Nile - Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka review
| Band: | Nile |
| Album: | Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka |
| Style: | Brutal death metal, Technical death metal |
| Release date: | 1998 |
| Guest review by: | Stigmatized |
01. Smashing The Antiu
02. Barra Edinazzu
03. Kudurru Maqlu
04. Serpent Headed Mask
05. Ramses Bringer Of War
06. Stones Of Sorrow
07. Die Rache Krieg Lied Der Assyriche
08. The Howling Of The Jinn
09. Pestilence And Iniquity
10. Opening Of The Mouth
11. Beneath Eternal Oceans Of Sand
Released in April of 1998, Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka is the first full length album of Egyptian Death Metallers Nile. Sporting a different approach to death metal, and metal in general, this album shows Nile in their "raw" form. This is where it began, and what would eventually lead to later masterpieces such as "In Their Darkened Shrines."
What sets Nile apart from other bands of the same genre is obviously the Egyptian aspect. Scattered throughout the album are Egyptian instrumentals, chants, choir effects, and other various Egyptian accompaniment. Along with that, you get crushing guitars, great drumming and good death metal vocals. The album itself is short, running at around 33 minutes. However, it's brutal and consistent all the way through. The only break is a couple of instrumentals. Don't let that discourage you though, both sound very cool and really add to the overall mood of the album.
The production on this album is not as solid as later efforts but it's not enough to bring the album down. As I said earlier, it has sort of a raw sound to it, but not in a bad way. Every instrument is clear, with none of them being drowned out by others. It seems to fit the album just right. I grew to like the sound of it after awhile.
I'm not going to address every song, because they are all equally good and unique. Some definite highlights include Barra Edinazzu, Ramses, Bringer of War, Die Rache Krieg Lied Der Assyriche and Beneath Eternal Oceans Of Sand. In the end, this is an impressive debut, to say the least. If you're new to Nile, check this album out first, you won't be disappointed. A true jewel indeed.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 10 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 10 |
| Production: | 9 |
Written by Stigmatized | 07.07.2006
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Comments
Comments: 19
Visited by: 171 users
| Bloodshed Account deleted |
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| Daniel Posts: 166  |
Cool review,pity I despise everything to do with nile............
---- In The Cold Winds of Nowhere
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| Clintagräm Shrinebuilder Posts: 5773  |
Very nice review. One of my favorite Nile albums. Of course, I love them all.
---- The force will be with you, always.
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| Stigmatized .......... Posts: 3820  |
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| lordz IzZo Posts: 406  |
A master piece by one of the best brutal death metal bands in the scene
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| Stigmatized .......... Posts: 3820 |
Written by Daniel on 07.07.2006 at 05:05 Sorry I just noticed this. Why do hate Nile so much?
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| Daniel Posts: 166 |
Written by Stigmatized on 28.07.2006 at 05:06 I can't stand the singer,  ,plus,im not really into that kinda metal,overall I don't like there music or the band,but they do deserve some respect,they seem to be pretty popular
---- In The Cold Winds of Nowhere
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| KryptoN imperceptible Posts: 634  |
Nice review, though I would have given production an 8 or even a 7 myself.
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| Stigmatized .......... Posts: 3820 |
@Beverage- I love the vocals man, maybe it just isn't your style. Plus, they're not as popular as you would think. @KryptoN-Thanks for the compliment. I know the production was a little rough, but I thought this was still an impressive debut and I didn't mind the sound so..... 
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| Paganblood The Aryaputra Posts: 1194  |
This is the 1st Nile album I listened to. I agree with you, great review! 
---- that which shines without names and forms...
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| Stigmatized .......... Posts: 3820 |
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| Throne of Rats Posts: 195  |
My Favorite album of all time.  No more to be said.
---- Burning Crosses, Invoke the Powers, Rape the Crown, Hell Awaits!!
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| Uirapuru Liver Failure Posts: 2955  |
even thou this album is an almost masterpiece, its not the best one from Nile in my opinion, losing to ''In Their Darkened Shrines''. Ramses bringer Of War is amazing.. this album deserves a 9.8 or something.
----  ---- member of the true crusade against old school heavy metal, early 80s thrash, NWOBHM, traditional doom, first and second wave black metal, old school death metal, US power metal, 70s prog rock and atmospheric doomsludgestoner. o/
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| Ellrohir Heaven Knight Posts: 8669  |
This album is pretty solid one
---- My rest seems now calm and deep Finally I got my dead man sleep 
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| nb Posts: 248  |
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| @gent_-_orange Posts: 905  |
I love this album .... I think this is Niles most underrated album.
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| I_Die_Often Posts: 697  |
IMO all Nile is great!
---- Old enough to be your Daddy... speaking of which... you look familiar... do I know your mother???
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| JavierPaper Posts: 218  |
Good review, but in my opinion a 9 is too high for this album, it's good, but not perfect.
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