What is the most ferocious genre of Heavy Metal out there? Well, Brutal Death Metal of course – a style which combines heaviness, speed, and complex rhythms. Made famous by such bands as Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation, one band who has been exemplifying both Brutal and Technical Death Metal sub-genres with top craft since the early ’90s in their own unique way is Nile. Originating in South Carolina, Nile has produced album after album of unique Metal music with themes ranging from Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern mysticism, to history and religion. Always led by Karl Sanders, the band returns on Friday, November 1st, 2019 with their ninth studio album, Vile Nilotic Rites, via Nuclear Blast Records.
With the common denominator of Sanders holding down the essence of all that is Nile, joining him this go around are George Kollias on drums, Brad Parris on bass, along with newest member Brian Kingsland on vocals/guitar. Not the first time the band has welcomed in the addition of other vocalists, you could imagine most fans are quite open-minded towards the idea of Kingsland joining the ranks. Still, if you are not sold, have no fear because Vile Nilotic Rites starts at one hundred pounds and finishes at one thousand pounds of pressure on the scale of heaviness.
This factor in mind, there is much to be thankful for in terms of song creativity on this long awaited follow-up to 2015’s What Should Not Be Unearthed, yet still, overall it has a slightly different vibe then previous works. Sure, the same subject matter stemming around ancient Egyptian philosophies remains, and that evil growling effect still dominates between blast beats. However, it seems there is a slightly different tonal depth to the songs which is either a plus, or a bit confusing to some fans who are used to the typical Nile sound.
Eleven songs in total, “Long Shadows Of Dread” launches the album with a slithering journey into a hell that awaits with open arms. Adding in another layer of brutal vocals from Kingsland, the lengthy titled “The Oxford Handbook Of Savage Genocidal Warfare” rips a new hole in the earth in a fast and fun way. This is before the title cut takes a more Technical Death styled approach, sporadically taking a stab at the souls of all who listen. With plenty more to come, the energy levels continue to rise with an eerily sinister beginning to “That Which Is Forbidden,” taking the album back to Nile’s roots.
Now, if you found “The Oxford Handbook Of Savage Genocidal Warfare” to be a mouth full, there is more yet to come. You see one of the fun aspects of Death Metal is that song titles can get pretty amusing in a brutal sort of way, and since Nile specializes in themed music, they accelerate in this area. For example, “Snake Pit Mating Frenzy” and “Revel In Their Suffering” are just as entertaining as their titles imply. This while moving towards the latter end of the spectrum there is the cultural interlude of “Thus Sayeth The Parasites Of The Mind” coming into the mix at just short of a minute and a half. This is before the most epic eight minute adventure of “The Imperishable Stars Are Sickened” shines light on a darkened escape into the abyss. Finalizing it all, “We Are Cursed” attacks with a technically savage structure, featuring insanely intelligent drumming, matched with un-sterilized riffs.
To this day, Nile is one of those bands that completely encompasses and warps the mind upon – whether it be in a live or through a studio album. Although, times and members have changed a little since What Should Not Be Unearthed, you can rest assured that Nile is back as strong as ever with new mind bending tales to tell of ancient spiritual times. For a valiant effort and brutal delivery, Cryptic Rock gives Vile Nilotic Rites 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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