Cold Red Review
RoomThirteen.com
Rating: 11 / 13

The year is 2003 and in a small county opposite London, the music scene is dire. The only band doing anything to revive the dying faith in rock music within Essex at this time were InMe and though strong, their intentions and efforts were largely unnoticed and seemed hopeless accomplished alone. A group of young people could not stand back and watch the scene that the very essence of their heart and souls belonged to just fade away and die within their home county, not without a good fight at least. In 2003 a group of 5 individuals banded together in the fight to save music, brought together to put forth their efforts and bring a respectable name in rock back to Essex, their name from then on was to be known as Niota.

Bringing together the intensity of Poison The Well with the passion of Deftones and the emotion of Funeral For A Friend, the band have earned a great reputation for being a powerful and energetic live band having played dozens of shows since their inception including many headline slots at respectable UK venues. They may only be just over a year old but already Niota look set to cause a storm and it's not hard to see why they’ve already become a great success. There is something so prestigious about the gentle, emotive tweaking of descending notes belonging to the introduction of 'Paper Fuse' that just touches the soul. Kicking into a beautiful and emotive verse that tugs on the heartstrings and really showcases the impressive voice of Ben Keenan. Capable of switching between a smooth and mournful tone of voice and a rasping, vengeful vocal quality often found lurking within stereotypical emo bands with effortless ease while keeping the guitars nicely driven and energetic, the talents of Ben Keenan mix and blend perfectly with the efforts of the rest of the band to create a clean and majestic clear sound with enough emotion to drown a city in sheer musical bliss.

The second track 'Shatter' is a complete contrast in that it is much faster, sharper and much more aggressive in its onslaught with rougher, grating vocals that pound out rhythm like a gigantic mechanical heart. The music is alive and burning brightly and the sound rises in intensity and power as the flame of the inferno of its structure goes ever stronger. It is clear from this explosive debut single that Niota will be well received and will make a real difference towards their goal of reviving the fading music scene in Essex. Niota simply are martyrs for music.