"...no one would mistake this band for some sort of trip-hop hybrid. For all it's intricate musicality, Nonpoint is unalloyed kick-your teeth in rock. Their origins go back several years to Puerto Rico, where New York-native Robb Rivera first formed and led a band called Nonpoint Factor. The rock en espanol movement had already begun in earnest, but Robb wasn't satisfied with what he could accomplish on the island. He moved to Florida hoping to put together his own metal dream team. Enter New Jersey native Elias Soriano, who spent his adolescence in Ft.Lauderdale, having attended high school there. After attending a concert a concert by Puya, the highly popular Puerto Rican rock band, Elias fell in love with the music.
"From there, he landed an audtition with Rivera and was added to the line-up on the spot. By 1997, KB and Andrew, both then members of the Florida band Fuse, were added as well. Bluesy and sonically bombastic, Andrew was a gifted guitar master, while KB -- a cross between Les Claypool and a WWF superstar -- was equally adept, inspired as he was by the late great bass visionary Jaco Pastorious. Together, they made a cohesive unit that quickly found favor on Florida's club circuit. Later in 1997 they released their premiere indie CD Separate Yourself, which became a regional best-seller. By the time major labels came courting, Nonpoint routinely sold out large venues, claiming one of the most rabid followings in the southeast. With thousands of South Florida fans going ballistic, there was no longer room for doubt, and when the dust settled, Nonpoint signed with MCA.
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"All along, the members of Nonpoint have had one mission in mind: expand the base. 'We're constantly concerting people,' says Elias. 'Our live shows are pure chaos: screaming kids with smiles on their faces, non-stop crowd surfing. We have a great relationship with our fans.'" (Universal Music 2000)
Nonpoint's Statement: 6 out of 10
It is hard to doubt the band musically, as they combine superb pulsating instrumentals with blistering vocals, it is only the timing of their release which comes into question. "Is there a metal scene left?" is the question that remains to be answered. Bands that have achieved mass popularity with head-rushing beats have traditionally combined electric guitar with definite pop melodies, resulting in Nirvana's time-defying music and Limp Bizkit's youth movement of the late nineties. Bands that have stuck strictly to heavy guitar and vocals have largely remained unnoticed in the long run, as lack of radio airplay slowly sucks the feet from under them. Nonpoint is heavy with a capital H, and whether their legs can last the race is yet to be proven. If the scene dries from under them, they may be left high-and-dry. Solid, but is it smart?
Erin Boyle CanEHdian.com, 2000
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