Memphis. It's a place where music isn't just played; it's created. From that legacy comes Saliva. On the quintet's 12-song Island debut, Every Six Seconds, Saliva bring the sturm und drang of hard rock together with hip-hop, grunge and sheer, unbridled mayhem, while still preserving the spirit and soulful intensity of its forebears. Every Six Seconds, the name chosen by frontman Josey Scott because "life cycles seem to happen every six seconds," is the sound of tradition beginning a new cycle and forging on into the 21st century.

"We were all after the same thing -- I can say that," says Scott, a fourth-generation musician who, like most of the members of Saliva, had established himself through years of service in the Memphis music scene before forming the band. "We were after something really undeniable, sort of heavy and melodic. We were all in these bands that were not getting our rocks off stylistically; we really wanted to build great songs."

"I think the main thing with us is the chemistry," guitarist Chris Dabaldo says, explaining where the intensity and conviction in Saliva's music comes from. "We're a bunch of guys that love each other's company. And we are committed to making great music."

On first listen to Every Six Seconds, it's easy to be enveloped by the crunchy, chugging riffs on opening track "Superstar," the rap tinges on "Doperide," or the sheer brutality on "Click Click Boom" and "Beg." Repeated listens will reveal unrepentant popcraft, as evidenced by the hopeful yet defiantly anti-sentimental "Hollywood," and the anthemic first single "Your Disease." It's obvious that Saliva, with rock aggression, hasn't forsaken the importance of a well-crafted song.

The recent inclusion of the band on the Dracula 2000 soundtrack alongside Slayer, Pantera, Monster Magnet, and Powerman 5000, announces Saliva's arrival.

Musically, Saliva may seem a million miles from Memphis, but like Elvis, the band has forged a sound that's "all shook up."