Meka Nism comes from the warm regions of Orlando bringing a unique, rare mix of spiritual cleansing through shamanistic elements, energy healing and heavy music. The five-piece is helmed by the savage and striking voice and presence of Meka. Combining operatic peaks, with clean vocals and screeching growls she leads with grand warrior spirit, stimulating and perplexing audiences. With loud, heavy sounds provided by guitarist Bobby Keller, drummer Chris Lane, keyboardist Jay Adkisson and bassist Jarret Robinson.
So far they’ve shared stages with Sevendust, Hellyeah, Avatar, Evanescence, and Otep with multiple festival appearances and were christened Orlando’s best band by Orlando Weekly. They’ve also played with Mastodon and Gojira, who brought them on stage during their show.
Meka’s also played guitar in punk bands Dirty Barby and Angel Autopsy. Formed in 2006 as Meka Nism and the Rusty Years, they released first record Mad to Love. In 2010, after a lengthy stay in Japan, Meka returned to push the band as Meka Nism; releasing The Dance at the End of the World EP in 2013 based on apocalyptic predictions at the time with accompanying debut video “Bring the Sun Back.” In 2014, The Shift EP followed with high profile national touring with Trapt and Otep. They also played The Machine Shop in Michigan releasing a live show in 2015.
They recorded The War Inside in Germany picking 2018 to spread the gospel. Their trip home was postponed by the hurricane in Florida and ended up seeing Metallica in Cologne. Their music was even played in the band’s VIP room.
The video for “The War Inside” shows the band playing in a room as spiritual figures slowly surround them in ceremonial fashion. Meka explains the symbolism used, “We’re trying to include everyone that has different battles like depression, anxiety and addiction. It always feels like we have to get up and fight every day. Have the courage to be your own hero rescuing yourself from the situation. Turn yours into something awesome and empowering.”
The background characters are about inner healing, “It’s similar to spiritual healing, reiki and shamanism. It’s a shamanic journey, like psychology, you go into your subconscious into the underworld.” Shamanism can be described as energy work, helping to heal the chakras. Your challenges and fears can become your greatest allies once faced and healed.
Meka describes the journey one character takes in the video, “Whatever crap you get in life, if you can get through it, you’re stronger on the other side. Be your own shaman superhero. That’s how we represented the shamanic journey. The chakras are healing the out of line chakras. It becomes whole again. The character of the shaman bathing herself, she’s becoming healed and powerful again.”
Meka is the sole practitioner in the band but everyone has their own cool aspects. “Bobby’s really into cool monsters like Frankenstein, Creature from Black Lagoon and Dracula. Jay and Christopher are into music theory and all types of things. Jay’s a mechanic that can fix anything. I just do spiritual things.”
They all have passions they try to visually display, “The things that are less common in our everyday life is what we need,” Meka says. “Music is where we get community and benefits through vibrations and connections.”
She summarizes Shamanism, “Any culture of time in the world, practicing any type of energy healing. Anything can be shamanism. It’s kind of a vague academic term to encompass all the vague spiritual and energy work happening on this planet.” Reiki and massage are included, anything fitting that category. The spiritual healers are the doctors of the spiritual world.
Meka wears feathers on stage, “There are headdresses for different purposes but I wear feathers. I stick feathers in my hair and dreads, like a Viking warrior. The feathers help in a spiritual way. They help me cut through the crap of the world and take flight.” It’s part of her spiritual calling and not just something that looks cool. “Any great healer will have their garb.”
She tells the story behind the “Bring the Sun Back video,” “That was the first song I wrote when I came back from Japan. The guitar playing was more my level than “The War Inside.” It was more of Bobby ‘The Ripper’ Keller showing off his storytelling prowess. The video was the story of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess, and the Japanese Buddha dancers.” It’s a great song and story letting her use different art forms and a chance to sing in Japanese. “Bobby had to be in the swamp with the alligators, so it was one of the most dangerous moments of his life.”
