ITP V.012 REVIEW: NILE: AT THE GATE OF SETHU

BAND: NILE (SOUTH CAROLINA, USA) GENRE: DEATH METAL LABEL: NUCLEAR BLAST                                                                                                              RELEASE DATE: 6/29/2012

PREVIOUS RELEASES (CATALOG) : AMONGST THE CATACOMBS OF NEPHREN-KA (1998-RELAPSE RECORDS), BLACK SEEDS OF VENGEANCE (2000-RELAPSE RECORDS), IN THEIR DARKENED SHRINES (2002-RELAPSE RECORDS), ANNIHILATION OF THE

WICKED (2005-RELAPSE RECORDS), ITHYPHALLIC (2007-NUCLEAR BLAST),THOSE WHOM THE GODS DETEST (2009-NUCLEAR BLAST), MAKING THINGS THAT GODS DETEST

DVD-2010-SELF RELEASED)

ALSO: FESTIVALS OF ATONEMENT (1995-ANUBIS RECORDS), RAMSES BRINGER OF WAR (DEMO-1997-ANUBIS RECORDS), IN THE BEGINNING (RE- ISSUE OF FESTIVALS OF ATONEMENT and RAMSES BRINGER OF WAR-2000-RELAPSE RECORDS), LEGACY OF THE CATACOMBS (2007-RELAPSE RECORDS CD/DVD COMPILATION), 

BEST RELEASE (S): BLACK SEEDS OF VENGEANCE (2000), AMONGST THE CATACOMBS OF NEPHREN- KA (1998), IN THEIR DARKENED SHRINES (2002)

TRACKLISTING : NILE: AT THE GATE OF SETHU:

1. Enduring the Eternal Molestation of Flame
2. The Fiends Who Come to Steal the Magick of the Deceased
3. The Inevitable Degradation of Flesh
4. When My Wrath is Done
5. Slaves of Xul
6. The Gods Who Light Up the Sky at the Gate of Sethu
7. Natural Liberation of Fear Through the Ritual Deception of Death
8. Ethno-Musicological Cannibalisms
9. Tribunal of the Dead
10. Supreme Humanism of Megalomania
11. The Chaining of the Iniquitous
Bonus:
12. Enduring the Eternal Molestation of Flame (Instrumental)
13. The Inevitable Degradation of Flesh (Instrumental)




ITP V.09 REVIEW NILE: THOSE WHOM THE GODS DETEST: 
http://spak-individualthoughtpatterns.blogspot.com/2009/11/itp-review-nile-those-whom-gods-detest.html

ITP RATING: ***

PRODUCTION: *** 

SONGWRITING: *** 

PERFORMANCE: *** 1/2

South Carolina, USA technical death metal warlords NILE have brought a unique brand of Egyptology to the masses. NILE, hailed as the saviors of 21st century death metal, have never sacrificed the bands integrity nor their talented musicianship for trends. The stories of the Pharaohs are intriguing and speak deep with in the human soul as NILE animate middle Eastern history with the bands unique brand of brutal technical death metal.

The first three NILE releases were a revelation in death metal, unique and refreshing with an Egyptian lyrical theme in contrast to cookie cutter gore death metal, good use of Middle Eastern musical samples, shredding solos and variety of organic ethno-musical instrumentation and dynamics.

NILE employ Middle Eastern musical atmospheres, and a monopoly of great drummers.

NILE expand the lyrical aesthetic of MORBID ANGEL, into Middle Eastern musical diversity deep into the musical dynamics of the Catacombs, with enough speed and brutality to make the Pharaohs proud.

Here at ITP V.012 we have NILE's latest release "At The Gate of Sethu", both a metal heads and archeologists wet dream. 

NILE's "At The Gate of Sethu" kicks off with the track "Enduring The Eternal Molestation Of The Flame", as the Catacombs scream in terror, NILE blast into a generic mid paced oblivion. "Enduring The Eternal Molestation Of The Flame" features an understated riff (:36 and 1:57) consolidated by typical NILE blasts and for variety some slower/doomy breakdowns. NILE's "Enduring The Eternal Molestation Of The Flame" invokes a classic, doomier lead riff (3:53), understated,  underrated and tastefully done.

NILE's "The Fiends Whom Come to Steal the Magick Of The Deceased", features pronounced, technical riffage and a perfectly timed acoustic rhythm break (:37) as NILE blast out the mummies from the Catacombs with awesome, brutal riffage, and as always GEORGE KOLIAS's amazing drumming. NILE employ a clean vocal chorus ("I will erase you") for an awesome melodic dynamic. NILE thrash out, albeit a little sloppier than usual as a pompous chorus echos from Egyptian Gods "I am Re".

NILE's "The Inevitable Degradation Of Flesh", features NILE lead guitarist DALLAS's vocals exclusively and this tune smokes. NILE's "The Inevitable Degradation Of Flesh" blasts into an intense synergy as NILE go balls out on some shred (1:43) courtesy of KARL SANDERS AND DALLAS TOLER-WADE and another stellar performance from drummer GEORGE KOLIAS.

