Niviane are on the lookout for a new bassist

I know it's often hard to find people to join your band. Many bands remain inactive because they don't find proper band mates.

Now the time has come for power metallers Niviane to part ways with bassist Rick Stallkamp. They are currently holding auditions for a replacement bass player.

Niviane seeks a new bass guitar player.

Here are some facts about the band:

To date, the band has released 2 full length Studio albums and completed multiple tours.

With a new album being tracked and future videos / tours in the planning stages, Niviane is holding auditions for the vacated bassist position.

Applicants should be professional, proficient at their instrument, creative and a team player with proper gear and transportation.

Please have a valid passport or be able to secure one. 

Niviane rehearses once a week in Sacramento, California.

If interested, please contact the band through their official website https://www.niviane.com or band email at: nivianemetal@gmail.com. You can also reach out directly to any of the members via one of our many social media platforms.

Listen to one track to get a idea of the band's sound.

So what is Rick Stallkamp now up to ? He is about to form a new band and also seeking proper musicians for a new Atmospheric Black Metal project in the vein of bands such as: Unreqvited, Akhlys, Elffor, Mare Cognitum & Esoctrilihum

If interested in this new project please contact Rick Stallkamp via the email below:

BlackMetalDimension@icloud.com

Interview with Norman Skinner (Vocalist of Niviane, 2021)

Norman Skinner came to my attention the first time as I listened to Niviane's album "The Druid King". I liked the power of the voice also the songs felt a bit overloaded to me. The powermetal band left my attention but some time later the "The Rutheless Divine" album knocked at my door and the far more straight forward and direct sound brought me back to them.

Around the same time I found out that Norman Skinner also performs in several other band's and projects so I thought it would be great to have a short talk with him. He gave us a very first insight into the upcoming albums of Niviane as well as his Elemantis project. We also go back to the very beginnings and talk about his very first steps into the music (very cool story, I think I never got such a great response before).

Norman Skinner is able to sing on a wide range.

Heavy Metal Underdogs: How did you start out with singing ?

Norman Skinner: It was actually by complete accident. I had friends that were going to play the high school talent show. They weren't an actual band, just a group of guys jamming for this one show. A couple weeks before the show their singer bailed on them and I just happened to be the guy that was hanging around. I had never sang before and I believe they asked me out of desperation and\or convenience. I was always up for a good adventure so I agreed and was hooked ever since. 

You are active in many bands and projects. How do you manage to keep your voice in good condition ?

The fact I am and always have been involved in multiple projects helps to keep my voice conditioned. I am always singing & recording so it stays nice and strong. 

How do you pick the topics for the lyrics you write ?

It is completely random. I gather inspiration from movies & TV, history & mythology, personal experience & situations\observations of those around me. I never go into writing a song with an idea of what it will be about. I 1st hear the music and discover the mood it sets and go from there. 

How would you describe the evolution of Nivianes sound between the album "The Druid King" and the second output "The ruthless divine" ?

The Druid King was mainly composed of music written by the individual members prior to the band being formed with the exception of 1 or 2 tracks. I took those tracks and put melodies & lyrics to them. The band was still finding our collaborative sound on that album. The Ruthless Divine has a much more cohesive sound which is also more technical and overall heavier. The 1st album was a nice out of the gate effort and production-wise sounded more polished and the new album was more modern sounding.

A new Niviane album is currently in the works. What can the fans expect of the new material ?

Yes, we are working on the details of the last 3 songs before we enter the studio next month to track drums for an untitled 3rd album. Fans can expect more of the same in terms of style. The heaviness is still there as well as the dynamics our fans have grown accustomed to. We did however try to concentrate on the chorus hooks a bit more this time around.

Can you give us any closer idea on how Norman Skinners Elemantis could sound like once it's out ?

The Elemantis project is a very diverse project in terms of sound. It really combines Symphonic Metal w\Traditional & Power Metal. 22 track concept album with a lot of guest musicians & vocalists. The songs range from acoustic ballads to heavy driving tracks and everything in between.

Listen to Norman's performance on a Niviane track called "Crown of Thorns".

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.