Crushing pure death metal
Few within the death metal scene have carved out such a unique niche for themselves such as the likes of (Greenville) South Carolina act Nile. Founded by guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders some twelve years ago, Nile not only set out to become one of the most brutal examples of what death metal was capable of, but also to push beyond the parameters that most work within by incorporating Egyptian/Middle Eastern lyrical themes and musical textures amongst the traditional classic death metal sounds.
Now, after producing three outstanding and highly acclaimed full length releases in a row (1998's Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka, 2000's Black Seeds of Vengeance and 2002's In Their Darkened Shrines), Nile return with their long awaited fourth effort Annihilation of the Wicked. As has been the case in recent years, Nile have once again changed their line up, with new drummer George Kollias (Ex-Nightfall) joining long-time guitarist/vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade and Sanders, and it’s Kollias’ presence that is certainly felt throughout the entire fifty minutes plus on offer.
Nile begin things in a familiar tone with an Eastern instrumental Dusk Falls Upon the Temple of the Serpent on the Mount of Sunrise, which barely lingers for a minute before a cascade of riffs come crashing down for the intense Cast Down the Heretic. With clinical precision (Enhanced by Neil Kernon’s clear and stunning production sound, especially in the drum recordings), Nile practically annihilate with their unique take on crushing pure death metal (Complete with long Slayer-like solos), and in doing so, provide one of the definite stand outs on the album straight away. The shorter Sacrifice Unto Sebek tones down the technical aspect of the bands song writing to it’s base elements (As much as it’s possible for Nile), while the epic nine minute User-Maat-Re draws out proceedings with all the speed of a funeral doom march, with some truly atmospheric lead work in it’s closing moments.
In quick succession, Nile demonstrate their ungodly ability at producing incredible speed (Especially in Kollias’ case) in The Burning Pits Of The Duat, the lengthy title track Annihilation of the Wicked and the ridiculously lengthy (In title only) Chapter of Obeisance Before Giving Breath to the Inert One in the Presence of the Cresent Shaped Horns, while the controversial Lashed to the Slave Stick (The track Nile allowed as a download taster for fans) is a surprisingly uncharacteristic melodic approach by the band, and not indicative of the album as such. As you can probably tell, there’s been a conscious effort on Nile’s behalf to tone down the tradition Egyptian elements on the latest album, with only two short instrumentals (The opener and Spawn of Uamenti) infiltrating the greater relentless death metal approach by the band this time around, but that’s not to say that they’re entirely absent from the songs themselves, as the parting multi faceted epic Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten (Translated as Of Unspeakable Cults) sees a drifting of various elements throughout it’s lengthy run.
Once again, Nile have placed themselves in a position few stand within the death metal genre as Annihilation Of The Wicked represents their fourth extraordinary release in a row. Annihilation of the Wicked isn’t so much a bold departure from previous Nile releases, but where this album works over their past efforts (In particular 2002's In Their Darkened Shrines) is Kernon’s impeccable production, Kollias’ equally impressive super human talents behind the drums and Nile’s overall retained consistency. Needless to say, if you understood and appreciated Nile's self described 'Itylphallical Death Metal’ in the past, Annihilation of the Wicked certainly doesn’t disappoint one bit.
(Relapse Records/Riot! Distributors)
