Throughout the course of this site’s 15 year history, I’ve spilled a ton of virtual ink on the Antananarivo, Madagascar-based JOVM mainstays LohArano. Since their formation, the Malagasy metal outfit — Mahalia Ravoajanahary (vocals, guitar), Michael Raveloson (bass, vocals) and Natiana Randrianasoloson (drums, vocals) — have received attention both nationally and internationally for a unique, boundary pushing sound that features elements of popular and beloved Malagasy musical styles like Tsapiky and Salegy with heavy metal.
The Madagascar-based outfit’s sound and approach represents a bold generation of Malagasy youth that still honors, reveres and respects the traditions and practices of their culture and elders, while also being deeply inspired by contemporary, Western genres and styles.
Back in 2023, the JOVM mainstays released the Bae Nosy EP, a title, which roughly translates into English as “beloved island.” EP title track “Bae Nosy” is an urgent, mosh pit friendly ripper built around rumbling down-tuned bass, thunderous drumming and Tom Morello-like guitar work paired with Mahalia Ravoajanahary’s furious roar. And at its core, the song evokes a real sense of nihilism and ennui, informed by the fact that the world is on fire and that everything is fleeting. So might as well have some fun while everything burns around us, right?
Recently, “Bae Nosy” was used as the theme song for season 3, episode 6 of the hit Paramount+ show Yellowjackets. And with the growing attention around the band, they shared a music video for the song, directed by Tsiory Andrianamanana.
The accompanying video features the trio in what appears to be a paper-strewn abandoned building. Throughout we see the band doing a mix of traditional Malagasy dancing, headbanging, moshing and just melting faces while displaying their remarkable energy.