Niō is a drum and guitar post-metal band formed in San Francisco by Davide Tiso (Ephel Duath, Gospel of the Witches) and Jef Pauly (New Diplomat, Vela Eyes). According to David:
I see Niō like a shamanic circle of power. Inside that circle we are protected from the outside world and free to fully express ourselves as we please. Inside that circle we are free to musically wander wherever we want, free to warp things up, free to change skin, free to look things upside down. We symbolize this aspect of our band playing live facing each other and surrounded by a circle of white lights. Improvisation and musical interaction is a focal point in our composition mode while instinct and gut feelings are our muses. This band is about letting go and capturing raw feelings.
Niō is list as "for fans of Russian Circles, Rosetta, Pelican." Those familiar with those groups sounds actually already have a pretty good snapshot of what to expect from this self-titled debut. Guitar lines are extremely moody and emotive, ranging from slow sludgy power chords to bouncy prog hooks ("The Wheel"). Drums add weight to these emotions with a driving, rhythmic pounding that sets the tone right from the beginning on "Summit." Those toms are most excellent.
Listening to this does give me a similar response as the first time I listened to Russian Circle's Enter or Station; when the atmosphere was quite dark, before more lush melodies took over on Geneva (though "Cave Dweller" takes a step in this direction). Niō is all about minimalism and simplicity. Not in a way that makes the music trite or uninteresting, but rather the duo only utilizes just as many notes as are needed to convey their point. The result can be anything from an intense wall of cymbals and distortion to a few meandering snare hits and guitar lines.
Anyways, if you have enjoyed other stuff this year from groups like Raum Kingdom or Telepathy, you will most likely enjoy this album. Those familiar with little-known group Sleeping in Gethsemane should appreciate as well. In any case, it is streaming below via bandcamp for your pleasure. $5. Let us know what you think