EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: NOTHNEGAL’S “JANUS”

Maybe it’s something in the water (The Indian Ocean), but Nothnegal aren’t the first band MetalSucks has featured from the tiny Maldives island chain, some 400 miles off the southern tip of India. I wouldn’t be too quick to call the Maldives a hot-bed for metal just yet, though; cousins Hilarl and Fufu, the band’s main creative forces, had to import musicians from as far away as America and Finland to round out their lineup. The cousins are supported by Six Feet Under, Dååth, ex-Chimaira drummer Kevin Talley and Finnish keyboard player Marco Sneck (Kalmah, Poisonblack) on their new album Decadence, which comes out on January 24th via Season of Mist. But the results paid off; Nothnegal are definitely worth a look by MetalSucks readers.

“Janus” is one of the record’s slower tracks, but that’s why we like it. The song’s deliberate pace allows plenty of room to breathe for the keyboards, which at times throughout Decadence can become overbearing. The result is a moody, doomy and dark yet aggressive slice of genre-melding metal that reminds me somewhat of Ihsahn or his backing band Leprous. Stream “Janus” below.”

Bonus: if you pre-order a copy of Decadence you’ll be automatically entered to win an all expenses paid trip to the Maldives! The 5-day journey will take place at the Fihalhohi Island Resort in Summer 2012. The winner will receive one return flight to the Maldives, an all-inclusive stay (including scuba-diving and other water sport activities) for two people and a meet and greet with the band.

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