Here comes the release at the top of the death camp docket for 2007. Egyptian necro’s Nile, have once again cooked up a set of impressive tunes for our ears to bleed over. The only thing more stunning to me than Sander’s and companies talent, is the fact that they manage to finagle their way around being too cheesy.

It’s obvious at this point to conscious metal fans that Nile is going to continue to deliver what they are good at and satisfy longtime fans. Unless they start singing clean choruses about their ex-wives and playing three chord structures. Karl is still on top of his game when it comes to all that is Anthropologic in the lyrics. Mainly focusing on Tyson’s Necronomicon, all ten opus’s deal with Cthulhu, Azagthoth, curses, and spells to beat the band. Being my first actual listen completely through a Nile record I am quite befuddled at the ancient wisdom that Mr. Sanders holds in his mortal mind. There is no question that he is one of the most intelligent songwriters in metal and all should bow before him in awe rather you like his music or not. Just to give you a sense of how awesome the content of the lyrics are, the song “Papyri Containing the Spell to Protect the Possessor From Attacks From He Who Is in the Water”, is from the book of Overthrowing Apep and it’s a spell to keep crocodiles from attacking your boat. Now that’s some interesting shit. WTF? Imagine if you introduced this bands concept to a non-metal knowing person.

Musically the trio’s attack is more brutal than ever. Middle Eastern melodies flourish this record just like the back catalogue, and Sander’s virtuosity is nothing less than spectacular. Sanders recently stated in Decibel Magazine, “solo’s should have a purpose dramatically”. Honestly, everything the band throws out is dramatic and intense. Along with Behemoth’s new release, Ithyphallic is homage to Morbid Angel and a true death metal sensibility.

The main difference in this record isn’t style or change necessarily, but the accessibility of the tunes verses later works. This is as I said my first “real” Nile experience, and that is mainly because of how ridiculously outlandish the music was before. There is a strong sense of structure over the chaotic pummeling of drumbeats and riffs. This is something I feel has happened over the years as Nile grows and has grasped good writing. Basically becoming even more of an unstoppable beast with a monster record label by their side, Nuclear Blast.

We all know Nile and what they are capable of. If you don’t then you are missing in action. Ithyphallic isn’t re-inventing death metal or anything, its really just doing the same number with a few more kicks. There isn’t a whole lot that changes from record to record with these guys except lyrical content and subject matter dealt with in each composition. However, Nile has learned to structure more and make their music more accessible to a wider range of audience. Which in itself is an awesome accomplishment for such a talented act. Ithyphallic is still miles above the rest in the genre. The only thing it’s contending with is itself.

By Shane Wolfensberger

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments