Customer Reviews

Annihilation of the Wicked

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I must first admit the fact that I was not impressed the first time I heard this album. I gave it a little time and patience and boy am I glad that I did! This album grew on me like no other. It's very clear to see upon your first listen that this is brutal, relentless death metal at it's finest. The vocals are a force to be reckoned with, the drums and guitars are all top knotch. Not only is the musicianship great, but they make the music interesting by incorporating the Ancient Egyptian theme. Many ancient instruments are played throughout the album to give it a very fresh feel. So why was this so hard for me to get into? Well, I think the main reason is that, to the untrained ear, this may sound a little monotomous. All I can say is give it time and listen closely, you'll be able to decipher the genius that this album holds. The lyrics are good and reflect upon different Egyptian events that took place in history. You can read all about them in the booklet of the album. Each song has a story to tell. That is a great and intricate bonus. With all of this said, pick this up, give it several spins and enjoy.

While I thought 'in their darkened shrines' was a good cd, I was beginning to think Nile was running out of ideas. 'Annihilation of the Wicked' proved me wrong! It's definitely still Nile, with winding, complex riffs and long patches of non-stop blasting on the drums. Still got the 9 minute songs with names too long to repeat here.

But, I think the two things emphasized on this disc more than before are: much more rhythmic variety in the riffs, and more parts with two or more simultaneous guitar lines. Both of these make Annihilation sound fresh, and not a rehash of the older material. And it works well, because changing their melodic style would detract from the egyptian theme they still use.

Also, I was pleased to see extensive research behind the song material described in the liner notes. This time you not only get the egyptology stuff, but also some anecdotes about the songwriting process, in places. Nile has done this since Black Seeds of Vengeance, and it's always been a nice bonus when you buy one of their discs.

Nile goes with a more brutal songwriting approach this time around with AOTW.There isn't as much egyption influence this time,but I consider that a good thing.Most of the songs are fast and technical as hell,bludgening the listener into a state of euphoria and your parents and other loved ones into a state of nausia.

Their new drummer george is absolutely amazing.I didn't think it was possible,but George's performance here is even more intense than Tony's on In their darkened shrines...if you can believe that.The only problem is that the mix is so guitar heavy that it's hard to really hear what he's doing sometimes.Karl and Dallas spend most of the time shredding you into oblivian or hitting you with riffs that weigh 3 tons,which rules..but it also makes this album less memorable as the last record.I think that was kinda the point though,as this is Nile's most brutal and chaotic album.

Overal,this is an excellent release.Extremely brutal and precise with great songwriting.Let's face it..If they ever topped In their Darkened Shrines this probably would have been one of the greatest metal releases ever.Don't worry kids,Nile Still rules.

Relapse is home to some truly great and innovative bands such as Neurosis, Dillinger Escape Plan, Today is the Day, and of course Nile. This is my first encounter with Nile, the first CD i've bought of theirs. And i can tell you that it won't be my last. Absolutely crushing Death Metal at it's best is one way to describe Nile. But another way to describe them is to say that for most of the Death Metal bands out there, they are possibly one of the most interesting. Filled with lyrics that speak about all sorts of Egyptian culture, launching into hyper-fast drum rhythms and riffs which at times slow down to brutal headbanging riffs, vocals that put some other Death Metal vocalists to shame and of course some awesome solos as well..Nile aren't just another 'typical' Death Metal band at all. In fact, they're quite different and very awesome.

The first track on this CD i expected to be an immediate blast of mega-fast drumbeats and shredding riffs..but no. It's actually a 51 second Instrumental that gives you the feel of what Nile's lyrical content is about. The track is pretty dark and ambient which then leads into, "Cast Down The Heretic", which explodes onto your speakers. Starting at mega-fast speed, at about the halfway mark a great seemingly neverending solo begins, taking you on a pure Death Metal journey. "Cast Down The Heretic" is a great opener, giving you an idea of what you're in for while still being unpredictable in it's own way.

Such songs on this great album as "User-Maat-Re", the brutally awesome "Annihilation of the Wicked" and the final track "Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten", all go above the 8 minute mark. Adding to all the intensity in Nile's music is all of the excellent solos they incorporate into their songs. Some of the solos are just classic, and at times are played at mega-speed which just goes to show how talented Nile are. Providing heavy riffs on top of hyper-fast drumming, all the while producing some very memorable melodies that you'll want to come back and listen to time and time again. This CD probably won't leave your CD Player for at least a week, it's that good. Also, this CD has some great art-work, and the lyrics are extremely long and pretty interesting for anyone interested in reading them.

Overall, as i've said..this a brutal CD from start to finish. Although at times it dips into the Instrumental and even atmospheric, it always launches back into the trademark sound of crushing brutality that just leaves you in awe. My personal favorite song on here is "Annihilation of the Wicked", but really every song is great. This is obviously recommended to all Nile fans, new or old, and also to Suffocation, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse and Vader fans as well. I think all fans of Death Metal will enjoy this release just as much as i have.

This album is absolutely wicked. Blistering, brutal, cataclysmic metal. If you like your metal extreme, straight from the burning pits of fire and brimstone that can be located in the deepest recesses of Hades then you will love this.

