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Combining the peculiar world of H.P Lovecraft and the mysterious histories of ancient Egypt with extreme technical death metal brutality, World-renowned American death metal icons Nile return with their highly-anticipated 10th studio album, The Underworld Awaits Us All, out August 23 via Napalm Records.
The record kicks off with 'Stelae Of Vultures,' a cacophony of brutal blast-beats, frantic riffage and feverish, screaming demonic vocals. At its midway point, it slows to a rip-roaring build-up until the technically precise guitar solos explode. Nile don't hold back with this devastating opener which sets the pace for the rest of the record. Next up we have quite possibly one of the longest track names ever and in true Nile fashion, it's barbaric. 'Chapter For Not Being Hung Upside Down On A Stake In The Underworld And Made To Eat Feces By The Four Apes' sets the 181st chapter of the Egyptian Book of the Dead to music with brutal tech death and it's just as savage as you can imagine but it's also utterly fantastic. 'To Strike With Secret Fang' is a short yet sharp attack on the senses with unrelenting power, unhinged maniacal ferocity and blackened death metal elements. The blast-beats in particular stand out in this track; a near constant barrage of vicious fury.
'Naqada II Enter the Golden Age' provides a classic Nile sound with a breath of fresh air. Sinister in nature, elevating beastly dissonance as the track charges forward to another soaring solo and vicious roars before the fanatical choirs close the track. To mark the record's midway point, the band provides a beautiful yet haunting Egyptian-esque instrumental in the form of 'The Pentagrammathion Of Nephren-Ka.' This instrumental serves as a short reprieve before 'Overlords Of The Black Earth' erupts with a heightened vigor, guitars are soaring, the drums are thunderous, the basslines are crushing and the vocals roar and growl from the depths of Egypt's crypts. Those fanatical choirs return to create an ominous atmosphere of cult-like worship. 'Under The Curse Of The One God' offers superior machine-gun fire rapid riffage with precise technicality. The tempo is nothing short of frenzied yet it has a menacing undertone emphasised by the choirs once more.
'Doctrine Of Last Things' begins with a spiraling old school death metal riff with gutteral vocals screaming and rasping from within. The track is unhinged, rabid and intense; Nile show absolutely no sign of slowing down as the record progresses. 'True Gods of the Desert' is a sprawling sonic assault which twists and turns as it slowly stomps forward with the uncontrollable power of a swinging anvil. The choirs this time are grand and echo their chants which command your attention and draw you in to a ritualistic experience.
As the record descends into its final chapters, the penultimate and longest track of the record 'The Underworld Awaits Us All' completely obliterates for the entirety of its 8 minute long lifespan. Incorporating frantic energy with complex time signatures and detailed riffs, this track alternates between rapid and mid-tempo paces with the occasional gong reverberating in the background. Those choirs make their presence known once again to really emphasise that eerie, ancient atmosphere. Finally, 'Lament for the Destruction of Time' showcases the band's musical prowess for one final push with this closing instrumental. Melancholic yet sinister guitar solos and thunderous drums fly on a backdrop of more reverberating gongs, desperately haunting vocalisations calling from the void and the sound of rocks and debris crashing down to bury us all forever.
Presenting highly complex and intricately detailed musicianship combined with ferocious speed and devastating brutality, Nile have proved that they are still masters of their craft with The Underworld Awaits Us All. This highly anticipated album has not disappointed whatsoever both musically and in bringing ancient tales and mysterious Egyptian and Mesopotamian histories to life.
Rating: 9/10
Release Date: August 23rd 2024
Released By: Napalm Records
FFO: Immolation, Necrophagist, Dying Fetus, Suffocation
Track List
1. Stelae Of Vultures
2. Chapter For Not Being Hung Upside Down On A Stake In The Underworld And Made To Eat Feces By The Four Apes
3. To Strike With Secret Fang
4. Naqada II Enter The Golden Age
5. The Pentagrammathion Of Nephren-Ka
6. Overlords Of The Black Earth
7. Under The Curse Of The One God
8. Doctrine Of Last Things
9. True Gods Of The Desert
10. The Underworld Awaits Us All
11. Lament For The Destruction Of Time
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What happened on this day in #ROCK #CLASSICROCK #GLAMMETAL #HEAVYMETAL #THRASH history! #TDIM
