All elements fall into place

By Alex Roman
Daily Forty Niner

The cloud of dust in the West Patio in front of the University Student Union was Cal State Long Beach's own Elements of the Outer Realm.

Playing to an uncharacteristically energetic and responsive crowd Wednesday, the band ripped through their 60 minute set. Following the show, even the band seemed surprised at the turnout and crowd reception.

"I think the show went great," said guitarist Ian Azuelo, a CSULB health science major. "I was really surprised that everyone stayed despite the heat and everything."

The band is comprised of CSULB students, Azuelo, Derrick Engoy and Christian Mendoza as lead vocals, J. Michael Roy (bass), Reginald Spivey playing drums, JoJo Villanueva on keyboards and Genesis on djembe and horns. They seemed to enjoy playing to the large crowd. The crowd also seemed to appreciate them.

"They were really cool," said graphic design major Carlene Concepcion. "I had a good time."

The band ran through songs from their self-titled EP such as "Diluted Consensus of Babylon" and "Radiance." The show went off without a hitch, except for a broken guitar string midway through the set.

Despite the slight delay, the crowd was treated to a solid show, anchored by Engoy and Mendoza's rapid-fire lyrics. Engoy stood on chairs and speakers as he delivered his lyrics. Audience members responded to his energy, bobbing their heads and applauding.

Adding even more excitement to the band's set was bassist J. Michael Roy flexing his classical singing muscles during "Circadian Rhythm." Roy also sang on cover songs by rap artists Common and "You Got Me," by the Roots.

Two of the band's friends, Flipchild and Scarecrow, joined the Elements for "Crowning Jewel Success," a song about colonialism, before hitting full stride again with "Radiance" and "Oblivious."