Do correct me if I am wrong when I say that Metal music in the Maldives Islands is a rare commodity. Well maybe there is a new approaching wave that has began shaping a beached in there. NOTHNEGAL is the second band from the Islands that came to my attention. Newly signed to the French Season Of Mist label, these young dudes released their debut album "Decadence" that consists of a darkened, somewhat melodic, modern Death Metal along with a few doomy and atmospheric elements that elevated the mystic nature of some of the songs. I wouldn't predict that a new star was born with this release, yet I can say that NOTHNEGAL proved their worth and the why they were offered a record deal.

I suppose that in the beginning it might not strike you that there is something special among the rhythms and down tuned riffing. Despite the fact that a selection of the featured riffs was pretty dry and even monotonic at times, when the cloud of keyboards stepped in with guns blazing, these riffs attained a sort of purpose. Furthermore, and I wished there were more to them, NOTHNEAGL fired up a few well crafted solos and went smoothly through the down tuned riffing and integrated successfully with the halo of keyboards. Tue vibrant drumming throughout the release was thanks to the awesome American talent, Kevin Tally, which has playing it like as the mercenary for hire in the last couple of years. When it came to the vocal line I knew that I would probably be in a growly land, which was at least understandable and clear, though in the last two tracks the vocal line refreshingly changed into a cold pattern of clean vocals. Production wise, I wouldn't have selected a different sound to this group, as for the mixing I deemed that everything was in order and in its place with the attention it deserves.

More or less the songs on "Decadence" were practically in the same level. The intensity of the riffing and great roles of the lead section made me favor "Decadence", "Sins Of Our Creations" and "Claymore". However, as I mentioned earlier, it was unfortunate that there weren't that too many solos for further impression. NOTHNEAGL offers a little challenge for the mind to face but not without giving it an option to just sit back to enjoy the darkness that holds it in ice. This is just the intro to what can end up as a start for something great. Let's see how it goes... For now, fetch yourself an album.