“Aonia” is the place near Helicon mountain where the muses dwell. While this image sounds serene, the band’s sound is the polar opposite. Driving, almost thrashy riffs juxtapose against melodic, almost operatic vocals from ‘a soprano with balls’ for a sound that is a blending of the very old and the very new, tempered steel in a velvet glove.
Building on their successes as Bloodstock Metal to the Masses finalists, Aonia are currently gigging regularly, securing support slots at more well-known venues (e.g. Corporation in Sheffield) and in more high profile festivals (e.g. ‘Martin Walkyier’s Viking Funeral’ ‘Whitby Goth Weekend’ and ‘Warhorns Winter Festival’).
Rising phoenix-like from the ashes of the band ‘Cathexis’, Aonia was formed by drummer Tony Gaskell and vocalist Melissa Adams, along with guitarist James Brough. After changing members more often than underwear, the line-up has finally stabilised in January of 2012 with Gary on bass.
The band has had numerous successes, appearing in Metalhammer magazine, Terrorizer magazine, Alternative Female Voice magazine, Dominator Magazine and Bitchslap Alternative Fanzine. Aonia has been band of the month for Valkyrian Music and Alternative Voice websites and band of the day for Lizard King Music and Ginger Squirrel Music. They have also reached #9 on John’s Rock Show on Birmingham City Radio.
In December 2011, Aonia released its debut EP ‘City of Shadows’ to critical acclaim. They quickly followed this success with the filming of their debut video ‘Gift of the Curse’, which was released in March, 2012. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bILmENLY0yg)
According to Ravenheart Music, Aonia’s music is ‘For fans of Tarja-era Nightwish…traditional operatic power metal that pounds along.’
CackBlabbath writes, “Mel also has an impressive stage presence and the whole band put enough power and passion into the performance to fill an arena…Aonia are a band that are all set to step up to a bigger stage, there’s just so much going on here. If you’re a fan of melodic metal and amazing vocals then they are something that you need to check out.”
The Independent Voice’s review of ‘City of Shadows’ states: “Aonia have thrown a thunderbolt to earth in the form of their EP of power-charged operatic metal…the soaring vocals of frontwoman Mel makes the band’s peaks seem as high as Zeus’ mountain…At times Aonia break into Iron Maiden-ish musical territory and its clear there is a lot of talent in its ranks.”
Aonia has been lucky enough to share the stage with some amazing bands, including Ziyos, The Shiver, Skyclad, Warrior Soul, Northern Oak, Skarlett Riot, Cryptic Age, Ravenage and Stormborn.
Aonia has been compared to artists such as Nightwish, Within Temptation, Epica, ReVamp, Therion, After Forever, Leaves Eyes, Delain and Tarja.
CITY OF SHADOWS EP
Click to preview and buy the new EP
Our first promo for Gift Of The Curse is now finished:
News
Upcoming Gigs
- 31 May 13 - Aonia at Hall Cross - Doncaster
Hall Cross Pub 33 – 34 Hallgate, Doncaster, DN1 3NL - 29 Jun 13 - Metieval Festival – Hull - Hull
Newland Ave Hull HU5 2NN - 12 Jul 13 - Aonia and Apparition at the Dove & Rainbow - Sheffield
Hartshead City Centre S1 2EL - 13 Jul 13 - Aonia at Shades, Bridlington - Bridlington
Queens Square Town Centre, Bridlington YO15 2SJ - 27 Aug 13 - Aonia at The Maze - Nottingham
257 Stoney Street - 29 Aug 13 - Aonia at Aspire, Redcar - Redcar
96 High Street Redcar TS10 3DL - 7 Sep 13 - Valkyrian Fest Warm-Up Show - Bridlington
Queens Square Town Centre, Bridlington YO15 2SJ - 2 Nov 13 - Aonia returns to Whitby Goth Weekend -
1 Skinner St Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 3AH - 30 Nov 13 - Valkyrian Festival 2013 - Bridlington
Queens Square Town Centre, Bridlington YO15 2SJ