Formed last year on the West Side of Chicago
by vocalist Taylor Brennan, guitarist
Alejandro Guzman, bassist Mike Cali and
drummer Ben Ludwig, ARMA doesn't have
much to say by way of hyping itself: The
band hasn't even bothered to post a bio on
its Web site (www.myspace.com/armamusic),
and its members aren't much more loquacious
in e-mails. But they don't really have to be
when they have songs as strong as
"Metropolis" and "Believe" from their recent
self-titled EP.
With its fluid and sometimes trippy grooves, the group clearly draws inspiration from some of the best nu-metal bands, heavy on the Incubus and Deftones. But the band adds the occasional flash of more old-school metal fire and brimstone, and it's an intriguing mix that's already landing the group some impressive gigs: It performs at Reggie's Rock Club, 2109 S. State, on Wednesday, and at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, on Feb. 5.