NILE's "The Inevitable Degradation Of Flesh" splits for a mid paced melodic break with some quality thrash/brutality, enough to break a neck from head spinning/and banging (5:02).One must drool at the quality twin guitar interplay via KARL SANDERS AND DALLAS TOLER-WADE as to only be expected, this is natural for them.

NILE's "When My Wrath Is Done", is the shortest tune on "At The Gate of Sethu", featuring a short Middle Eastern acoustic interlude intro. NILE's "When My Wrath Is Done" treads the path's of sludgy waters as just as you thought the song would SUCK..NILE swims to the surface and morphs "When My Wrath Is Done" from symphonic sludge to compelling shred.

NILE'S "Slaves of Xul" invokes sick vocal modulations and segues into awesome and compelling middle Eastern instrumental percussion reminiscent of KARL SANDER's solo efforts. You can hear the whips lashing the slaves. BELLY DANCERS get on the floor!!!!

NILE's "The Gods Who Light Up the Sky At The Gate Of Sethu" (title track of sorts) invokes ultimate technical shred, with enough time changes, blast beats riffs and overall shred to feast on for ages.  NILE's "The Gods Who Light Up the Sky At The Gate Of Sethu" features specifically diverse rhythm guitar as to a diametrically opposed lead guitar shred set to KOLIAS's sick blastbeats for a brutal slug fest. Now you can now wipe the sand from your face, NILE just wiped the floor with everything.   

NILE's "Natural Liberation Of Fear Through The Ritual Deception Of Death" is more trademark brutality, as this ritual will be sure to awaken the Mummies from the Catacombs as bloody thirsty warriors march through the desert.

NILE's instrumental "Ethno Musicological Cannibalism's" features Middle Eastern percussion over ethno/acoustic guitar. NILE's "Ethno Musicological Cannibalism's",   over driven with the rhythm percussion and shallow Middle Eastern acoustic shred is simply a noble idea, and a weak, shallow breathier in between the brutality of this release.

NILE's "Tribunal Of The Dead" kicks off with an ominous intro transitioning into  slower, doomier and powerful riffing. NILE guitarist/vocalist Dallas Toler Wade kicks in with screamed and spoken word vocals as NILE propel into some sick blast beats, pure brutality for the sake of it.
NILE's "Tribunal Of The Dead" continues with segues of mid paced to fast paced brutality, although I can't help to think that the tune would be better off with KARK SANDERS death vox to accentuate the songs brutal potential.

NILE's "Supreme Humanism of Megalomania" features lighter tuned guitars, sounding thin with a weaker production and good, over triggered drumming.
However, NILE's "Supreme Humanism of Megalomania" features enough speed to illicit a good mosh pit.

NILE's "At The Gate Of Sethu" closes with the track "The Chaining Of the Iniquitous", opening with an ominous violin into completely boring sludgy riffing.
NILE's "The Chaining Of the Iniquitous" continues on with a bland blend of mid paced sludge and thrash as from here you can press the snooze button.

NILE can't please everyone. After NILE's first three releases were hailed and garnered excellent reviews, elitist metal heads criticized the band for being to gimmicky on the Egyptian samples. NILE, taking criticism to heart, unleashed "Annihilation of the Wicked" (2005), sans samples, wiping the floor with pure Egyptian technical death metal brutality. NILE treaded waters and induced boredom with "ITYPHALLIC" (2007) and then returned to form with "Those Whom The Gods Detest" (2009).

While NILE's "At The Gate Of Sethu" can NOT be accused of overly gimmicky samples, the production on this release is lacking, sounding muddy and inconsistent. Ya gotta feel for NILE's drummer George Kolias. While KOLIAS pulls off another excellent performance,  NILE's over all mix for "At The Gate Of Sethu" over power KOLIAS drum performance for guitars as NILE are a three piece nowadays anyway, what bass? Yes, it is strange to complain about a NEIL KERNON mix, as the man is reliable behind the knobs, as a more "necro" production is perhaps what NILE were looking for.

Also, I would prefer minimizing DALLAS TOLER WADE's (guitar) shouted vocals for KARL SANDERS (guitar) guttural death vox as here is where NILE miss (former bassists)  either Chief Spires or Jon Vesano. I'm assuming NILE have intentionally tested new waters with some clean and screamed vocals, giving TOLER WADE the spotlight, highlighting "cleaner" vocals.
Lastly, NILE are lacking cohesive songwriting and the diversity of musical instrumentation (or samples) of previous releases. NILE often stretch the limits
with amalgamation of acoustic breaks and quality songwriting segued into brutal technical death metal, none of that evidenced on "AT THE GATE OF SETHU".

"GATES OF SETHU" intrigues with in parts, a few tunes of technical awe inspiring brutality and NILE's obviously stellar musicianship.

NILE are an ingenious concept, well executed with stunning musicianship and a well researched Mesopotamian cultural perspective, the liner/lyric notes are enough to inspire those with a fair weather interest in Archaeology.

Otherwise, a release sounding like it was recorded in 200 BC and found buried  (as an artifact) beneath the sands of Mesopotamia just doesn't cut it, specifically for the mighty and epic NILE.

ITP RATING: ***

PRODUCTION: *** 

SONGWRITING: *** 

PERFORMANCE: *** 1/2

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-