Customer Reviews

Ithyphallic

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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."

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.....

While Nile may very well be the best "death metal" band currently recording, that doesn't mean that their albums are masterpieces of metal; in fact, despite the fact that I recognize that these musicians are beyond extremely talented, and that they (Karl) do (does) their (his) homework regarding the historical accuracy and legitimacy of the lyrics, I always feel somewhat disappointed with each new Nile release. While I'm always amazed by Karl's musicianship, I can't help but think that the songwriting could be just a bit more creative as a whole, and more inspired. With HUGE potential with the Egyptian angle, there are certainly more possibilities than we've heard thus far from Nile, and I just wish that more tracks stood out on "Ithyphallic" than I recall. Nile's albums, as a whole, have two-three tracks that really stand out from the rest, and it's these tracks that justify the purchases of their albums, as the rest tends to be little more than filler, in my opinion. Unfortunately, beyond the first few tracks of their latest release, there is little to be remembered, and little I'm going to want to listen to more than a few times. If you were somewhat disappointed with "Annihilation...," this album isn't going to make you love Nile. It's somewhat ironic that NB just released Nile's best tracks in a compilation ("Legacy of the Catacombs"), and that from each prior album, three tracks are featured; essentially, these are the only Nile tracks you need (more or less), and I'm not sure what tracks they'd add to this bit from "Ithyphallic" beyond the first three. I'd recommend this album for current fans of Nile, but I couldn't state to any newcomer that it's anything to write home about.

Clearly with this release Nile have yet raised the bar again in the genre of Death Metal.

When I first picked this album up it did take a few listens through to really absorb all that's going on in the songs and to get a feel for the album.

The production is great as you can clearly hear the drums and the dual guitar work going on. I think the vocals are also a bit more clearer than they have been on previous albums.

The technical guitar work and drumming is rather astounding and is performed in top form. Fret-less guitars are used on a few tracks which sounds truly amazing and different.

I highly recommend this to any fan of Nile or any fan of brutal Death Metal. Hands down something you don't want to miss out on!

Nile in full swing....The thing I love about this group is the fact that their albums have no major song, each album is a unique effort which can be listened to start to finish and enjoy every minute of it. Ithyphallic is none different. In Their Darkened Shrines and Annihilation of the Wicked were my favorite Nile albums, but after lettin this rip several times we may have a new leader in the club house. This album doesn't let up and is relentless. In addition there is the added bonus of actually being able to make out some of the words growled by Sanders and company. Overall this album is sure to please any Death metal fan, and if you are a new found metal fan you will surely respect the level of complexity and uniqueness this group exhibits with each album they put out. Fantastic....Get it.

I'm new to Death Metal and I came accross Nile. I love this album.

Good God. Nile is UNIQUE. They're a slap in the face of all musicians out there. This is no ordinary metal band, they are technically visceral, intelligent with their vision and execution, and more creative than practically anyone out there right now. Their albums will be lauded and remembered for many years. All of their albums should be on the 'Required to Buy' list because they can be listened to over and over and over without you getting tired of them.

Ithyphallic is no exception. Here we have the pummeling virtuosity of 'Papyrus Scroll', the screaming urgency of 'Language of the Shadows', the auditory barricade that is 'Eat of the Dead', not to mention the epic hammer of the title-track. Fan's of the last albums track 'Lashed to the Slave Stick' will also love 'As He creates, so He destroys'.

Moreoever, I can listen to this album in any mood, at any time. At work, in the car, in my room, etc. It doesn't feel out of place because there are no real 'dark' or 'moody' elements to it. It simply gives you a kick up the rear, then forces you to *listen*.

Few can claim that their lyrics are as creative, that their compositions as ingenious, and that their songs can withstand so many countless listens. Fewer albums still, can inspire young musicians to want to pick up an instrument, and here's one such album.

Yes, Nile is Unique, so don't miss out. Highly Recommended.

Nile's "Ithyphallic" re-cements the band's place at the top of death metal's pantheon of reigning kings. Yet another in a string of fantastic, well-produced metal discs in which they somehow manage to outdo themselves, Ithyphallic is just what you would expect from a new Nile release- dense, gloomy and intelligent progressive death metal with a style all it's own and a level of musicianship that is nearly unparalelled in the genre.

Some changes that fans of Nile will be interested in on this new release since their departure from Relapse records is the new production "sound", which is absolutely crushing and dense, while at the same time clear as a bell. Definately the best production Nile has ever had, in which you can distinguish each instrument with clarity. This is especially noticeable in the guitar solos and vocals...in the past they have been sort of murky in the mix, but on Ithyphallic, they jump right out and grab you.

Some other changes worth mentioning for longtime Nile fans are the inclusion of more Lovecraft-inspired themes ("What Can Be Safely Written" and "As He Creates..."), an even higher level of technical guitar proficiency ("Papyrus....." features a ridiculously convoluted and massive harmony riff reminiscent of Decapitated) and sadly, the lack of any inclusion of Karl Sander's fascinating liner notes and commentary on the source material of the lyrics. Really the only caveat, and certainly nitpicking, but a disappointment for longtime fans like myself. The best death metal album of 2007. Absolutely mandatory.

This was actually the first album i managed to get my hands on since i havn't really gotten into Nile yet & it is a good album. However after listening to their other albums i noticed this album isn't thier best. I prefer 'In Thier Darkened Shrines' ("Unas Slayer Of The Gods" is an amazing track off that album) or 'Annihilation Of The Wicked' ("Cast Down The Heretic" beginning of the track is awesome!).

The thing i don't really like about this album, that many people found annoying was the vocals. I prefer the older albums & while this one tends to be a little more friendlier on the ears i think? And its not as extreme as the other albums, it seems watered down. Either way this is a pretty good album & as everyone else had said this really doesn't have anything new to offer. People who are unfamiliar to Nile should check this album out first, i think its one of the bonuses otherwise if you like real extreme metal go for the albums i mentioned above. The song Ithyphallic is a pretty good song, the intro to it is great.