Once again the high energy tones of Emergenza bands echoed out of the Vinyl onto West Peachtree Street in Atlanta this past weekend. The 2nd annual Emergenza Festival in Atlanta is back, and stronger than ever. Thursday evening proved to be quite the night to party in this southern metropolis as seven local acts took the stage. The "Total Package Band" really caught the crowd off guard with a full sax section and incredible vocals opening the beginning of a great weekend filled with rock. "Amber Brooke Band," an act that Creative Loafing has recognized, followed with head banging rock and a truly tight performance. "Free Them", a band of bedroom musicians, then took the stage and surprisingly sounded as if they had been together for years. "POINTSIXCENTS" got the crowd out of their seats and on the dance floor through a high energy stage performance. "Unknown Souls" took that momentum to the next level leaving the crowd with no choice but to get their hands in the air. The "Stooge Brothers", very well accomplished musicians, changed the mood when they pulled out the slide guitar and harmonica during their blues set. Ex-army dudes of "Opposing Force" closed out the evening with a song of gratitude to the audience, "Fuck Yeah!!!!." Friday night was one of high energy. "Scarlet Androgeny", a group of very talented youngsters, opened up the evening with excellent vocals and pink make-up. "Misfortune500" followed dressed in pirate garb and getting the whole crowd involved. The lead singer, at one point, was even dancing around on top of the bar. "Ann Bolynn" was hard to top with their true rock presence and their quick-paced rhythms. "Nick Edelstein" was up next, and he lured the audience with his excellent vocal qualities. "The Carry-Ons" had the crowd singing along to their high energy punk songs and surprised all with a guest horn player. "The Tin Roof" took us back to pure rock with their funky radio friendly sound. "Stainless" closed out the night with a bang before the votes were tallied. Saturday night rolled around and the bands seemed pumped to be involved in the International Emergenza Event. "Temerity" opened the evening prepared to "melt the faces of the human race." "Apocrypha" followed with what seemed to be mellow psychedelic rock until the lead vocalist let out a blood curdling scream that got everyone''s attention. "Red Tree" was a true example of rock''n''roll and captured the audience with their tight rifts and vibrant stage presence. "Almost Heroes" changed the mood a bit with rock backed by funky turntables. "An Irony Massacre" took the stage with mind blowing metal and hardcore energy. "Marshall Seese", Creative Loafing''s Best Vocalist closed the set with meaningful lyrics and a poppy edge. Sunday, the closing evening of Atlanta''s first set of elimination rounds, began on the mellow side with "Sleepy Jack." "Down from Nothing" followed with heartfelt jazz....just kidding. They rocked it like no other. "Langley" followed with intricate rhythm and full sounding vocals. "Last Hope Down" punked up the evening when they took the stage, and "Oneiros" gave the audience the break they needed with jammin'' instrumentals. "The Apostles" proved to be very talented musicians when they pulled out the funk this evening. They had everyone in the room at attention with their strong vocals and soul. "Rusty''s Heroes" closed out this weekend''s Emergenza events with some true rock. Strong beats, smooth guitar solos and a strong lead vocalist led the Emergenza Music Festival into the end of a great first set of elimination rounds in Atlanta. Be sure to keep your eyes out for any of the participating bands in the future, and come visit the next set of elimination rounds at the Vinyl the first weekend of February.