Artist: Nile
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: 9/5/00
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Title: Black Seeds of Vengeance Artist: Nile Label: Relapse Records Release Date: 9/5/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
After only one full-length album Nile already has quite a reputation as a band that pushes the boundaries of Death Metal. Their last album, Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka, was critically acclaimed for its incorporation of Egyptian themes and lyrics, and its broad scope made these relative newcomers a force to reckon with right out of the gate. In a world where there is just so much underground metal around, Nile slashed their own little niche with brutality and originality. One would think that topping a debut like that would be a daunting task, but these guys seem up to the challenge.
Black Seeds of Vengeance continues on the exploratory path taken on the first album, and multiplies it tenfold. Their North African influences take a much more central part on this album, but the music is equally brutal. Nile bring a broad range of tempos, changes, riffs, and rhythms that keep this album from getting boring. A good deal of native instruments are utilized, and weave themselves into the metal to create a sonic canvas. This album is so ambitious it actually makes their last album seem straightforward, if you can believe that. If this album were art it be one big sprawling hieroglyphic.
"If this album were art it be one big sprawling hieroglyphic." The songs on this album seem meticulously crafted, and all are successful. For all of their experimentation and ambition, these guys won't lose any fans to wussing out, either. The songs are still brutally heavy, and the chants and Egyptian themes result in a creepy aura that makes the album sound that much more evil. I don't know if the Egyptian music on this disc is authentic or crap, I just know I like it. Of course, the only Egyptian music I know well enough for comparison is Steve Martin's "King Tut" and that damn Bangles song.
The songs really stand out with my early faves being the title track and "Masturbating the War God", the latter seems like it is intended to be the focal point of the album (and what a focal point it is). I guess if I have one complaint it's that maybe their ambition may have stretched them a little too thin. By that I mean that there are some long atmospheric pauses with little going on, and at times they seem a little dragged out, but it's only a minor nuisance. This album is meant to be enjoyed as whole, from start to finish, and that's what I suggest y'all do.
"I don't know if the Egyptian music on this disc is authentic or crap, I just know I like it."
Rating Revised for Metal Judgment Anniversary
Death's Review:
By the time the book is fully written on Black Seeds, Nile will have pretty much achieved what will almost have to be universally regarded as state-of-the-art death metal. There is a magic, which emerges from the record, like at the end of the title track, which effectively opens the record. "Black!" "Seeds!" "Of Vengeance!" Over and over in a hypnotic trance. Played to a sick slow riff, and bathed in ominously splendorous keys for emphasis. Or the almost tribal "Nas Akhu Khan she en Asbiu." You won't be able to say that one ten times fast, but you will love every last riff in there. And trust me, there are many.
"There is a magic, which emerges from the record." Nile are technical as shit, and can keep up with Cryptopsy and the like. But they also bring a Morbid Angel-like artistry to the otherwise pure death metal art. "To Dream of Ur" is one of the heaviest things I've heard this year, yet it retains incredible depth. Everything is quality, the entire presentation is part of the package. From the expected cool color-scheme and Egyptian feel to the cover art, down to the heartfelt one-paragraph-per-song analysis of each track on the record penned by Karl Sanders for the liner notes. Every detail screams quality and effort.
Nile's most outstanding features, aside from the Egyptian themes, are the fantastic drumming, tight, dual-guitar tremolo picking, and lightning-speed double-bass drumming ("Masturbating the War God" is the perfect example of this!). All are present and prominent on Black Seeds. Cannibal Corpse wishes they were writing riffs like some of those in "Masturbating." The most fucked up part about the song? One progression is directly ripped off from Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffitti album (either that's "Kashmir" or they are both just derivative of the same middle-eastern tune). This layered, multidimensional feel separates Nile from the rest of the death metal pack.
"This will be on many people's top ten of 2000 list come year's end." You want technical? Try "Multitude of Foes." Want a cool song title (killer solo too)? Try "Chapter for Transforming Into a Snake." From the production to the album cover, Nile really do have all of the '00 death metal bases covered. This will be on many people's top ten of 2000 list come year's end.
Hel's Review:
As a general rule, I like death metal based around ancient Egyptian lore. Well, the only band I really know of that does this is Nile, but damn, they are good at it. Look no further than the title track, "Black Seeds of Vengeance" to find a song that epitomizes their unique style.
I had eagerly awaited this release. Could it live up to my expectations? At first listen I wondered, was it living up to my expectations? I have listened many more times since then, a mere day ago, and have determined that I simply needed time to understand what I was hearing. I understand now, it sounds utterly phenomenal. And there are no longer any questions.
"There's really only one end result from submerging yourself in Black Seeds of Vengeance. You'll come out on the other side loving this album." The true icing on the cake - the "extras" I got along with it, which I have to assume will be part of the booklet in the "real" version. Oftentimes, receiving the advance copy from the label is a ripoff to my inner fan. There is rarely a book, and the 1 page bio you get instead just doesn't compensate well enough. So to find all the lyrics to every song AND an accompanying paragraph narrative for every song... Wow.
There is so much, I simply can't read it all by "presstime". But I can tell you this, I read one short paragraph and started being sucked in more deeply. That Egyptian shit is EVIL. And the truth and history of it make it far more menacing than mutilated puppies or whatnot could ever try to be.
There's really only one end result from submerging yourself in Black Seeds of Vengeance. You'll come out on the other side loving this album. Whether or not you choose to foray into embracing the ancient mythology, the mood and music are incomparable.
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