Nicolas Meier is the the lead guitarist of the London based metal band Seven7. Born in Zurich, Switzerland on 24th September 1973, Meier started playing guitar at the early age of 12. From a young age Meier was exposed to a wide range of music via his parents. These included Classical, Flamenco, Jazz, Latin as well as Rock and Pop. What really inspired Meier to learn guitar was a gift from his father of the legendary Joe Satriani’s album ‘Surfing with the Aliens’ and Tony MacAlpine’s ‘Maximum Security’.
Meier studied arranging with Max Jendly and Francis Boland before earning a scholarship to Berklee in Boston, USA and immersing himself in classic American jazz, Acoustic jazz and Fusion. He graduated and returned to Switzerland in 1998 and formed the Meier Group who became festival regulars and jammed in Montreux with the likes of Rachelle Ferrel, George Duke, Macy Gray and Will Calhoun.
Meier soon missed the vibe of Boston but was looking for the somewhere that combined it with European Culture and moved to London. Arriving in London Meier met drummer Asaf Sirkis who he credits with helping open his ears to Middle-Eastern music as well as helping him find his feet in London.
In 2006 Meier formed Seven7 who have been working hard since producing some of the most refreshing metal music in recent years. Meier uses his experience and love of Jazz to his advantage, uniting the two genres. The creative playing of the Baglama and Oud by Meier and the use of oriental rhythm and scales and adds a whole new layer to the music, developing Seven7’s sound into something unique
After releasing two demo E.P.s their debut album, ‘Try Something Different’ released in 2009 featured guest guitar solos from Steve Smyth (Nevermore/Testament) and received positive reviews from many. Since then they have been regularly touring London as well as a few National tours.
In May 2011 Seven7 released their second full length album, ‘Under Eye’, with a worldwide release expected in August via MGP Records.
Meier uses a Music Man JP 7 string and an Ibanez Universal 7 string through Marshall and Line 6 amps. The guitars are strung with Ernie Ball strings and tuned to A-D-G-C-F-A-d.