History

Cirrha Niva is a Dutch progressive metal band, formed in 1993 by guitarists Peter Vennema and Rob Willemse. The band's name is inspired by Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy and is a combination of the names Cirrha and Nisa, two peaks of Mount Parnassus mentioned in the work.

After their formation and the demo recordings of Alighieri’s Roots and After The Darkness, Cirrha Niva self-released their debut album, The Mirror World Dimension, in 1997. Shortly afterward, lineup changes occurred, with original singer Erik Smits and drummer Jack Puijker being replaced. Arnold Kloek took over vocals in November 1997.

In January 1998, Tommy White (drums) and Wilbert van den Broek (keyboard) joined the band. Under this lineup, the band released the studio albums No More Psychosis, Enter The Future Exit, and the rock opera Liaison de La Morte.

Released in 2001, Liaison de La Morte was a concept album written by guitarist Rob Willemse, comprising seven chapters. The rock opera, blending horror and romance, was performed in an operatic style with elaborate costumes, makeup, and intricate choreography. The production was officially sponsored by the Dutch Foundation for Amateur Art Fund and the Brabant Pop foundation.

In 2002, Cirrha Niva received a tour subsidy from the National Pop Institute (NPI) to perform the rock opera at the international music, art, and lifestyle festival Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, Germany. The rock opera was also featured in major theaters across the Netherlands and at the Broerenkerk church in Zwolle until the tour concluded in 2003.

Following Liaison de La Morte, only founding guitarist Rob Willemse and drummer Tommy White remained in the band. They were joined by dynamic lead singer Legrand, guitarist Carlo Heefer, and bassist Daniel Huijben. This lineup recorded the acclaimed 2009 album For Moments Never Done, which received worldwide distribution by The End Records and in the Benelux region through Suburban Records. The album also featured guest appearances by singers Robin de Groot (Chiraw) and Manda Ophuis (Nemesea), keyboardist Joost van den Broek (After Forever), and saxophonists Bouke Visser and Yuval Kramer (Amaseffer). Unfortunately Tommy left the band shortly after release of this album.

Besides the numerous headline shows with their Cult-rock opera ‘Liaison de la Morte’, and live shows for Ingeborg Steenhorst Fashion Shows at the prestige Effenaar venue in Eindhoven, Cirrha Niva also supported well known acts such as Lacuna Coil (IT), Evergrey (SE), Evanescence (USA), Pain of Salvation (SE), Planet X(USA) and Skyclad (UK) and Cirrha Niva supported Crimson Glory (USA) on their European Tour. Cirrha Niva played on several European festivals: Zwarte Cross Festival (NL), Progpower Europe (NL), Alcatraz Metal Festival (B), Wave Gothic Treffen (GER), Dokk’em Open Air (NL), Elsrock (NL) to mane a few.

On April 14, 2016, Cirrha Niva released their studio album Out Of The Freakshow, featuring eight tracks with a total playing time of 56 minutes. It was made available as a CD-Digipack and Gatefold 180g double black vinyl. Before the album's release, Michel Steenbekkers replaced Daniel Huijben, and later, Richard van der Linden replaced Carlo Heefer. The album featured guest appearances by Psychotic Waltz frontman Devon Graves, Theater Equation keyboardist Erik van Ittersum, and Scarlet Stories singer Lisette van den Berg. Interim band member Nathanael Taekema (Thomas Zwijsen Trio) created and played all the drums for the album, while Robert van Kooij became the permanent drummer immediately after the release.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Legrand left the band, and after nearly two years of searching for a replacement in vain, both Michel and Richard also departed. With over 14 new songs ready and completed as demo tracks, enough for two full-length albums, the band with Robert van Kooij and founder Rob Willemse is currently on hold.