In addition, the Ancient Egyption themed lyrics makes for a far more cerebral piece of work than your usual "I want to drop her hot steaming entrails onto her toes and make love to the newly formed orifice I have made in her stomach" kind of lyrics to be found in other trashy, necrophylia laced, vomit inducing death metal lyrics.

Each song is inspired by an historical event that occurred during the reign of the Pharoahs. Reading the narrative of the events in the liner notes and then listening to the song and the lyrics these events inspired makes for a thoroughly immersive experience. The empathy for these ancient people that I could conjure while listening to this CD was an enlivening and exciting experience.

What I also found entertaining from a guitarist's and composer's perspective is the liner notes providing insight into the creative process that occurred during the writing and recording of this album. Listening to these chops after reading these notes provided me with a much richer appreciation of what was unfolding musically as it assaulted my ears.

All in all, this means that you get much more than just a typical musical experience, a holistic, immersive, historical, sonic experience. Thoroughly recommended.

NILE - Annihilation of the Wicked
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I should note this is my first full intro to Nile, I had heard some songs in the past but it was always just a song or two... I had never given a full album the attention it truly deserves. So that being stated here it goes...

After a very nice, 0:50, Middle Eastern intro the album unleashes pure relentless fury like no one, except Nile can do. Cast Down the Heretic is quite possible the fastest/heaviest song I have ever heard... At first I will be honest it was a bit hard to digest, even a bit overwhelming for a tenured metal head like myself to adjust to... Truth is, the experience was more rewarding then a test of patience. (As I had initially thought)
Musicianship aside, what is most impressive about Nile is that for a band that could challenge a Panzer Tank they have such a strong sense of Melody which combined with their superb song writing, and Egyptian themed lyrical content, makes Nile one of the Freshest bands in Modern Death Metal.
There is really no point in going into details over how talented there guys are because anyone who can sit through a full song (or album) and realize that it is not `noise' merely they are playing 32nd notes, will immediate appreciate how skillful these guys are. Karl Sanders and Dallas Wade are a guitar duo to be reckoned with... Not to mention Nile's new drummer George Kollias is the fastest drummer I have ever heard. (They had to get this guy specially imported from Greece. I guess they just don't make drummers like that in North America anymore...)

After all that I should state Nile is not flawless... They are certainly an acquired taste and should be taken at face value for what they are... Brutal, Fast, Technical Death Metal.

You really have to be in the right frame of mind to listen to this CD and I've come to the conclusion, as well, that Nile is just that band you need to get that crappy MTV/Radio Hit Song out of your head. (Back in the day, this honour would have belonged to Cannibal Corpse, more recently it was Behemoth and going forward Nile will take that roll.)
Nothing is faster or more brutal than Nile!

Favorite Songs: User-Maat-Re, Annihilation of the Wicked, Cast Down the Heretic and Lashed to the Slave Stick.
-4 Stars


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Nile have to be one of my favorite death metal bands out there. I don't care about the hype, and I'm not one to hold a band's success against them. Nile have continued to hone their skill and perfect their trade. I haven't heard 'Ithyphallic' yet, but from what I read about it, it sounds like Nile may have reached their peak on 'Annihilation of the Wicked'.

This album is just so brutal and so tightly-executed that I want to cry when I listen to it. George Kollias' drumming is second to none - and his foot work blows my mind. You could slam Nile for not really differentiating their sound much, or argue that there isn't much variety on this album - but, why would you? If you feel that way, then I don't think you get the point. There isn't much that I would change about this album. When I want uncompromising brutality, I look to 'Annihilation of the Wicked'.

Compared to previous Nile offerings, the first thing that has to be said is that the production on this album is phenomenal. I actually find it hard to listen to 'In Their Darkened Shrines' now, because it sounds so muddy. I also think the drumming is much better on this album. To be honest, I thought that 'In Their Darkened Shrines' was a step back as far as drumming goes - especially compared to the incredible drum-work provided by Derek Roddy on 'Black Seeds of Vengeance'.

Ultimately, this is brutal death metal at it's most brutal and technical, with quality production that does it justice. I can't honestly see any reason why any death metal fan would have a complaint against this album, but that's just me.

I was first introduced to Nile a couple of years ago, when browsing in a local record store. I had grown up listening to metal and being interested in ancient history, and one of the first bands which I found compelling was Iron Maiden, because of their intelligence and the historical themes found in the lyrics, combined with the heavy guitars and screaming vocals. I remember when IM's "Powerslave" came out, and I was just amazed at how cool the cover art was, and how interesting ancient Egypt could be in a metal album context. Then comes Nile, twenty years later, with the logical culmination of that concept, which could have been an unconvincing failure in the hands of a less capable band-but succeeds far beyond my expectations.

Nile, headed by frontman Karl Sanders, is an historically-themed death metal band, who are not only unbelievably heavy and intense, but also intelligent, well-researched, and articulate. The overall packaging and art design is also extremely well-done; making the booklet accompanying the album a feast on the eyes. Lurid, colorful and evocative artwork and copious historical notes and references accompany each song's lyrics, making this an engaging and informative experience....seriously, Karl Sanders could have been an egyptologist in another life. I look forward to reading the liner notes of a new Nile release almost as much as the music.

