How is it to open up as power metallers for Soulfly ?

Well Niviane are a power metal combo. The sound they produce is a fest to all the die hards of the genre out there. Besides all the known trademarks the sound is enriched with heavier riffs than the usual and a voice calling out to the dedicated listener that throws a closer ear on all the details.

Live pictures of the power metal band Niviane.

Niviane send over a report that shares some of the past touring memories the band was able to collect on the U.S. tour.

Guitarist Gary Tarplee comments:

"On August 18, 2021, we departed Sacramento’s Rehearse America to embark on a 15 date onslaught of the Mid-West and East Coast with the legendary Soulfly. We are pretty well-known here in Northern California, but going out on tour with Soulfly into states that we’ve never been to, we were the “unknowns”.

We kicked off the tour in Albuquerque, New Mexico and delivered our brand of metal to a venue filled with people to see Soulfly. People were curious as to who was this band “Niviane” that’s out on tour with Soulfly.

We would take the stage, look into the crowd and most times see the look on peoples faces like “who are these guys“ and “what do they have to deliver“?

Night after night within a couple of minutes of the opening song, The Ruthless Divine, the crowds facial expression would change, we could see people getting into the music, raising their fists in the air and chanting along when prompted.

By the middle of our set, the crowds were pumped and into us. Night after night, we were just getting tighter and tighter. Playing to sold out venues in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Wichita, Kansas. Playing in Fort Wayne, Indiana to 1200 people on a Thursday night, sharing the stage with the Butcher Babies at a festival in West Virginia and playing in New York City at the Gramercy Theater were all incredible experiences.

We are incredibly fortunate and grateful to have been able to take our brand of metal across the United States, meet new friends, make new fans and create memories that will last a lifetime!"

Check out the band's sound for yourselves and you'll quickly get a idea that being the opener surely is not a easy job on such a package. The website of the band holds more detailed info on the band.

New Nightstalker comic book and music album see the light of day

We already had a word here on The Nightstalker story universe. It's a plot about a mysterious hunter whose actions aren't always clear.

He seems to be involved into events like a murder but his role remains unclear. The whole story can be experienced through multiple media releases in form of music, movie and now two new options have become available. 

A overlook on some of the media available in The Nightstalker line.

The cool thing is that you can play a part of the story as a tabletop roleplaying game. I don't think I've come along a underground production that offers such a thing. If you're into experiencing unknown mysteries with your friends on a evening or two make sure to have a look into the free role book at Edition Stellarmaris to find out if it's for you (it's available in French language only).  

But the even cooler thing is that a short chapter of the story also lives in form of a comic book. Since the whole package is a complex thing this one part is surely easier to understand if you're new to the The Nightstalker universe. You can purchase it through Amazon but have a look inside first at the blog of Stellamaris editions.

In other news fresh music also has become available in this fascinating story universe. This time the project under the sign of "NIAC" put out a dark synth metal album that examines another part of the story and also discovers a new character. 

CD Review: Inner Siege - Fury Of Ages (Power Metal,2021)

Had a good time on most of the album also some tracks shine brighter than others.  

Colored vinyl and a printed jacket should please collectors.

The grand opening "Calling For Violence" surprised me quite well. Giving a midtempo punch it let's you come in slowly to the bands sound. The refrain calls for some scream along in live situations and it woke my interest to hear more of the "Fury Of Ages" album.

Happily "Reborn" track number two continues the good start. In contrast to the opener it changes more often throughout it's duration. The song keeps a constant riffing as a base but adds slight moments of excitement in. High screams and well placed guitar intermezzos shine.

"Firewind" speeds it all up. I'm glad to hear the cranking up doesn't ruin the sound. It's kept straight foward and the joy-factor intact. Keep the volume adjustment low, this feels great on moderate level.

Some guitar wizardy is shown on the short intermezzo "Virtuos Iniquity" before "Echoes Into Eternity" let's a high scream out. Being a good riff shooter this let's us headbang further and mixes some midtempo stop-overs into it's passages - something I love to hear.

"World Of Darkness" is a solid track but didn't resonate so well than the previous songs. Same goes for "Power.Metal.Glory" also sure it has a great refrain with it.

I love to hear the band from the United States keeps the sound on a more clear tone most of the time also on some moments I'd like to have less high tones in the sound. "Iron Lotus" is a negative example for that. I got on my nerves with the many solo sections on it.  

On "Stronghold" parallels to the great band Hammerfall come to my mind. It has a more narrative way of speaking to the audience and the refrain rushes into my heart quickly. Some high screams are placed well. 

The album becomes more direct and on-point soundwise when the album comes towards the end. The tenth track "Hero" and the closing riffer "World on fire" are such tracks. The vocals are variable and you feel they have been painfully worked on many times but the result should make all headbangers out there happy.

The album is available as a CD as well as colored vinyl with lyrics-printed jacket. Please check out one song below and consider a purchase to increase touring chances for these guys.