Disco de Nile: “Annilhilation of the Wicked [Digipak]”

While I thought 'in their darkened shrines' was a good cd, I was beginning to think Nile was running out of ideas. 'Annihilation of the Wicked' proved me wrong! It's definitely still Nile, with winding, complex riffs and long patches of non-stop blasting on the drums. Still got the 9 minute songs with names too long to repeat here.

But, I think the two things emphasized on this disc more than before are: much more rhythmic variety in the riffs, and more parts with two or more simultaneous guitar lines. Both of these make Annihilation sound fresh, and not a rehash of the older material. And it works well, because changing their melodic style would detract from the egyptian theme they still use.

Also, I was pleased to see extensive research behind the song material described in the liner notes. This time you not only get the egyptology stuff, but also some anecdotes about the songwriting process, in places. Nile has done this since Black Seeds of Vengeance, and it's always been a nice bonus when you buy one of their discs.

Relapse is home to some truly great and innovative bands such as Neurosis, Dillinger Escape Plan, Today is the Day, and of course Nile. This is my first encounter with Nile, the first CD i've bought of theirs. And i can tell you that it won't be my last. Absolutely crushing Death Metal at it's best is one way to describe Nile. But another way to describe them is to say that for most of the Death Metal bands out there, they are possibly one of the most interesting. Filled with lyrics that speak about all sorts of Egyptian culture, launching into hyper-fast drum rhythms and riffs which at times slow down to brutal headbanging riffs, vocals that put some other Death Metal vocalists to shame and of course some awesome solos as well..Nile aren't just another 'typical' Death Metal band at all. In fact, they're quite different and very awesome.

The first track on this CD i expected to be an immediate blast of mega-fast drumbeats and shredding riffs..but no. It's actually a 51 second Instrumental that gives you the feel of what Nile's lyrical content is about. The track is pretty dark and ambient which then leads into, "Cast Down The Heretic", which explodes onto your speakers. Starting at mega-fast speed, at about the halfway mark a great seemingly neverending solo begins, taking you on a pure Death Metal journey. "Cast Down The Heretic" is a great opener, giving you an idea of what you're in for while still being unpredictable in it's own way.

Such songs on this great album as "User-Maat-Re", the brutally awesome "Annihilation of the Wicked" and the final track "Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten", all go above the 8 minute mark. Adding to all the intensity in Nile's music is all of the excellent solos they incorporate into their songs. Some of the solos are just classic, and at times are played at mega-speed which just goes to show how talented Nile are. Providing heavy riffs on top of hyper-fast drumming, all the while producing some very memorable melodies that you'll want to come back and listen to time and time again. This CD probably won't leave your CD Player for at least a week, it's that good. Also, this CD has some great art-work, and the lyrics are extremely long and pretty interesting for anyone interested in reading them.

Overall, as i've said..this a brutal CD from start to finish. Although at times it dips into the Instrumental and even atmospheric, it always launches back into the trademark sound of crushing brutality that just leaves you in awe. My personal favorite song on here is "Annihilation of the Wicked", but really every song is great. This is obviously recommended to all Nile fans, new or old, and also to Suffocation, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse and Vader fans as well. I think all fans of Death Metal will enjoy this release just as much as i have.

I was first introduced to Nile a couple of years ago, when browsing in a local record store. I had grown up listening to metal and being interested in ancient history, and one of the first bands which I found compelling was Iron Maiden, because of their intelligence and the historical themes found in the lyrics, combined with the heavy guitars and screaming vocals. I remember when IM's "Powerslave" came out, and I was just amazed at how cool the cover art was, and how interesting ancient Egypt could be in a metal album context. Then comes Nile, twenty years later, with the logical culmination of that concept, which could have been an unconvincing failure in the hands of a less capable band-but succeeds far beyond my expectations.

Nile, headed by frontman Karl Sanders, is an historically-themed death metal band, who are not only unbelievably heavy and intense, but also intelligent, well-researched, and articulate. The overall packaging and art design is also extremely well-done; making the booklet accompanying the album a feast on the eyes. Lurid, colorful and evocative artwork and copious historical notes and references accompany each song's lyrics, making this an engaging and informative experience....seriously, Karl Sanders could have been an egyptologist in another life. I look forward to reading the liner notes of a new Nile release almost as much as the music.

And what of the music? Well, I am no neophyte to death metal, but Nile are so fast and intense at times that even I was taken aback at first. Nile albums are really conceptual pieces that require you to engage them and listen to the album all the way through, and when it finally clicks...wow! Nile albums are full of technical, super heavy and dark death metal songs interspersed with moody, serene tracks performed on ancient Egyptian instruments and layered with eerie sound effects. The drums, in particular, are simply amazing, and the guitar is alternately a whirling tornado of machine-gun speed or a slow, ponderous din of dirge-like minor riffing that simply crushes. They really draw you in to a dark, ancient world of vengeful gods and exotic ritual mysticism. It's quite an experience.

I simply cannot recommend Nile enough to any fan of heavy, intelligent and original music. I own all of their albums, and they are all good, but this latest release is probably the best place to start....I look forward to a new Nile release in '07.

Nile have to be one of my favorite death metal bands out there. I don't care about the hype, and I'm not one to hold a band's success against them. Nile have continued to hone their skill and perfect their trade. I haven't heard 'Ithyphallic' yet, but from what I read about it, it sounds like Nile may have reached their peak on 'Annihilation of the Wicked'.

This album is just so brutal and so tightly-executed that I want to cry when I listen to it. George Kollias' drumming is second to none - and his foot work blows my mind. You could slam Nile for not really differentiating their sound much, or argue that there isn't much variety on this album - but, why would you? If you feel that way, then I don't think you get the point. There isn't much that I would change about this album. When I want uncompromising brutality, I look to 'Annihilation of the Wicked'.

Compared to previous Nile offerings, the first thing that has to be said is that the production on this album is phenomenal. I actually find it hard to listen to 'In Their Darkened Shrines' now, because it sounds so muddy. I also think the drumming is much better on this album. To be honest, I thought that 'In Their Darkened Shrines' was a step back as far as drumming goes - especially compared to the incredible drum-work provided by Derek Roddy on 'Black Seeds of Vengeance'.

Ultimately, this is brutal death metal at it's most brutal and technical, with quality production that does it justice. I can't honestly see any reason why any death metal fan would have a complaint against this album, but that's just me.

First off all, Fred Dursts Numba one fan is and idiot once again, and a poseur. Niles lyrics aren't breaking up in Egyptian at all. There about the gods, and how they put people to death. Second, the drumming and guitar work is absolutely crushing! Its some of the fastest I've ever heard. Karl Sanders has incrediable solos Especially on "Cast Down the Herectic" my favorite song on the albums. Third, Karl Sanders has one of the best voices in Death Metal today. Fourth, I like the experimintation with the midi-guitar, its sounds amazing and Sophisticated (a word that is not often used to to describe death metal). fith, Nile totally s**t all over Nile. This by far one of the best releases that we will see all year. SFU you were pretty good, but I highly recommend this and see as an Esstenial to get this year. The only better death metal release I can think of this year is Hate Eternal "I, Monarch" which I also highly recommend.