File Under: Nu-Metal rating: B- tracks 1. Everyone 2. Blow It Away 3. Giving In 4. Freaking Out 5. The Way You Like It 6. Close Friends 7. Do What You Want To Do 8. Skin 9. Pain Inside 10. Speculum 11. Drowning 12. Trust related links Adema

Here is a band that had all the hype in the world behind it. Signed to Arista before ever playing a note in a club or in front of a live audience, Adema was the band everyone wanted but could not sign.

It is very possible some of this had to do with lead vocalist Mark Chavez’s relation to Jonathan Davis of Korn or they could just be that talented. Both seem to be the case as most of the band members had been in regionally successful bands prior to forming Adema, but it would be childish to think lineage plays no part in this.

Lineage does not sell records though, quality music does. Adema does not offer anything new or mind-blowing, but they are a strong nu-metal band that brings the fury and heavy riffage of Korn to the table and leaves the arrogance and whining of Limp Bizkit in the closet, which is a nice change for the music domination the radio today.

Adema offers a solid effort with this debut release and definitely has room to grow if given the chance. You can hear a lot of different sounds beyond what we have become accustomed to from most nu-metal bands. The sparkle exists, but not enough to really intrigue the fan who is tired of this music.

In the end, Adema is a nu-metal band who blazes no new trails, but somehow keeps things interesting. The music is fun with a bit of substance, but you have heard it before.

Samuel Barker is Senior Editor. Contact him at suma@rockzone.com.