AT THE POUND
IN SAN FRANCISCO

Optical illusions by Lois Razonski
Vision in text by Laurie Rosso

Admittedly, I attended this show expecting to be bored. Having seen Adema in the past but not being impressed by their performance definitely had a lot to do with that. Their show had been a bit dull and rather predictable, making it all to easy to chalk them up into a Nu-Metal, Korn wannabe category. There was just no reason to distinguish them differently.

So, when Adema played the Pound in San Francisco on Monday, July 7th, and put on a stellar performance, they happily put my boredom to death, all while proving my first impression of them was off base.

Adema are growing up. No longer in the shadow of the "Jonathan Davis Connection", they are proving that they deserve respect from the world of rock...and if we don't give it, they are prepared to take it by force!

They took their places on stage to a packed floor and immediately began to rock our asses off, opening the show with Co-Dependant, a new track from their soon to be released album, Unstable, due to hit the stores on August 19th. The crowd responded, surging forward, eager to show the band that they were there to support them. Moving and moshing about, the fans were clearly feeling the energy Adema was putting out. As the night went on, I saw a lot of interaction between the band and their fans. Smiles and hi-fives as well as lyrics being sang back to them, which just made Adema rock even harder.

Even though the stage at the Pound was small, it didn't stop the band from getting around. Dave DeRoo (bass) was all over, often coming out as far as he could to the stage's edge, getting the fans all worked up. Tim Fluckey (guitars) pogoing up and down all night, which at 6' 10" and dread-locked to boot, was an awesome sight to behold. Kris Kohls (drums) rocked a steady, powerful beat from behind his set. Mike Ransom (guitars), changing guitars often, played most of the night in one spot, as did singer Mark "Marky" Chavez. Even so, the intensity of their performance was obvious. The harmonies they achieved together were significant to Adema's sound.

Adema's set list was well-balanced, and it showed as they switched from song to song smoothly, inspiring yet more enthusiasm from the audience. Their occasional slow song was played well, with maybe just a moment or two of offness for singer Chavez during "Let it Go", which was hardly recognizable and quickly fixed.

They ended their set (which follows below) with "Giving In" the song that put them on the map, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Following it up with "Needles", the last song of the night, was a good choice in my humble opinion. "Needles" progression from speed metal to old school metal and back left the crowd energetic and wanting more as Adema said their goodnights and left the stage.

The perfect way to end a solid set and a great show!

Here's a few thing to keep an eye on...

ADEMA SET TO LAUNCH CO-HEADLINING TOUR

WITH POWERMAN 5000 AS "UNSTABLE" IMPACTS RADIO;

BAND TO DEBUT SINGLE ON 'JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE'

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, THE DAY OF THE ALBUM'S RELEASE

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