In the world of music, Death Metal itself as a genre is a niche market to say the least, though over the years it has garnered a fierce and eclectic following. With a plethora of sub genres being formed, there seemed to be one such sub genre that was up for grabs, Egyptian themed Technical Death Metal. A deserved accolade goes to none other than South Carolina’s Nile.
[tracklist]
1. Call To Destruction
2. Negating The Abominable Coils Of Apep
3. Liber Stellae Rubeae
4. In The Name Of Amun
5. What Should Not Be Unearthed
6. Evil To Cast Out Evil
7. Age Of Famine
8. Ushabti Reanimator
9. Rape Of The Black Earth
10. To Walk Forth From Flames Unscathed
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]50:00[/length]
[record_label]Nuclear Blast Records[/record_label]
[release_date]August 28th 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
Much of modern society is built upon beliefs of all variations, from religious ideologies to historic teachings making up the pillars of modern society, what would happen if all beliefs cease to be? Previously marking their grandiose territory with a bold introduction, on disc number eight the impenetrable “Call To Destruction” hurtles forward as a rousing ode to the pillage of the metaphorical false idols. Immediately setting the tone for the album and the tracks to come.
“Liber Stellae Rubaea” proves that the band are not a one trick pony. The short sharp shock contains snaking riffs and some great use of augmented riffing along with the classic bellowing riff that perhaps the band put on the back burner previously. In turn giving the album a new found sense of modern identity, not exactly an easy feat when subject matter as old as Ancient Egypt and the band’s focus relies solely on various different themes put through the same filter.
Whilst also being modern it is clear that the record does hark back to the antiquity of the ancients with one of the highlights “In The Name of Amun“. Kicking off with an ostentatious introduction before the all important smack down verse riff. Making use of Nile’s signature lead melodies yet putting a new spin on them, particularly on the later solo section of the song, containing some of the most melodic phrasing in long while from the band. One of the most engaging aspects of What Should Not Be Unearthed is the immovable sense of real darkness, enveloping the album in a dark shroud that gives off the sense that what it contains is volatile and would be best left undisturbed.
Winner for the all out groove has to go to second single however, “Evil To Cast Out Evil“. Speaking of Pazuzu who would simultaneously summon plagues yet cast out other evil’s its a true testament that even now Nile have a tremendous sense of life left in within them. The assault course style fretwork remains, yet what has brought to the foreground is the idea of the riff. Concentrating primarily on the aspect of song writing the band have created a memorable, monstrous and ultimately catchy song.
The drunken amblings of the harmonics on title track “What Should Not Be Unearthed” give the song a slight lax feel. With the faceless edifice slowly trundling forwards until the song comes to the an earth shattering halt complete with gong’s and the preternatural scrapes. Though it’s the grand finale of the moody “To Walk Forth From Flames Unscathed” that delivers the fatal blow combining all the classic elements of the band coupled with the new delivery Nile have adopted including a haunting solo section. Bringing their latest chapter to decidedly dark end.
Deciding to create a band that celebrates the ways of the Ancient Egyptians, you might think that the material might become stale. For anyone believing that the band might be retreading the same ground, What Should Not Be Unearthed see’s Nile take the album’s metaphorical ideologies and put them into a musical perspective. Deciding rewrite their personal blueprint and following the album’s thematic model, questioning their own previous beliefs has led to the band writing some of their most solid material to date.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Simultaneously shattering their own template causing the band to evolve yet sounding like their classic selves. What Should Not Be Unearthed may warn us that things are best left undisturbed, but as the old adage goes. Curiosity got the cat…[/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up the excellent new album here!
