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CIRRHA NIVA

Progressive Metal • Netherlands


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Cirrha Niva biography
CIRRHA NIVA is a progressive metal band originating from the Netherlands. They have featured various changes in their lineup since their formation in 1993, but have maintained their progressive metal style with many gothic overtones, resulting in an overall sound similar to that of PAIN OF SALVATION.

They released their debut album The Mirror World Dimension in 1997, four years after their formation. Since then they have released Enter The Future Exit, Liaison De La Morte, and their latest 2009 effort For Moments Never Done.

They are known for their notorious stage performances using many props and effects, and they are definitely a great band to see live. Their four albums are excellent progressive metal that I would recommend to any fan of the genre. If you're into the modern prog metal masters, you really should give this obscure band a try.

WHY THIS BAND IS ON PA:
Approved by the progressive metal team of collaborators.

-Written by J-Man (Jeff)

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CIRRHA NIVA discography


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CIRRHA NIVA top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.90 | 2 ratings
The Mirror World Dimension
1997
2.50 | 2 ratings
Enter the Futur Exit
1999
2.75 | 4 ratings
Liaison De La Morte
2001
3.88 | 14 ratings
For Moments Never Done
2009
3.82 | 8 ratings
Out Of The Freakshow
2016

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CIRRHA NIVA Reviews


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 For Moments Never Done by CIRRHA NIVA album cover Studio Album, 2009
3.88 | 14 ratings

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For Moments Never Done
Cirrha Niva Progressive Metal

Review by UMUR
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars "For Moments Never Done" is the 4th full-length studio album by Dutch progressive metal act Cirrha Niva. The album was released through Parnassus Records (Europe) and through The End Records (US/Canada) in September 2009. Cirrha Niva were formed in 1993, and released their debut full-length studio album "The Mirror World Dimension" in 1997. Their last album before "For Moments Never Done" was "Liaison de la Morte" from 2001, so there has been an 8 year recording break between the two albums. There have been quite a few lineup changes from the last album too and the only remaining members from the lineup who recorded "Liaison de la Morte (2001)" are Rob Willemse (guitars) and Tommy White (drums). New members are lead vocalist Legrand (real name Michael de Groot), Carlo Heefer (guitars), and Daniël Huyben (bass).

The music on "For Moments Never Done" is a fairly eclectic type of progressive metal. Eclectic in this case means that the band incorporate elements from alternative metal and a few extreme metal traits too. Legrand is a relatively versatile vocalist and in addition to his relatively high pitched metal singing, he also occasionanlly ventures into semi-growling and other raw type of vocals. It happens very seldom though, and itīs not the dominant vocal styles on the album. Knowing Legrandīs background in various Dutch underground thrash and death metal acts in the 90s his use of those types of vocals arenīt as surprising as it may initially sound. But as mentioned he mostly sings using his clean voice. The alternative metal vibe mentioned above is also something that is only touched upon during the playing time, but I hear nods here and there and especially towards an artist like Faith No More. Again weīre dealing with a minor element of the overall sound, but it goes to show that Cirrha Niva deserves the eclectic tag although they are predominantly a pretty standard progressive metal act. The music can be quite heavy and punchy at times (listen to a track like "Self Chosen"), but also more mellow and atmospheric.

The material on the 7 track, 46:47 minutes long album is generally well written and relatively varied, the musicianship is on a high level, and the sound production is professional, powerful, and well sounding. So "For Moments Never Done" is overall a good quality progressive metal release. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)

 Out Of The Freakshow by CIRRHA NIVA album cover Studio Album, 2016
3.82 | 8 ratings

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Out Of The Freakshow
Cirrha Niva Progressive Metal

Review by Wyattsup

4 stars After a rather long hiatus following their previous work (which was a strong effort by any standard), this Dutch prog metal group finally return with an album that shows maturity, technical progress and a surprisingly broad range of influences and styles.

I found myself reminded of Rush, especially with the song '24/7 smile', and there were really nice Psychotic Waltz references sprinkled throughout the album (PW lead singer Devon Graves/Buddy Lackey guests vocals and flute on the last track) - though these similarities never stray into territory that sounds like copying. My favourite track was 'Afraid To Bleed' - a highly powerful yet melodic song, with truly spine tingling moments and a sweeping instrumental ending that reminded me of Dream Theater's "Finally Free".