The Origami Girls was one band Meka played with in Japan, “We’re still connected. Someday we’ll play more shows, we’re still sisters.” Japanese promotors are interested in them reuniting. Meka played 150 shows while there and wants to create a cultural bridge connecting styles and genres including visual kei. Though she says, “We’re a little too dirty to be visual kei.” She did get to see X Japan while there.
“The Shift” from their previous record begins with a Charlie Chaplin speech from The Great Dictator. “It’s fast and furious. Chaplin really hit on some relevant issues and that classic voice, was his power. There’s always thing’s to learn from our ancestors. Chaplin did silent films most of his career but had a very powerful voice when he chose to speak.”
Meka addresses the female fronted label, “It doesn’t matter to a point. I’m a female and have a very powerful and forceful voice and a very soft and pretty one.” The uniqueness is a gift she hopes the fans like. “I wanna be in a genre that’s not used to having the female perspective.” She gets excited when she sees anyone doing something different or unexpected. “I want to offer a character to the rock and metal world that’s about empowerment.”
She wants the warrior spirit to roar and soar over historical stereotypes and depictions of women in music. Though her version is loud, it’s tailored to her talents and vision.
While she thinks the sonic force and delivery of Arch Enemy style music is needed, what Meka Nism is offering is needed too, delivering a unique visual package with diverse sound. She’s been a performer since birth using her spirited experience and enthusiasm live, “I just do it and see what comes out. I’ve been lucky so far. I’m really passionate about what I have to say. It comes out in my own way with something unique to offer.”
The band collectively brings something different to the stage, “The way Bobby plays guitar is very unique. I wouldn’t be complete as a female artist without the way Bobby plays guitar. We have a cool group. The chemistry is very ego free. We can really be collaborative with our efforts and work off each other.”
They’re one of the few, possibly only, metal bands that include shamanistic themes in their music and visuals. “I’ve seen bands use tribal themes like Soulfly and Viking and Celtic bands. I think we’re on the forefront of the shaman theme,” Keller says.
Meka’s work with her Siberian shaman teacher inspired the lyrics to “Black Sky.” The style of shamanism is called black sky. She’s also worked with Kham-Siberian healers, “I carry the Peruvian medicine bag that I worked on for three years with my teacher and tribe. Energy work is a modern way to put it. I do spiritual advisement. It’s a big part of who I am in and outside the band.” Whatever they go through in life comes out through the songs and on stage.
Shamanism is about manifesting the life you want, your shadow self and dealing with things that aren’t always comfortable. The most difficult things in life turn into the biggest blessings. There are things you must let go of to progress and transform. Life would not be beautiful without the hard stuff, treasure every moment under the stars and sky.
They’re an international band and want to continue their global pilgrimage, “Every day’s a different story. All the people we get to connect with, in turn connect with the music we’re creating, it’s so inspirational. We got a lot of cool stories and experiences.”
They’ve covered mostly the East Coast and Midwest. Meka’s played a few solo shows on the West Coast. They’ve played in Columbus and The Agora in Cleveland.
Meka will do music for life, “The heavier music definitely had my soul and grew from there.” She’s been a performer in dance, theater and music since she could walk putting shows on the porch and concerts for the neighborhood. “I can’t, not do it, otherwise I’m not me.”
Keller came from a musical family, “Music’s always been a huge part of my life. I remember seeing Metallica, Gojira and Machine Head for the first time, being blown away.”
They’d like to play Red Rock, Download Festival, Budakan and Rock in Rio eventually. They’re road dogs wanting as much touring as possible.
The War Inside EP is available for preorder, out May 10. A video for “Trailblazer’s” is on the way containing lots of band promised, fire. It will be filmed in a special place representing local Orlando culture.
The summer will bring shows in Florida while trying to branch out with the EP. “Thank you so much for having us. It’s been an honor and pleasure for sure.” You can check them out on social media, Amazon and other outlets. “We really appreciate the love and support we’re getting. We can’t wait to release this new EP and hope everyone really likes it.”
