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Melbourne’s alt-metal act
NIKA
unleash new shadowy alternative
RnB inspired single
“ABSENCE”
Out Now

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Emerging Melbourne band NIKA returned on December 1st with “Absence”, a raw and atmospheric new single that dives deep into the isolating, emotional spaces we rarely say out loud. Blending the soul-heavy vulnerability of 2000’s RnB with the intensity and edge of modern metal, NIKA once again proves why they are one of Australia’s most compelling new voices.

“Absence” is built on brooding production, hypnotic vocal layers, and surges of metallic grit that crash beneath NIKA’s confessional lyricism. The track captures the feeling of being alone – in your head, in your room, in your emotions – and letting the weight of that solitude speak. It’s intimate, cinematic, and emotionally heavy in the way only NIKA can deliver.

Known for effortlessly weaving together worlds that rarely collide, NIKA has carved out a singular lane in the Australian music landscape. Their sound sits at the crossroads of shadowy RnB, alternative metal, electronic ambience, and raw emotional honesty, never confined, always evolving.

With “Absence”, NIKA drags listeners into a moment of stillness, reflection, and unapologetic feeling.

NIKA says this about the song- “This is a song for late nights, quiet rooms, and anyone who’s ever struggled with the heaviness of being alone.”

“Absence” is available on all major streaming platforms now.

Fans of Spiritbox, Northlane, Sleep Token, Yonaka and Loathe, Dua Lipa take note. This is your new obsession.

NIKA is:

Danika Dakic
Drew Gardner
Liam Bradford
Shane Russell

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NIKA Biography

NIKA is an emerging force in alternative metal, hailing from Melbourne, Australia. Blending the raw intensity of metal with the sultry smoothness of R&B, her sound is as daring as it is distinctive. Drawing inspiration from genre-defying artists like Sleep Token, Rihanna, and Ariana Grande, NIKA carves out a space entirely her own moody, melodic, and confidently original.

Deeply connected to her Balkan roots, NIKA’s vocal style is shaped by the emotive power of artists such as Senidah and Ceca Ražnatović, channeling a fierce femininity and soulful depth that transcends borders. Her music is a visceral experience ethereal yet heavy, delicate yet explosive.

NIKA leads a razor-sharp 4-piece band, amplifying the raw emotion of her sound with unmatched intensity. 

Behind the drum kit is Shane ‘Russ’ Russell, whose work with one of progressive rock’s most influential bands Twelve Foot Ninja has left an undeniable mark on the genre. His intricate, hard-hitting style brings a commanding rhythmic force to the live show, locking in with NIKA’s vocals to create a performance that’s both immersive and unrelenting. 

Multi-instrumentalist and bands producer Drew Gardner, plays an integral role in shaping how NIKA’s tracks hit on the live stage. His sonic vision makes each song pop in the room, adding energy and nuance in equal measure.

Guitarist Liam Bradford brings serious weight to the stage, delivering crushing riffs that shake the very foundations of any room they play, while also weaving in ambient, melodic leads that deepen the emotional impact of the performance.

Together, the band channels a primal energy. They are tight, volatile, and impossible to ignore.

With a voice that can both haunt and heal, Nika is not just bending genres, she’s here to “burn everything down and build it new.”

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Follow NIKA
Tik Tok – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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AMNPLIFY – DB