Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
“Tampa’s Area 51 can play as heavy as any band currently clogging the airwaves. But there’s a lot more going on here, lyrically and musically, than with most Ozzfest second-stage hopefuls.
The band’s music draws on metal’s progressive elements as well as its heavier divisions. Lyrics reveal an intelligent and passionate political slant.
Xavier James Mintaka goes from death metal growls to soaring vocals that highlight the songs’ melodies. Pat Floyd tears off some devastating solos worthy of Slayer’s Kerry King, while bassist Nathan Etana and drummer Jeremiah Lazzara handle quick-stop tempo changes with ease…”
- Tampa Tribune
“On Embryonic, Area 51 uses a bottom-heavy, jackhammer-like guitar onslaught, which is mostly mid-paced throughout the record, rather than speed to showcase their sonic brawn. Not only is it pretty well-executed, it makes the album more prone to frequent listens.
Pat Floyd's guitar playing is muscular, charging and precise. Jeremiah Lazzara's double-kick drumming is not only versatile but also has that great clicking quality reminiscent of …And Justice For All-era Metallica…” - Orlando City Beat
“I think Area 51 definitely has a brotherhood that really shows. I think these guys definitely work well together. I think the dynamics, the changes...these guys....they got it together and it shows. Great band, hopefully great future.” - UPN 44
“I was very impressed with [Area 51's] set...I'd have no problem putting them on an Ozzfest or putting them opening up for Metallica...they're tight, they're ready for a national tour, they're my pick of the night.” - Morava Management
"I like this band a lot...I saw an amazing amount of potential with these guys.” - Jon Oliva, Savatage
All the songs on the CD don't bother for one single moment and also the production is in very good condition, actually done by Area 51 themselves. I'm totally surprised about the results of this album and hopefully, these guys can count on the support of all you precious Metal maniacs out there! Feel free to lay an eye an ear on a band called Area 51, especially If you're in for a dose of Metal, different from many others and with an original sound! Try out this American 'different from the rest' Metal band and you truly won't regret at all. - Metal to Infinity, Belgium
AREA 51 has achieved the perfect blend of the technical and melodic on this new disc. Xavier's lead vocals are the perfect blend of harmony, melody, and growls that would make Ronnie James Dio and Tom Araya proud. The guitar riffs that Pat lays down can hold their own against anything out there, and in many cases, just blow the competition off the road. The drum work of Jeremiah would make John Bonham, Keith Moon, and Lars Ulrich smile. Last, but certainly not least, the bass guitar work is absolutely incredible, and if you don't know it by now, Nathan refuses to use a pick when playing bass, which puts him in a very elite group of musicians, and I know Cliff Burton has to be looking down and saying to himself" Right On". The album is politically and socially relevant, filled with "make you think" lyrics which have been missing from commercial radio for too many years now. They have also released a video for the song "Communion", which is in 3-D animation and was created, directed, and produced by Xavier and Pat. It is visually stunning!!
Listen to the disc once and you will like it. Twice or more and it just may end up on your favorites list, don't say you haven't been warned. Finally, after seeing the last several years produce a lot of self indulgent, soulless, crap music, the New Wave of American Heavy Metal(NWAHM) has finally arrived and AREA 51 is leading the charge. Be on the lookout as they prepare to invade a town near you!!! - Crypt Magazine, Las Vegas
Discography
I Want to Believe (2001 Demo)
Embryonic LP (2004)
Radio Play:
> XMRadio Stations: Unsigned and Metal.
> 95.5FM WBRU in Providence Dreamer in regular rotation; also played on 107.3FM WAAF in Boston.
> 93.5FM and 105.5FM in Ithaca, NY Area 51 in regular rotation featuring several tracks from Embryonic.
> 98Rock in Tampa, FL has played Dreamer, MK Ultra, and Mother Cultures Lullaby
> ORock in Orlando, FL
> 97X in Tampa, FL
> Noise Factor FM in the Netherlands, entered rotation. After Sugar Coat was played the website more than tripled in visits the first day.
> Great Britain's radio show, Autopsy Report, has put tracks into regular rotation on its 10 syndicated internet radio stations.
> 102.1 Pirate Radio in Tampa, FL played entire I Want to Believe demo (2001). Demo went into regular rotation featuring singles Golden Dawn, Incite, and I Want to Believe.
> Featured guests on Tampas 102.1 Pirate Radio.
> Embryonic now being sold at Tampa music stores: Sam Goodys, Vinyl Fever, Sound Exchange, and
> CD City.
Television/Film
> The Communion music video has been registered at 8 film festivals across North America, Europe,
and Japan. It was an official selection of the 2004 Mini DV/Digital Video Film Festival in Los Angeles as well as the 2005 ReelWorld Film Festival in Toronto.
> Underground Music Television (UMTV) has put the Communion music video into regular rotation, broadcast in 12 cities across New York, and 1 in North Carolina. It has also aired on Iron Mikes Metal Video in California and Oregon and Terry Love Presents in Seattle, Washington.
> The "Communion" music video is now featured on JustEnoughTV.com as well as their partners, MSN.com
> UPN 44s Metal Masters featured Area 51 live footage 3 times. Read
> Appeared in a television commercial for the St. Petersburg Times, currently being aired.
> Featured in hour-long local music Tampa Public Access show.
> Appeared in their own Tampa Public Access television show: A Day in the Life of Area 51.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Four music fans have come together to create the band you hear today. Take each of these friends from the beginning, when they first fell in love with music to the present, Area 51 brings together a culmination of influences and styles ranging from Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Tool, and Metallica. Area 51 creates music that is familiar, but also hopefully brings something new to your ears. The band always strives to be a better band. Better for themselves and better for their fans. And although they ultimately want to one day be united with a record company that will work for them, now they work for themselves and their fans. Area 51 works to bring you everything that they have in their hearts and lay it out for you on a stage. The music speaks for itself, and our fans speak for us. Progressive. Metal. Rock. Hardcore. What ever you label it, know that its pure.
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