The Indian metal scene continues to produce bands capable of competing with the genre’s international heavyweights, and Nihilus, a technical death metal ban from Bangalore, is a perfect example. Formed in 2009 by drummer Siddharth Manoharan and guitarist Manu Manjunath, the band has spent years refining a sound that blends technical precision, extreme intensity, and ambitious songwriting. Their highly anticipated debut album, Borealis, fully embodies this vision, featuring complex compositions, thought provoking themes, and even a title track designed to be listened to both forwards and backwards. To learn more about the album, its unique creative concept, and the state of the metal scene in India, The Offering spoke with the band.
Hi guys, how are you doing today?
Nihilus: Hi! We are doing great, thank you.
For readers who may be discovering Nihilus for the first time, could you introduce the band and tell us a little about how it all started?
Nihilus: Nihilus is a technical death metal band from Bangalore, India. The band was formed in 2009 by Siddharth and Manu, and after a few lineup changes over the years, we have arrived at our current lineup: Siddharth Manoharan (Drums, Backing Vocals), Manu Manjunath (Guitars), Karthik Hariharan (Bass) and Pearl Salhotra (Vocals).
Your debut album, Borealis, has just been released. Can you tell us about the creative process behind the record and the themes explored in its lyrics?
Nihilus: The concept for Borealis started when Siddharth and Manu were discussing the idea of writing a song that could work both forwards and backwards, essentially a musical palindrome. They already had a few other singles ready and the story formed itself around Borealis, the title track about an Alien invasion, but beyond the obvious there are political notes beneath the surface of the story.
One of the album’s most intriguing aspects is the fact that you have written a song that can be experienced both forwards and backwards. How did that concept come about, and what were the challenges involved in bringing it to life?
Nihilus: The idea for Borealis came from a conversation about Blotted Science and one of their compositions that was designed to work forwards and backwards. We thought it was a fascinating concept and wanted to see how far we could take it ourselves. The initial writing process was incredibly exciting, but actually making it work was a huge challenge. We wanted the song to feel both technical and groovy regardless of which direction it was played, and achieving that took months of experimentation and refinement. In the end, we are very happy with how it turned out.
While Nihilus is rooted in technical death metal, your music incorporates a variety of elements. What are some of the key musical influences that have shaped your sound?
Nihilus: We listen to everything ranging from classical music to black death and Avante garde. Our main influences in similar genres are: Necrophagist, Archspire, Atheist, Behemoth, Origin, Aborted, Spawn of Possession to name a few.
India has produced a growing number of exciting metal bands in recent years. How would you describe the current state of the Indian metal scene, and what has your experience been within it?
Nihilus: The Indian Metal culture is experiencing a boom and in a great way at that. We are fortunate to be part of the scene in this era.
With Borealis now out in the world, what are the band’s plans and ambitions for the future?
Nihilus: We have a few shows planned starting January onwards, do follow us on Instagram and Our socials for updates and announcements. We have an exciting announcement coming up this week so watch the socials carefully.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything you would like to say to our readers and everyone supporting Nihilus?
Nihilus: Thank you for your support! You brought us to this moment and we are forever grateful to the metal community and we will continue to write more intense music from our hearts.