AOR band AXIA was created in 1984 by guitarist Morgan Blomqvist with a line-up that included vocalist Peo Pettersson, bassist Niclas Ericsson and drummer Michael Alexandersen. After the first single, 1985's 'Charge It Up & Blast It Out!', Petersson left to join Christian rockers LEVITICUS. Still a going concern in 1991, AXIA replaced vocalist Håkan Johansson with former SWEDISH EROTICA man Tony Niva in order to record a 1993 demo cassette. Drums were handled for this session by EUROPE's Ian Haugland.

In 1994 AXIA adopted the new title of NIVA, releasing the 'No Capitulation' album in Japan. The MTM Classix label re-issued the eponymous album in February of 2004.