NIVA – Atmospherical (Nov 4, 2016)

In the realms of melodic metal, Sweden’s Lion’s Share has been synonymous with class and quality for over two decades. Not least thanks to a succession of great vocalists: Andy Engberg (220 Volt, Sorcerer, Section A), Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors, Wuthering Heights, Civil War et al)… and who else? Oh yes – Tony Niva, the vocal powerhouse from Lion’s Share‘s seminal fourth album Entrance (2001). What’s his story? Tony Niva started singing as a young boy in the mid-80s, inspired by the likes of Dio, Joe Lynn Turner, and Geoff Tate. After cutting his teeth in classic acts like Swedish Erotica and Axia, Tony formed his own outfit NIVA whose debut album No Capitulation arrived in 1994 (featuring Ian Haugland of Europe/Glenn Hughes fame behind the kit). Despite the quality of this melodic affair, NIVA folded shortly afterwards. After graduating from the university, Tony joined Lion’s Share long enough to record the aforementioned Entrance and left the music scene again shortly afterwards. However, in 2011 Tony tried out for the Swedish Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Janitor of Love”. With limited success, on paper. Creatively the result was so satisfying that Tony extended his collaboration with his new songwriting team. NIVA‘s comeback album Gold From the Future was released in Japan in the fall of 2011. (On the European and American market, the album was released under the moniker Oxygen and entitled Final Warning.) I’ve been focusing on my career in the IT business, so I didn’t make much music between 1994 and 2011, says Tony. But after that second NIVA album, I made two more: Magnitude in 2013 and Incremental IV in 2014. And after that, I thought I might as well release what I recorded in 1995 as the intended follow-up to No Capitulation: Relievin’ Rain (2015). Now, however, I’m back with a whole new incarnation of NIVA. On this new album, I wanted to broaden my horizons. Different production, a heavier sound. So I’ve been working with Lars Chriss, my old pal from the Lion’s Share days. (from Amazon)