Janvs
Italian post-metal/black metal band with Latin-inspired spelling.
Janvs is a post-metal/black metal band from Genova, Italy. Their name comes from the Roman god Janus, and they use a Latin-inspired spelling that swaps the letter "U" for "V"—so "Janus" becomes "Janvs," a pattern they also apply to their song and album titles.
The band formed in 2004, with Matteo Barelli on vocals and guitar, Claudio Fogliato on bass, and Francesco La Rosa on drums. Their first album, *Nigredo*, came out on September 1, 2004, in a limited run of 88 hand-numbered copies. Their next album, *Fvlgvres*, arrived in 2007 and is a concept album about "the shattering of human limits and condition, upon the longing and the temporary conquest of real moments of awareness and contact with the peaks of transcendence." In 2008, original drummer Francesco left and was replaced by Massimo Altomare, a well-known Italian drummer who joined Janvs as one of his many musical projects. The band has been covered in major metal magazines like *Terrorizer* and *Decibel*, and their sound is often compared to bands such as Ulver.
Current members are Matteo "Vinctor" Barelli (vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming), Claudio "Malphas" Fogliato (bass), and Massimo "m:A Fog" Altomare (drums). Former member Francesco La Rosa played drums, keyboards, and samples. Their discography includes *Nigredo* (2004, reissued in 2014), *Fvlgvres* (2007), and *Vega* (2008).
- formed
- 2004
- origin
- Genova, Italy
- field
- Post-metal/black metal
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Latin-style spelling replacing U with V; concept album Fvlgvres
Lore & Background
In 2008 the band's original drummer, Francesco, left the group. He was replaced by respected Italian drummer Massimo Altomare, making Janvs one of the many musical projects he became a part of. The band has also been covered in well-known metal magazines, such as Terrorizer and Decibel. They have been described as being musically akin to bands such as Ulver.
Reader's Guide
Janvs occupies a niche within progressive black metal, notable for their deliberate orthographic quirk of replacing U with V, a stylistic choice that extends to their album and song titles. Their debut Nigredo, limited to 88 hand-numbered copies, established a cult following. The 2007 concept album Fvlgvres explores themes of transcendence and human limits. The band's membership changes, particularly the departure of original drummer Francesco La Rosa and the arrival of Massimo Altomare, reflect a shift in their sound. Coverage in Terrorizer and Decibel, including a noted controversy with Terrorizer, indicates their presence in the metal press. Their music has been compared to Ulver, placing them in a lineage of experimental black metal. The band's legacy lies in their adherence to a distinct aesthetic and their contribution to the Italian underground metal scene.
Did You Know?
- The band's name is a Latin-style spelling of the Roman god Janus, replacing U with V.
- Their debut album Nigredo was limited to 88 hand-numbered copies.
- Original drummer Francesco La Rosa left in 2008 and was replaced by Massimo Altomare.
More in Post-metal musical groups 1-24
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