Ithyphallic

Nile

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 17, 2007)
• Original Release Date: July 17, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nuclear Blast Americ
• ASIN: B000R7I2HE
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,492 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. What Can Be Safely Written

2. As He Creates So He Destroy

3. Ithyphallic

4. Papyrus Containing the Spell to Preserve Its Possessor Against Attacks

5. Eat of the Dead

6. Laying Fire Upon Apep

7. Essential Salts

8. Infinity of Stone [Instrumental]

9. Language of the Shadows

10. Even the Gods Must Die [*]

11. As He Creates So He Destroys [Instrumental]

12. Papyrus Containing the Spell to Preserve It's Possessor Against Attacks

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Its Nile, August 8, 2007

By	2C (Indiana) - See all my reviews

Nile may very well be one of the most technically proficient bands in death metal. In addition, they have managed to grace the metal world with some masterpiece albums, most notably are "In Their Darkened Shrines" and "Black Seeds of Vengence."

"Ithyphallic" is a solid death metal release and a good Nile album in general. However, it offers nothing new that the listener hasn't already heard on any of Nile's prior releases.

The positives. Once again, Nile manages to impress the listener with their talents as musicians. As mentioned early, each of the members approach a level of musicianship to which the label of "virtuoso" is appropriate. In addition, there are some pretty good songs on "Ithyphallic," most notable being the opening track "What can be Safely Written." Perhaps the best quality of the album is its production. One of the flaws of "Annilation of the Wicked" was the fact that the drums and (at times) vocals faded into the background as they were drowned out by the guitars. However, this is not the case on "Ithyphallic" as all of the instruments are fairly discernable.

The negatives. Well, "Ithyphallic" fails to offer anything new within Nile's music, other than another addition onto an impressive discography. Basically, it sounds like so many of Nile's prior releases. In and of itself, this is not a bad thing, but it gives the appearance that Nile may be becoming stagnant in their creativity and running out of ideas. As with most Nile releases, I feel that there are portions of the album which are slow and manage to drag out entirely too long, which make those portions of the album boring and uninteresting to listen too. Though fans of Nile are accustomed to this, and may enjoy the prolonged ambiant elements that add to the atmospheric nature of their albums, I find it to be tedious.

All in all, "Ithyphallic" is a pretty good album; however, it is not a masterpiece. I can recommend this album to fans of Nile, and I can definitely recommend it to fans of death metal who may be unfamiliar with Nile. Despite the fact that I do like "Ithyphallic", I was not blown away by the release.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ithyphallic - Magnum Opus, July 17, 2007

By	Bonham.45 (Chucktown, SC) - See all my reviews

For Nile, 2007 brought a new year, new record label (Nuclear Blast), and a new album! (picking up Nile is the smartest thing Nuclear Blast has done since signing Death nearly a decade ago). This is a monster of a cd. Tech Death masterpiece, you might say. The best tech death album since Cryptopsy's 'Once Was Not' back in 05'. Karl and Dallas (guitars) are at their best here. Still unbelievable. George Kollias...where do I start with this guy...inhuman would describe it. His performance here solidifies him as one of the most impressive (and fastest) drummers i've ever heard. This is definetly Nile's best album to date. Best production, songs, and artwork. Must listen for metalheads.
an easy 5/5
As he creates, so he destroys.....

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i think everyone pretty much said what i'm about to say, June 8, 2008

By	JMF "JMF" (ca) - See all my reviews

awesome. every newer nile release just makes me DROOL. i loved "annihilation of the wicked", but "ithyphallic" just TURNS ME ON (no, not in a fetish/homosexual way, but in a musical way).

"what may be safely written" opens up the cd with brutal, blisteringly fast riffs after a nice little overture in the beginning of the song.

the next three tracks continue the sheer insanity of the intricately written guitar parts, speedily precise drumming, and growled vocals. each one sounds different and more memorable than the last.

"eat of the dead" and "the inifinity of stone" slow it down and give you a breather, but not for long! because in between each song and after them, there are MORE AWESOME SONGS with the same great material that somehow fails to get boring each time i listen to it.

i loved nile the first time i heard them in 2006, but ithyphallic doesn't disappoint; it just adds more to nile's spot in "awesome death metal bands."