Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines
Nile is a known brutal death metal band that carries the lyrical theme of Egyption mythology, which is a very interesting thing about the band. Of course, you can't tell exactly what they are saying, so if you have the lyric booklet at hand, you get to learn a lot of stuff. :eek: [/lame]
Nile formed in 1993, and are currently signed with Relapse Records. The current line-up is made up of:
Karl Sanders Guitar, Vocals
Dallas Toler Wade - Guitar, Vocals
Jon Vesano - Bass, Vocals
Tony Laureano - Drums
These men create the brutal, deadly sound of Nile that we all love.
The Review
1. The Blessed Dead: This album starts out heavy, and ends heavy. It starts with a black-metalish intro, and quickly turns to blastbeats and quick guitar riffs. The vocals on this song are some of my favorite. They blend extremely well with the music. You can definately sense some Egyptian roots in this music. 5/5
2. Execration Text: This song starts out extremely fast, just like typical Nile, and doesn't stop. The first riff is very fast, and well written. The first solo is slower at first, nothing complicated, but then it changes into another Egyptian based riff/solo. These type of songs (almost every song on this album is this way) are very hard to review, because the riffs change so often. Either way, I give this song 4/5
3. Sarcophagus: Starts out a bit slower, again, sensing the egyptian style. Even the drums have a bit of an influence. I love the first riff in this song. It is slower (for Nile that is) and the growls are haunting. I love how the vocalist can actually pronounce his words. (even though they aren't completely clear) Good song. 4/5
4. Kheftiu Asar Butchiu: This song starts off extremely fast with blastbeats, and badass fills by the drummer. I love the chorus in this song when the vocalist(s) are growling something...I can't tell what it is, not even with the lyric book :( but it sounds like "from". They say it quite a few times. Ah, I love the solo in this song. Technical, and blends well. Great song. 5/5
5. Unas Slayer of Gods: This song...wow. This seems to be one of the main highlights of the album. Starts off with haunting, Egyptian sounding acoustic guitars, and then the gong. At 39 seconds, it takes off. Brutally fast. Nice guitar riff, really fast double bass, and then the chorus (guitars), which is my favorite part. This song is extremely interesting also, especially the lyrics. Very well written lyrics. You seriously start to believe that this band worships Unas in real life. Best part, at 9:15. you guys know the part. When the man is worshipping Unas. 5/5
6. Churning the Maelstrom: Starts out heavy (again) Same drumming as a few other songs, but with very well done accents on certain parts. The vocals are extremely well done (as always) and this is another good Nile song. Every song on this album appeals to me in some way. 4/5
7. I Whisper In the Ear of the Dead: Starts off with a reverse gong (?) and then goes fast, but only in 4/4 (or 2/4 maybe :( ) time on drums, which gives a nice effect. More gongs. Then the weird vocals. Sounds like a raspy-voiced slave, almost. The whole song is a bit different, and ambient, but I like it. 4/5
8. Wind of Horus: Very nice cymbal usage at the beginning, along with a nice guitar intro/riff. The drumming is more Egyptian-based in this intro. I love the opening riff in this song. I think it would sound better without the blastbeat (but they wouldn't be Nile without it) which is the only bad part about this song. The vocals and guitars are amazing though, so it makes up for it. But since blastbeats are a minor detail compared to guitar and vocals (in death metal that is), I will give this song a 4.5/5
In Their Darkened Shrines
I. Hall of Saurian Entombment: Very ambient, Egyptian-like intro, with a sound that sounds a bit like a swinging swing. :eek: Then the drums come in. :eek: The snare and bass, along with some instrument that I have never heard before. The whole song is very different, but I've always been a fan of it. 4/5
II. Envocation to Seditious Heresy: This song is where the vocals come in, while the snare and bass is still going, with vocals in the background. This song is EPIC. When this song starts to get heavy, the guitars are amazing. Some of my favorite riffs. And the drummers blast beats with combination with his cymbals is great also. The vocals are amazing in this album, like always, but somehow more impressive. The solo is typical, but always great. 5/5
III. Destruction of the Temples of the Enemies of Ra: Starts out with an ambient, dark wind/voice type thing. And typical Nile chanting vocals, but played backwards? Then the gong. And from there, amazing drumming fades in, with yelling background voices. Then the vocals, and guitar come in, which is nothing short of brilliant. Another great song/section of In Their Darkened Shrines. 4.5/5
IV. Ruins: The final part of the masterpiece. Starts out with Egyptian-based guitar riffs (surprising) Repeats the same thing for a while, until 2:03, which is an amazing part of this song. Very melodic sounding (just the guitar) mixed with double bass. Then it goes back to the original riff, with a slow guitar solo mixed into the background. Which basically makes the part, making an amazing ending on this brilliant album.
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
In Their Darkened Shrines is one of my favorite death metal albums I own. I suggest you buy/download it if you are into this kind of stuff. Also makes great gifts for relatives. *lies*
Hope you enjoyed my review.
-Mekk
