Review Summary: A nightmare you can't live without.
Adema were never exactly the most popular band in the booming Alternative Metal scene of the late-90's/early-2000's, but the band retained a somewhat cult following after the release of their most famous single
Immortal, which was used in the hit video game Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. Nevertheless, Mark Chavez's run with the band created some of the best Alternative Metal in the history of the genre. After a successful debut album, Adema released
Insomniac's Dream "for the fans" and, despite it's status as an EP, it can be argued that this EP is more famous than all four of Adema's studio albums. The EP itself contains a myriad of different tracks varying in different styles. Out of seven tracks in total; one is a live performance, three are remixes of previous Adema songs, two are songs that had never been released in North America before, and one song is a cover.
If you were hoping that the remixes would be just as good or better than Adema's original tracks, you will be disappointed. Chris Vrenna's remix of
Freaking Out barely makes any changes to the original track, and when it does, it is only to add couple digital effects that add nothing to the track. Sam Citrin's remix of
The Way You Like It is by far worse than it's original counterpart; by slowing down the pace and limiting the overall sound to a couple digital instruments. The remix of
Giving In is less a remix a more of a radio edit that was used during the songs run on radio. Whether that song is good is whether you feel the original song was too long or not.
Without a doubt the best parts of the EP are the first three tracks. Adema's cover of Alice in Chains'
Nutshell was popular with fans and it's release on
Insomniac's Dream shows why. The cover manages to pay fine homage to the original song while also adding it's own shoegaze spin on the track.
Immortal is without a doubt an amazing tune featuring blistering drums, heavy guitar, orgasmic synthesizers, and some of Chavez's finest screaming. Of course the best track on the EP itself goes to
Shattered. Originally only released in Japan,
Shattered features some of Chavez's best vocals; as he slowly drones his pitch to create a somewhat dark style as digital effects are added to create an echo effect. This is coupled with excellent guitar work by Mike Ransom, who matches the rhythm as Kris Kohls pounds on drums with reckless abandon.
Adema was an underrated band both during their heyday and after. They never really got their critical due even after the success of their debut album. While
Insomniac's Dream didn't exactly have the greatest collection of tracks; it's newly added songs were some of the bands best work and a shining example of the band's potential at the beginning of the new millennia. With both Mark Chavez and Mike Ransom putting away their differences and rejoining Adema together after 16 years; their announcement of a brand new album brings hope that the Adema that blazed through the Alternative Metal scene in 2001 with attitude and force may very well return. Whether the music world of today is ready for their return will be an interesting thing to see.