Cirrha Niva have managed to shape a sound that is authentically their own, which is quite an accomplishment for a band like theirs which at this stage may still be perceived by most as just another name among hundreds of similar acts. With this album, they prove they are not.

The music throughout the album ranges from neo-prog esque, to latin and reggae breaks, all the way up the spectrum towards almost tech metal sounding grooves. As with the previous album ("For Moments Never Done"), lead singer LeGrand carries the songs with his unique and versatile vocals. The rhythm section really stands out with interim drummer Nathanael Taekema and new bassist Michel Steenbekkers performing some truly adrenaline pumping stuff, while marked technical improvement and depth is noted between the dual lead guitarists and longest standing bandmembers Rob Willemse and Carlo Heefer.

The thing that lets it down just a little are the lyrics. While they do quite well at conveying some pretty dark and emotional aspects of human psyche, alas as with many bands where English isn't the first language, some minor lack of poetry is detected. However, most people won't be phased much by this and the absolutely spectacular artwork and costumes designs easily make up for any narrative deficiency. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable album that i expect to give plenty of spins. Now let's hope it's not another 5+ yrs before the next one!

 For Moments Never Done by CIRRHA NIVA album cover Studio Album, 2009
3.88 | 14 ratings

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For Moments Never Done
Cirrha Niva Progressive Metal

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars A really strong effort from this Dutch band, that arguably may have crafted the best progressive metal album of 2009 with "For Moments Never Done". At least for those who appreciates bands residing in the challenging and most sophisticated territories of this stylistic expression.

The seven tracks here are all elaborate and quirky, at least to some extent. From sophisticated riff patterns to highly detailed and carefully crafted sonic tapestries the album as a whole seems to be thought out and planned in minutest detail. Smooth transitions from leaden riff barrages with more than a touch of thrash metal to gentle atmospheric themes with an emphasis on melody and beauty as well as most variations in between are constant, and subtle as well as dramatic alterations in expression, tempo and intensity keeps surprising positively the more you get familiar with this production.

Excellent performances in general and by vocalist Legrand in particular are the final ingredients on a disc which should find it's place into the collections of any serious collector of progressive metal.

 The Mirror World Dimension by CIRRHA NIVA album cover Studio Album, 1997
2.90 | 2 ratings

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The Mirror World Dimension
Cirrha Niva Progressive Metal

Review by Epignosis
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Wanting to check out lesser known progressive metal bands, I ran across Cirrha Niva, a band from the Netherlands. Their debut, The Mirror World Dimension, I found quite pleasing. The compositions deliver, and the sound is up my alley- hard-hitting but not messy. The drums are not overpowering, the guitars are not swamped in distortion, and the band isn't flawlessly tight- each musician stands out on his own. This may displease certain modern metal purists, but I much prefer such a sound. Yet the music far outshines the vocals; I would go so far as to say the vocals mar otherwise excellent music.

"Redemption Denied" Muffled guitar provides the flow underneath a barrage of power chords. Multiple vocal styles are present. One is an exaggerated boisterous tone that is easily the worst. Another is a medium-range vocal that sounds a bit too whiny and wavering for my tastes. Yet another is what seems to be a gorgeous female vocal- would that the band had used this singing method more often.

"Kamapau 'a'" This ninety-six second track has windy and mechanical noises, but surrounds an grandiose synthesizer melody.

"Ever" Flowing directly from the previous track, the second longest work on the album has some excellent moments musically, and the vocals are a bit more restrained and focused. This is ultimately a composition that validates this band's presence on a progressive rock website (with respect to this particular album). It has made me eager to hear their future endeavors.

"Weaveworld" Here is a more lackluster composition, but it is well-performed. The guitar maintains a good tone, and I quite like the "loose" feel of the drums.

"The Johari Frame" The second of two brief tracks, this consists of light synthesizer and an utterly cheesy spoken vocal (deep and resonant, like the narration of a B-science fiction flick).

"Time Juggler" Detuned guitar lead over an interesting composition that changes rhythm and tempo starts this. While stripped down in terms of instrumentation (relative to the other songs here), this is one of the more complex arrangements, but also has one of the most awful vocal performances.

"Obscured" Two guitars- one muffled and one shimmering and clear- weave under that deep, inflated vocal. Speaking of the vocals, they are also awful here- almost nauseatingly so. The rhythm guitar generally stays in chug mode for the duration of the piece, but during a quieter moment of bright guitar, the feminine vocalist makes a terse reappearance.

Thanks to J-Man for the artist addition.

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