02/09/02

NILE / IN THEIR DARKENED SHRINES

Death Metal is a very conservative genre few bands have tried to change this or even tried to push back the limitations, Nile though are one of the few bands to try.

Maybe their obsession with Egyptian Mythology and culture, (that fits so well with the style of music they play) has inspired them into experimenting or it could be they felt restricted but whatever it was, they have tried to push the envelope. The two previous CD's were good and hinted at what they might achieve but this CD has everything in place, top-notch production, superb guitars and all the grunting vocals you could need.

The title track is very long and "Uma, Slayer Of Gods" clock's in at over 11 minutes long but not once do you ever get the chance to get bored, starting with acoustic guitar and atmospheric sounds it progresses into an awesome slab of Death Metal, very experimental but still recognisably Nile. They can still come up with the goods as "Sarcophagus" demonstrates and I feel that this CD will help to alleviate the stagnation of Death Metal.

Special mention must goes out to the booklet design, which is very well done and the explanatory notes on each track are well written.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 54 mins + 9 TRACKS