UN: Nyia's musical approach is quite unique. Was it known from the start of the band that the music was going to push the envelope for extreme music and create something unique and original?

Michael: I think guys might have expected their music would shake extreme underground a bit. Imagine contemporary Tower of Babel where five sound terrorists speak their own musical languages, to finally create a new dictionary of broken notes. The ideas must have spent years on the bottoms of their souls, waiting for their time. The time has come.

UN: Would you say that Discordance Axis or Meshuggah helped influence the musical direction of the band? Out of all of the bands out there, those are the only two on the planet that I can even begin to link the bands sound to.

Michael: Honestly, we don't know D.A. at all (except for Szymon, who seems to know every band on the planet). As far as Meshuggah is concerned, well, it's a really important flock for the whole heavy family, definitely a milestone. And it's a pleasure for us to be mentioned in the same line with them. But I don't think we took after them in anything more than viciousness and sense of humour.

UN: One thing I was incredibly surprised by was that this was the bands debut recording. Do you think that each of the members being involved with bands that were at a more professional level helped Niya to come together quickly? Or was it more so a situation where inspiration allowed the sound to come together quickly?

Michael: Correct me if I'm wrong. Do you treat NYIA as a less professional band than Vader, Prophecy or Kobong? You better not! Seriously, all the years spent with previous bands helped us to choose the right way, I mean all of us became more experienced, mature both as men and musicians. We have learned how to use our instruments to express our ideas. So now we don't have to search for particular sound or note for hours, but we may concentrate on making our inspirations flow easily, spontaneously. This makes our rehearsals more effective, and even after all these years gives unbelievable fun and power.

UN: The singer from the album has left the band since recording. You guys brought in Michael from Prophecy to fill the void. How has this been working out? Is his vocal style the same as Bogdan's was? I couldn't really picture the band with a much different vocal style. It seems to fit the rhythmic style of the band perfectly.

Michael: You're asking the wrong guy, huh, huh! To end up any doubts! This works out perfectly so far. Of course Bogdan's style is unique and I love it, but mine according to rest of my teammates and fans, is dirty, insane and strong enough to lead NYIA in it's way throughout the world.

UN: Were you guys a bit surprised that Candlelight was interested in the band? They are definitely an amazing label, but you guys definitely stand out like a sore thumb amongst the black metal and death metal bands. I think this might work out to your advantage though, as you definitely stand out amongst every other band on the roster

Michael: Surprised? Sure we were, but everything changes and perhaps so does Candlelight. But first and foremost, the Londoners offered the best terms, clear and present deal and contract. It's a kind of specific partnership between us, not a typical band/label relation. We enjoy it, and hope both sides always will.

UN: Do you think the technical nature of the band might just be a bit too much for some people? I'm sure some people will just hear this and be like what the hell just hit me! Obviously with music of this nature you are playing it for yourselves first and foremost. Are you guys happy remaining a relatively small band? There are people that will enjoy this but it's definitely a genre that hasn't exploded yet.

Michael: So it's time the genre exploded!!! We never focused on certain addresse of our music. We're not sweetshit mongers with a specific target to reach. Perhaps our stuff is a little bit hard to digest, but we do not wonder how to make NYIA more edible for crowds, because we love it. It's ours, it's natural, it's us! And you'll never see an angelic beauty singing like a nightingale and swaying among us. (O.K. We'll make an exception for Jenna Jamison only)

UN: Are you guys itching to get some new material out there for the world to consume? From what I could gather from the bio this album was recorded in 2001, so you guys must have some newer stuff happening. Would you say the band has changed at all since recording Head Held High?

Michael: If you have trouble trying to classify NYIA anyhow, leave all your hope, cause the new material is something that completely got out of our control! We plan to record the whole new album in autumn 2004, so far more than half the stuff is ready, and we're going to try it on our audience, adding it bit by bit to our regular tracklist. You'll see!

UN: Here's an easy one, what exactly does Nyia mean? I can honestly say it's a word that I have never seen before in my life.

Michael: NYIA describes an unidentified pagan demon, chronically appearing within pagan beliefs and legends. Named the deity of the Polesā or Polansā€¯- a tribe from which Poles evolved. Like the Roman Pluto, Nyia was the lord of Underworld, the guardian and keeper of human souls leaving their bodies. According to Brueckner the word Nyia stems from Latin verb niti ā€“ to rot, decay or to disappear, to ache, to miss, to weary. And we are not New York Insurance Association (NYIA). You're right the name is an extraterrestial one, and we chose it more for its sound than meaning, but in fact they both rule.

UN: With music so challenging what exactly do you hope for people to get out of it? Possibly just to be in the same mindset as the band and them being willing to wrap their minds around what they are doing? It's definitely not something for the casual listener.

Michael: It's something we call freedom with power of expression, no boundaries, covers, envelopes. If people only decide to open their minds for less than 25 minutes, it will be enough time for Nyia to possess their minds and souls completely. Huh! If not we'll strike back next year. Don't forget that: ...a little rebellion now and then is a good thing.... Who the hell said this?

Thanks a lot and best regards to all UnboundZine readers and future Nyia fans in the homeland of Voivod, Skinny Puppy, Garou, Ice Hockey and maple syrup. Au revoir!