If you haven’t already heard of Name In Vain, then you don’t know metal. Name In Vain or NIV as they are referred to, are a heavy metal outfit from Providence whose style is fist pounding metal with a hard rock vibe. The band’s MySpace has reached 125,000 hits and counting. In addition to a huge online following, NIV has established a great live following. The band currently has their eyes set on New York having conquered most of New England. With that said, it is beyond me that Name In Vain remains unsigned.
NIV is anything but a straightforward metal band. Singer Matt Pelosi’s vocal range is what distinguishes NIV from other metal bands. When not employing a raw and powerful sounding delivery, Pelosi easily switches to a baritone and often melodic singing which is reminiscent of Glen Danzig.
As strong as Pelosi’s voice is, NIV would not work if it was not for the talented musicians around him. The band currently consists of John Heroux on bass, Scott Trudeau on guitar and Marco Leva on drums. The band’s sound is reminiscent of Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pantera and Godsmack to name a few. Heroux draws his inspiration from the likes of Cliff Burton (Metallica), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Geddy Lee (Rush). Leva’s main influences include: Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and Igor Cavelera (Sepultura). Leva style is fast and aggressive while often performing complex rhythms. Newcomer Scott Trudeau provides heavy hitting guitar riffs and a solid rhythm which keep NIV’s unyielding sound true.
Although it will not be until later this year that we get to see a full-length album from NIV, the band has released a four song EP currently available on their website nameinvain.com. At the time of the recording, Bobby Klang (guitar) and Jeremy Jutras (drums) rounded out the band along with Pelosi and Heroux. Judging by their recent live shows the band’s sound has actually been enhanced with the addition of Leva and Trudeau.
The four tracks feature heavy hitting guitar riffs, pounding metal drums and a bass sound that straddles the line between typical shredding and more technical play. The standout track is the album’s opener entitled “Persecuted.” “Persecuted” exemplifies Pelosi’s gift of being able to switch from ferocious to melodic with great ease. The track “Pitbull Wings” is the most socially relevant track on the EP because it is based on the Denver 38 story which involved the City of Denver unjustly euthanizing 36 dogs and 2 puppies in 2006. Although heavy metal lyrics are often contrived and stereotypical, Name In Vain stands out with socially relevant and thought provoking lyrics.
Perhaps the only reason the band is not more recognized is because they are playing original material. Although it would be easier to be a typical metal cover band, Name In Vain refuses to do so. In an age where originality has been lost in music, NIV has created a unique brand of metal on their own terms and making no apologies for it.
For more info about the band check out their website at nameinvain.com or their MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/nameinvain. If you want to experience what you have just read check the band out live at JR’s Bourbon Street Rockhouse in Cranston, RI on April 29th.
Video for "Seething Red" and "Darkness Shines." "Seething Red" will be the opening track on NIV's upcoming album.
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