And what of the music? Well, I am no neophyte to death metal, but Nile are so fast and intense at times that even I was taken aback at first. Nile albums are really conceptual pieces that require you to engage them and listen to the album all the way through, and when it finally clicks...wow! Nile albums are full of technical, super heavy and dark death metal songs interspersed with moody, serene tracks performed on ancient Egyptian instruments and layered with eerie sound effects. The drums, in particular, are simply amazing, and the guitar is alternately a whirling tornado of machine-gun speed or a slow, ponderous din of dirge-like minor riffing that simply crushes. They really draw you in to a dark, ancient world of vengeful gods and exotic ritual mysticism. It's quite an experience.

I simply cannot recommend Nile enough to any fan of heavy, intelligent and original music. I own all of their albums, and they are all good, but this latest release is probably the best place to start....I look forward to a new Nile release in '07.

I haven't been in awe of an album in a while. Upon initial listen of this album, I felt that Nile were trying to tell me that there's something buried deep within the music itself; something that's lacking from modern day music: passion. After feeling that I made a wise investment, I listened to it more often. It took me a week to realize that this is one of the most incredible, emotional, creative, passionate work of musical artistry I have ever heard. All of the other albums I own cannot even come close to this monolith. (Hate Eternal's new album is pretty close though). I have repeatedly listened to this album and I find myself catching something new, like arpeggios embedded among dualing guitar riffs and intricate drum fills that scream talent. The riffs, oh God, the riffs. Totally unique and well constructed. It all fits together with the drums and vocals, like pieces of a puzzle. The solos are outstanding and well executed. They are full of emotion without losing any of its speed or brutality. The drums are also incredible, with well placed polyrhythms throughout all of the songs. The drum fills have become more intricate and varying than their previous release "In Their Darkened Shrines," which I believe is also a five star album. The production is perfect. Every instrument comes through with clarity without losing its overall heaviness. The lyrics are very intelligent and do a great job in telling a complete story. The booklet inside is very creative and informative. There are detailed liner notes for each song, ranging from Egyptian history to history made in the studio. Well, I'll try to do a short song-by-song review.

1) "Dusk Falls Upon The Temple Of The Serpent On The Mount"-A very nice and relaxing introduction. Sets the mood of the album quite nicely.

2) "Cast Down The Heretic"-Incredibly fast and vicious song. There's a never-ending solo in the middle of the song, too. Well, it's more like two minutes. Oh ya, and listen to the riffs behind the solo, also.

3) "Sacrifice Unto Sebek"-Nile has made an amazing music video to compliment this song. There's like three or four six-string arpeggios in the solo itself. You have to see the video to believe it.

4) "User-Maat-Re"-One of the three epics on this album. Starts with an acoustic intro, then shreds throughout the whole song until a really sick riff with super fast double bass is thrown in. Wow, that part is my favorite part of this song.

5) "The Burning Pits Of The Duat"-Wow I'd like to see a video made for this song, too. Mind-numbing arpeggios and sweeps throughout. There's three solos in here too.

6) "Chapter Of The Obeisance Before Giving Breath To The Inert One"-I love these long titles! Anyways, another scorcher. The first half is fast and heavy, and towards the end, it gets slower and gloomy. Awesome song.

7) "Lashed To The Slave Stick"-The first music video off this album. Killer song. If I had to choose, this song and User-Maat-Re would be my favorites. There is no guitar solo in this song but my God, the whole song is driven by the double bass. The drummer's endurance is simply amazing.

8) "Spawn Of Uamenti"-A dark ambient track with atmospheric animal sounds and horns.

9) "Annihilation Of The Wicked"-The second epic. Brilliant song with a killer ending. Listen to his blast beats near the end of the song. Makes me smile with glee.

10) "Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten"-The final epic of the trilogy. A fantastic closer, too. Oh ya, the blast beats with the incredibly fast double bass near the end of this song also makes me smile. I really emotional solo at the end, too.

Ya, I'm really glad that I bought this album and I hope I was of any help to you on deciding whether or not to at least look into this masterpiece. I'll be writing a review for the new Hate Eternal album "I, Monarch" in the near future. Bye!

First off all, Fred Dursts Numba one fan is and idiot once again, and a poseur. Niles lyrics aren't breaking up in Egyptian at all. There about the gods, and how they put people to death. Second, the drumming and guitar work is absolutely crushing! Its some of the fastest I've ever heard. Karl Sanders has incrediable solos Especially on "Cast Down the Herectic" my favorite song on the albums. Third, Karl Sanders has one of the best voices in Death Metal today. Fourth, I like the experimintation with the midi-guitar, its sounds amazing and Sophisticated (a word that is not often used to to describe death metal). fith, Nile totally s**t all over Nile. This by far one of the best releases that we will see all year. SFU you were pretty good, but I highly recommend this and see as an Esstenial to get this year. The only better death metal release I can think of this year is Hate Eternal "I, Monarch" which I also highly recommend.