Syx, American Standard, and Adema 4/20/05 at Rock n Roll Pizza, Portland, OR
By Robin Steeley
Adema proves tonight that they have reinvented themselves with a new vocalist in Luke Caraciolli, new management, and a new label. I talked to Guitarist Tim Fluckey tonight about their recent trip to Iraq playing for troops overseas where they were flown around on military transport and even had to wear bulletproof vests while in the air. Just one more experience while the band tours in support of their latest album ‘Planets’ out on Earache Records. I was happy to be able to catch them tonight at the newest premiere venue in Portland, Rock and Roll Pizza. Also on the bill is Syx and Bakersfield’s American Standard.
Syx opens the show tonight and plays an entire set of new tunes to an enthusiastic crowd. This band always delivers, a tight unit they are one of the tightest metal bands in the local scene. Recently in the studio recording their latest album, Syx has a solid sound and an edgy flavor that is a huge hit especially with the latest generation who are in abundance here tonight. In fact, the biggest crowd of the entire evening has to be given to Syx, during their set the floor was packed and the energy in the room palpable.
I missed the next local band, Voice due to a impromptu battery run to the store and got back just in time to see my favorite band of the night, American Standard out of Bakersfield, CA. I have never seen or heard of this band before but within two songs I was completely hooked. They have a thrashingly heavy sound full of metal breakdowns and bass sludge that were highly contagious and they had an energetic and punishing live performance. Their Frontman is all over the place and I was really digging the song “Decay of the Nation” for more info on this band go to www.myspace.com/americanstandard. I hope they come back to Portland soon.
Closing the night is Adema and they played new songs off their latest album ‘Planets’ along with a few older crowd favorites that really got the room moving. Adema is true rock, with a twist of metal and a mix of traditional and modern influences. Vibrant guitars, dynamic tempo, and a tendency towards a harder melodic rock sound, Adema has put themselves back on the map and come out on top after all.
Overall it was a great night, great venue, the best in Portland by far, and some great live bands. Lets just say the night was so good, I got home at daylight.
