Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Its Nile, August 8, 2007
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.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ithyphallic - Magnum Opus, July 17, 2007
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.....
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ANOTHER SOLID ENTRY FROM THE NEW LEGENDS OF METAL, October 26, 2007
For those of you who are not familiar with Nile, they are an 'extreme' metal band formed in 1993. They play a very unique, complex style of metal that incorporates 'eastern' styles of music, as well as Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Lovecraft style fiction themes in there lyrics.
The track listing is as follows:
1)What Can Safely Be Written-Starts off with Guitar synth that uses a French horn type of sound to give an eastern 'feel' with percussion behind it. Then the double bass drums kick in. The song alternates from technical riffs and blast-beats to a massive power-groove. The lyrics have a Lovecraft theme.
2)As He Creates, So He Destroys-ALOT of technical shred. It has a good breakdown that's technical, but choppy and groovy. Lyrics are about the Lovecraft deity 'Azagthoth'.
3)Ithyphallic-The Title track. A Great example of their style. Again it alternates from technical speed to slow power-groove with The trademark diminished style harmonies. Karl plays a fretless 10-string to simulate 'drone-notes' of eastern instruments.
4)Papyrus...(long title, the crocodile song)-This is the best track on the album in my opinion. Opening riff consists of choppy triplets and scalular runs that are just sick!! After a fast break, the song goes into a power-groove riff that has a tradmark sound.
5)Eat Of The Dead-One Of their slower ones. Showcase how they take simple riffs and bend out the notes to odd counts and Tremolo picked riffs to a slow drum beat. Again, Karl uses the fretless 10-string.
6)Laying Fire On Apep- More scalular riffing and blast-beat riffs
7)The Essenial Salts- 'Ditto', really cool melodic breakdown!
8)The infinity Of Stone-A really great acoustic guitar/percussion piece. A non-metal track. The guitar has a signature 'eastern sound' that Karl(Sanders) is known for.
9)Language of The Shadows-Has a mix of technical shred, melody and a great rythem to it.
10)Even The Gods Must Die-Similair to the first track. Has a Guitar synth at the beggining. Pretty mid-paced power-groove with an acoustic break at the end that has an 'eastern tribal' sound.
11)As He Creates...(insrumental) Another version of track 2 without vocals.
12)Papyrus...(instrumental) Another version of rack 4 without the vocals.
Ithyphallic is Niles 5th entry and shows that they still have the ability to creat unique music that put them at the head of the game in a relatively short time. One of the first thing you'll hear is the production. It has a very crisp, clear, high end to it that makes it different from the other low-end recordings. This is a plus and a minus. On one hand, You can hear every note clearly, even when their palying fast. One the other, The low end fuzz 'punch you in the face' sound that was in past recordings is gone. It's not a bad thing per say, there's not an over amount of high end, it just stands out alot from older recordings.
The musicianship is astounding(as always)! Karl Sanders ability as a guitarist and a songwriter is untouchable. Dallas Toler-Wade is equally as devastating as not only the 2nd guiatrist, but studio bassist. In addition, Dallas has taken over primary vocal duties(Karl still does back-up vocals). This is where they shine in my opinion. The one draw back to previous releases is the vocals. Nile, in the past, have had 3 vocal parts(both guitarist and bassist) And 2 of them sound like they're chewing on the microphone(especially Karl). It's a shame too, Niles lyrics are epic to say the least. Karl takes a very scholarly aproach, and it takes him a very long time to write them. On Ithyphallic, Dallas is legible and clear, but fits the brutal style of music.
What can be said about George Kollias that hasn't already been said? He is easily one of the best drummers on the planet! Many people are unfamiliar with him due to the fact that he plays 'extreme' metal. George easily plays at very odd-time signatures, does ridiculous fills, and has two of the fastest feet in the world. His double kick and blast-beats often reach 240 B.P.M and beyond! anyone interested in George's work can check out his website.
Nile rules metal!! what more can I say? if your a fan of brutal, technical, extreme metal, get Nile's Ithyphallic immediatly!!
www.nile-catacombs.net
in addition check out:
1)Amoungst the catacombs of Nefren-Ka
2)Black Seeds Of Vengence
3)In Their Darkend Shrines
4)Annihilation Of The Wicked
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