Again when it comes to American death metal bands, it’s hard to review them because a lot of the albums start to sound the same. However, there are the unique ones and up on the chopping block is the band Nile. Now my friends and I were supposed to see them at Ozzfest but they went on super early so we missed their set. After that though, I made sure to see them and I’ve always thought they put on a great live show. So let’s take a look…..
Amongst The Catacombs of Nephren-Ka- so this one does sound a lot like your regular run of the mill death metal albums however, it seems to be on the more technical side. There are some really cool movie samples interspersed throughout the songs. As far as American death metal debuts go, this o e is pretty good. I’ll give this 9/10
Standouts: The Howling Of The Jinn, Barra Edinazzu, Opening Of The Mouth
Black Seeds Of Vengeance- ok so when I was really starting to get into death metal, this was one of the first albums I bought at Amoeba and I must say that it was a good first choice. I actually think I bought it at the same time as Morbid Angel’s Altars Of Madness (another great album). This is also the first album to have Dallas Toler-Wade on vocals and I must say that it’s absolutely badass having him and Karl Sanders both doing vocals. Anyway, what can I say it’s a classic death metal album and definitely an essential listening so I’ll give it 10/10
Standouts: Defiling The Gates Of Ishtar, Multitude Of Foes, Masturbating The War God
In Their Darkened Shrines- ok so again this is one of those albums that could be considered a classic death metal album. It’s certainly a classic Nile album. I will say that you have Morbid Angel’s God Of Emptiness and then you have Nile’s Sarcophagus. Both are slow crushing songs but in my opinion Sarcophagus blows that song out of the water. As for the rest of the album, it’s certainly their darkest one yet but I don’t know I wanted to like this a lot more. It’s a great album but just not quite as strong as Black Seeds of Vengeance. I’ll give it 9.5/10
Standouts: Sarcophagus, Execration Text, Wind Of Horus
Annihilation Of The Wicked- I think when I got this album I had it in my CD player for like a month. It’s that good. Like to me this is Nile at the top of their game. Like when I think of Nile, this album comes to mind. I mean it’s just so technical and brutal. If you are looking for the ultimate technical death metal album, this might be it. This definitely gets a 10/10
Standouts: Cast Down The Heretic, Lashed To The Slave Stick, User Maat Re
Ithyphallic- so I remember during this album cycle, my friends and I were supposed to see these guys at Ozzfest but they went on super early so we caught the last song. This album could be the one that has the longest song title ever which is Papyrus Containing the Spell to Preserve its Possessor Against Attacks from He Who is in the Water. Personally I know a lot of people love this album and I do too. It’s right up there with Annihilation and Black Seeds. I give this one 10/10
Standouts: As He Creates So He Destroys, The Essential Salts, Even The Gods Must Die
Those Whom The Gods Detest- this one actually seems to have a bit of thrash metal sprinkled in with some of the songs. I have heard some say that this one is a little on the thin sounding side but personally I don’t hear it. This is just as good as the others it’s just not as technical maybe as the others. There are a couple slower moments but overall, a great record. I’ll give this one 9.5/10
Standouts: Utterances Of The Crawling Dead, Kafir!, The Eye Of Ra
At The Gate Of Sethu- this one took a couple listens to really appreciate but I must say that this is one of their best. The production on here is really good too and the guitar work also really stands out as well. Definitely check this one out. I’ll give this 9/10
Standouts: The Fiends Who Came To Steal The Magick Of The Deceased, When My Wrath Is Done, The Inevitable Degradation Of Flesh
What Should Not Be Unearthed- some have said that this is Annihilation Of The Wicked part 2 but I don’t hear it. Yes this is a very technical album and it is a very heavy album. It’s definitely got a rawness to it and I actually think Dallas’s vocals are better here than on the last one. And sadly this would be his last album. Great album and I’ll give it 9/10
Standouts: Liber Stellae Rubeae, Rape Of The Black Earth, In The Name Of Amun
Vile Nilotic Rites- when a band replaces a vocalist there is a chance that they won’t be as good as the previous. That’s not the case here. Brian Kingsland actually sounds a lot like Dallas Toler-Wade. Now as far as the album goes, it’s a good album. The songs again are super techy and the brutality is still there. While I don’t think it’s as good as some of their previous albums, this is still a great record so I’ll give this one 8/10
Standouts: The Oxford Handbook of Savage Genocidal Warfare, Snake Pit Mating Frenzy, Where Is The Wrathful Sky
As I have said before, it’s hard to review American death metal bands because they start to all sound the same after awhile. However, bands like Nile are definitely an exception. They definitely have their own thing going with the Egyptian and Lovecraft themes. Also if you haven’t seen them live yet definitely do so because they definitely bring it.
Album Rankings:
- Annihilation Of The Wicked
- Ithyphallic
- Black Seeds Of Vengeance
- Those Whom The Gods Detest
- In Their Darkened Shrines
- At The Gate Of Sethu
- Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka
- What Should Not Be Unearthed
- Vile Nilotic Rites
Sinister Reviews 