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06/15/05
CHRIS ADLER BRINGS THE METAL TO THE MODERN
DRUMMER FESTIVAL
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Chris played his Mapex Saturn Kit at the
festival.
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Chris makes last minute adjustments during
sound check.
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The Best Undiscovered Drummer Under 18,
Eloy Eloy Casagrande Lopes was no longer a secret after
his show-opening performance on Saturday.
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The New Jersey Performing Arts Center
proved to be the perfect venue for the festival.
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Newark, NJ — The Modern Drummer Festival
took place over the holiday weekend at the NJ Performing Arts
Center. Drumming fans from all over the country came to see legendary
players display their chops. Among the players was Chris Adler
from Lamb of God, who was recently voted the “Best Up and
Coming Drummer” in the Modern Drummer Reader Poll.
Chris played a Mapex Saturn kit for the festival
and showed off his lightning fast hands and feet. He performed
several Lamb of God songs with the accompaniment of his band
mate and brother, Willie Adler, on guitar.
Chris’ drumming was impressive, and his communication
skills really thrilled the crowd. During his performance, Chris
told of how he started drumming at the age of 22, long after
most people start playing. He described how never being formally
trained has actually served to his advantage. "The nice
thing about having never taking a drum lesson,” he said, "is
that if I screw up, I don’t really know any better." The
crowd was charmed by Chris who stressed to them that drumming
is about having fun. It’s not about what you can do. It’s
about having fun with what you can do.
Chris was the buzz of the show. Attendees both
young and old were amazed with his talent both as a drummer and
a storyteller. During the question and answer period of Chris'
session, one gentlemen said he had no idea that a metal drummer
could be so well spoken and eloquent and owed the heavy metal
drumming community an apology.
Another performance that had people talking was
that of 14-year-old Eloy Eloy Casagrande Lopes. The young Brazilian
was named Best Unknown Drummer Under 18 by Modern Drummer. Mapex
Drums supplied Eloy with a Saturn kit, and during his soundcheck
and performance, he showed what he was capable of doing. Eloy
blew the crowd away with his incredible hand and foot speed and
remarkable sense of rhythm. "I don’t know about you,” said
Rick Van Horn, Senior Editor of Modern Drummer, " but I
certainly couldn't play like that when I was 14. I am
not sure I can play like that now."
After a year away, the festival returned to the
beautiful and spacious New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
The venue featured outstanding acoustics and an enormous stage
area. This year’s festival was recorded for DVD which according
to Modern Drummer will be available in the late fall.
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