Minniva is the name used by rising star Marit Børresen of Norway. She began her journey with covers of symphonic classics from Nightwish, Delain, Within Temptation, and others from Iron Maiden, Sabaton, Muse, and many more. She's put a metal spin on classics, most notably Christmas songs. She often collaborates with accomplished musicians and vocalist, including Dan Vasc of Brazil. Everything she does is polished and demonstrates incredible vocal ability, attentio to detail, and - why hasn't she got a recorfding contract yet?
No matter - here on Rock Rips we've been enchanted enough by her work that she's had nine hits on the Rock Rips Top 20 since 2017. Her very first was a cover of "Jingle Bells" with Orion's Reign, the first of 4 Christmas tunes to reach the top 20. She also covered Amaranthe's "Amaranthine" with different words for the pandemic, and called ot "My Quarantine." Part parody, part serious, the song went to #1 for 5 weeks back in 2020 and landed at #4 for the year on the year-end chart!
After that, Minniva went through a tough time and was mostly off of social media for a long time. She bounced back in 2022 with an unapologetically personal and emotional cover of Muse's "Unintended." You'd think it'd be unlikely to top her previous success, but the song went to #1 for 6 weeks and finished in the bridesmaid position for the year! It's also my favourite song of hers to date.
Check out Minniva's YouTube page and check out her personal website here: minniva.com. She also ha a patreon site where you can donate to help her out. She also got Tarja's attention back in 2023 with a cover of "Until My Last Breath," where Tarja herself offered a review. What a nod to Minniva's talent!
