Apocrypha (album)
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Apocrypha
| type = studio
| artist = Nikki Stringfield
| cover = Nikki_Stringfield_Apocrypha.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2023|9|29 }}
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Heavy metal
| length = {{duration||55|06}}
| label = Independent
| producer = Patrick Kennison{{Cite web|url=https://screamermagazine.com/press-releases/nikki-stringfield-releases-her-first-full-length-solo-album-apocrypha/|title=Nikki Stringfield Releases her First Full-Length Solo Album "Apocrypha"|first=David|last=Castagno|date=September 12, 2023|website=Screamer Magazine}}
| prev_title = Harmonies for the Haunted
| prev_year = 2019
| year = 2023
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
Apocrypha is the debut studio album by American heavy metal musician Nikki Stringfield. It was released on September 29, 2023.{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2023 |title=Apocrypha by Nikki Stringfield |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/apocrypha/1698431652 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014204811/https://music.apple.com/us/album/apocrypha/1698431652 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |via=music.apple.com}}
Production
Unlike Harmonies for the Haunted, Stringfield employed a full musical ensemble. The quartet consisted of Stringfield on vocals and guitar, Patrick Kennison on guitar and studio bass, Jesse Davidson on live bass and Shad Wilhelm on percussion.{{Cite web |title=NIKKI STRINGFIELD – "People Still Don’t Know That I Sing" |url=https://bravewords.com/features/nikki-stringfield-people-still-dont-know-that-i-sing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014205118/https://bravewords.com/features/nikki-stringfield-people-still-dont-know-that-i-sing |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |website=bravewords.com}}
Critical reception
Todd Jolicoeur of 100% ROCK MAGAZINE stated that "Stringfield has unleashed a solo record unlike most from other six-string slingers… she takes the lead behind the guitar and the mic" and that "'Where the Demons Lie' is a straight forward rocker that features some churning and chugging riffs that carry the track from start to finish while Stringfield's vocals are draped perfectly across the track". Jolicoeur then adds that closing tune "Unite" "is a great end to the disc, as it prompts you to replay the whole disc again just to catch some of the other underlying nuances you may have missed".{{Cite web |last=Jolicoeur |first=Todd 'ToddStar' |date=September 28, 2023 |title=MUSIC REVIEW: NIKKI STRINGFIELD - Apocrypha |url=https://100percentrock.com/2023/09/music-review-nikki-stringfield-apocrypha/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930195312/https://100percentrock.com/2023/09/music-review-nikki-stringfield-apocrypha/ |archive-date=September 30, 2023}}
Thomas Coffman of KNAC and Coffman Photography professed that "This album has a perfect combo of killer guitar riffs and vocals" going on to say that "The lyrics of each song are very well thought out and the music is played to perfection showing that she took her time to bring the most completed, solid result possible".{{Cite web |title=KNAC.COM - Reviews - NIKKI STRINGFIELD 'Apocrypha' |url=https://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=45913#:~:text=This%20album%20has%20a%20perfect,most%20completed,%20solid%20result%20possible |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724192550/http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=45913 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=www.knac.com}}
XS Rock indicated that the work is "hard rock with touches of metal featuring varied harmonies, catchy hooks and riffs, and vocals that introduce something entirely new for Stringfield" continuing to indicate that "While most know her as just a pure guitarist, this new album has allowed her to showcase not just her instrumental skills, but her writing and singing skills as well".{{Cite web |last=Caughron |first=Bobby |date=September 13, 2023 |title=Guitar Shredder Nikki Stringfield Releases her First Solo Album "Apocrypha" |url=https://xsrock.com/guitar-shredder-nikki-stringfield-releases-her-first-solo-album-apocrypha/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917032239/https://xsrock.com/guitar-shredder-nikki-stringfield-releases-her-first-solo-album-apocrypha/ |archive-date=September 17, 2023 |website=XS ROCK}}
Touring
On 28 September 2023, Stringfield performed her album release show in California.{{Cite web |title=NIKKI STRINGFIELD Announces Apocrypha Album Release Show |url=https://bravewords.com/news/nikki-stringfield-announces-apocrypha-album-release-show |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014205703/https://bravewords.com/news/nikki-stringfield-announces-apocrypha-album-release-show |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |website=bravewords.com}} In January 2024, Stringfield plans to open in Las Vegas, Nevada for American heavy metal musician John 5.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Scott |date=September 28, 2023 |title=Nikki Stringfield: "Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and put your mind to it"... |url=https://sentineldaily.com.au/nikki-stringfield-anything-is-possible-if-you-believe-in-yourself-and-put-your-mind-to-it/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014205946/https://sentineldaily.com.au/nikki-stringfield-anything-is-possible-if-you-believe-in-yourself-and-put-your-mind-to-it/ |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Sentinel Daily}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Aprocrypha track listing{{Cite web |title=Apocrypha |url=https://www.amazon.com/Apocrypha-Nikki-Stringfield/dp/B0CCBT4DCP |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014210053/https://www.amazon.com/Apocrypha-Nikki-Stringfield/dp/B0CCBT4DCP |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Amazon.com}}
| extra_column =
| title1 = No Surrender
| length1 = 4:44
| title2 = The Spell
| length2 = 4:38
| title3 = Where the Demons Lie
| length3 = 4:41
| title4 = The Outsider
| length4 = 5:18
| title5 = Lunacy
| length5 = 4:36
| title6 = Save Me
| length6 = 4:34
| title7 = Kiss from a Rose
| length7 = 4:57
| title8 = Flesh and Bones
| length8 = 5:27
| title9 = Wasting Away
| length9 = 4:07
| title10 = As Chaos Consumes
| length10 = 4:32
| title11 = Sweet Insanity
| length11 = 6:06
| title12 = Unite
| length12 = 1:26
| total_length = {{duration||55|06}}
}}
Personnel
- Nikki Stringfield - guitars, vocals
- Patrick Kennison - guitars, bass, production
- Jesse Davidson - bass
- Shad Wilhelm - percussion