When Adema dropped their self-titled debut in 2001, they were bound for rock stardom. In addition to unleashing a dark and alienated sound that found favour among nu-metal’s rapidly expanding fanbase, the California natives emerged from the same Bakersfield scene as Korn a few years earlier. But whereas Korn leaned heavily on hip-hop for inspiration, Adema’s string of hit singles—including 2001’s “Giving In” and 2003’s “Unstable”—reflected founding guitarist Tim Fluckey’s love of snaking riffs more informed by grunge and alt-rock. Those influences had taken centre stage by the time the group dropped their third full-length, Planets, in 2005. Thanks to the core unit of Fluckey, bassist Dave DeRoo and drummer Kris Kohls sticking together through the 2010s and beyond, Adema have remained committed to delivering tough-as-nails hard rock with a modern edge.