Artist: Nile
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: 5/24/05
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Title: Annihilation of the Wicked Artist: Nile Label: Relapse Records Release Date: 5/24/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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4 | ||
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4 | ||
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5 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
I felt Nile's last album, In Their Darkest Shrines, was the band's strongest effort to date, and I was a little surprised when I witnessed a considerable backlash against the band gaining some traction. Speedfreaks or not, Nile have always incorporated enough diverse sounds to keep their material interesting, and their technical ability is hard to deny. Still, many people began accusations of wankery, and I was curious to see in what direction the band would choose to go.
"One word review: Raging To The Point Of Blashpemy In The Damp Depths Of The Dark Waters Of The River Beholden to Ra." This new album is just as technically stimulating as anything else the band has ever done, but the periphery has become more focused. While the songs are very long and drawn out, there seems to be less actual Egyptian 'filler' than there was on the last few records. The theme is still there, it's just that there are fewer, and shorter, passages of atmospheric Middle Eastern instruments. This makes for an easier listen, as the thematic elements are still present, without all of the pomp.
If there is a problem with this album it's that it starts off a little slowly, quality-wise, that is. It wouldn't be Nile if many of the riffs weren't played with breakneck speed, but anyone with a basic understanding of musicianship will notice that there is a lot of interesting stuff going on amongst the catacombs of the blastbeats. The album starts hitting its stride a few songs in, and it ends much stronger than it begins. "Lashed To The Slave Stick" and the title track really get the blood pumping, and are examples of some of the highest quality brutal death metal to come out this year.
There are other great songs, but I don't want to list them because I don't have the space. Why they chose some titles like "Chapter Of Obeisance Before Giving Breath To The Inert One In The Presence Of The Crescent Shaped Horns" (I think they forgot to add: In E Minor) I'll never know. Nile remain both a brutal and cerebral band, and fans will eat this record up. One word review: Raging To The Point Of Blashpemy In The Damp Depths Of The Dark Waters Of The River Beholden to Ra.
Death's Review:
Nile is back and all fired up, ready to take the American death metal scene by storm once again. Karl Sanders has the more experimental side of his playing out of his system with the recent solo record, and so here we find Nile with a new measure of more focused death metal brutality. The result is a slightly more accessible album while retaining the trademark Nile extremity and epic songwriting scope. One of the primary reasons for this is the world-class Neil Kernon production (Queensryche, Nevermore), who is really starting to make his mark in the death metal underground as well. All in all, Annihilation of the Wicked is a total package, truly deserving of the Nile name. The recent tour with King Diamond brought the band around to the usual clubs (and it looks like people are taking note, as the band recently hit number one on the CMJ Loud Rock chart), now we need to see them expand their audience with a larger summer tour and music video for the new record. While I'm not in love with the new artwork (good, but I kinda expected something truly "next-level" from a band where imagery is this important - like the old Iron Maiden album covers like Live After Death where the unveiling of the artwork was an event in an of itself), I do love the cool Ultra Limited Edition Collector's Sarcophagus package, which includes exclusive Nile "artifacts" such as a custom Serpent-Ankh necklace, full color album poster, vinyl sticker and embroidered patch. Now that's the type of packaging this band should be putting out. Collectors rejoice!
"All in all, Annihilation of the Wicked is a total package, truly deserving of the Nile name."
Hel's Review:
Yes, yes...a thousand times...yes! I am a sucker for Nile’s Egyptological blend of death metal misery. Nile seems to be a band that fosters either affection or revulsion. You get them or you don’t. Never does there seem to be a person on the fence, or if they are, they choose a side before too long. Why do they inspire such fierce loyalty as well as such fierce distain? Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you have to admire heat with which the controversy is argued.
"Annihilation of the Wicked is a superior death metal album." And it won’t end here. I’ve found myself enjoying Annihilation of the Wicked more with each listen, and envision myself continuing to return this disc to the player with carpal tunnel syndrome inducing frequency. Because I love it, I know there will be a yin to my yang, and someone out there will hate it with equal fervor. Why? I do not know, but the fact remains.
So from my perspective, Annihilation of the Wicked is a superior death metal album. Written and performed with skill equal to that of the production - which is utterly beautiful. The deep, bowel shaking rumbles, blistering fretwork and triple-growl attack are all intact, fulfilling the basic requirements for utter devastation. Don’t be surprised if this one turns up on my year-end list.
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