after Saunders passed away. Occasional reunions took place in the 2010s, and a deluxe edition of Above was released in 2013 with remastered tracks and unreleased material.