Nereis

Emerging from Italy with a melodic hard rock foundation sharpened by heavy metal intensity, Nereis first performed as Black Star until adopting their present name in 2017. The Trento-based outfit formed in 2007 and draws from an eclectic range of inspirations such as Avenged Sevenfold, Bon Jovi, Trivium, Iron Maiden, Alice in Chains, and Kings of Leon, among others. Early on they built their reputation as a popular regional covers band before issuing their initial original recordings, Burnin' Game, in 2012. A wave of lineup shifts occurred the next year, leaving a stable lineup that paired longtime members Sam Fabrello on guitar, Gian Nadalini on bass, and Dave Odorizzi on drums with new additions Andy Barchiesi handling lead vocals and Mattia Pessina on guitar. Operating still as Black Star, this configuration delivered the EP From the Ashes in 2014 and embarked on extensive live activity. The ensemble formally became Nereis in 2017 and turned their attention to a debut album, which appeared the following year on U.S.-based Eclipse Records under the title Turning Point.