It's a moot statement, but you could almost review the new Nile disc without even listening to it. Not that I would attempt such a move, but it is clear that after their three previous albums, all of which caved your skull with their unforgiving Egyptian flavoured Death Metal, Nile don't actually surprise anymore. Sure, 'Annihilation of the Wicked' may be one of the more anticipated discs of 2005, but is it possible that is could also be their most predictable of their short but brilliant career? Some might accuse me of jumping on the current 'diss Nile' bandwagon, but it is a valid question to ponder.
There is no question that Nile is part of the Death Metal elite. 'Annihilation of the Wicked' pretty much wipes 99% of the competition as far as musicality and overall technical proficiency. They're a phenomenal band. If you're a fan, you know the deal. You probably already own this album. And really, what the hell should we expect? Hip Hop? Not fucking likely. If the past three Nile albums have shredded your senses, and you've accepted that with a shit-eating grin permanently etched on your dial, 'Annihilation...' will do the same.
As great as this disc sounds (and it does sound immense), in all honesty there is now an undoubted sense of familiarity about Nile. Karl Sanders and the band would be first to admit that stylistically, Nile is very much a single theme based death metal band. And there is no other like them. Unfortunately, they have now reached a point where they're almost hamstrung by their single-mindedness. They're a tad more predictable than they've ever been. Still, there is enough manipulation of their ideas on 'Annihilation..' to keep the hounds at bay and it is this development that will be of much interest on future material.
The casual Nile listener won't spot too much that is different about 'Annihilation...' The fact that Nile still sand blast one's cranium with their furious death/grind is proof enough that little has changed. However, it is clear that mainman Karl Sanders was adamant to infuse some subtle changes within the context of Middle Eastern/Egyptian based thematic. The most dramatic change is that 'AOTW' is possibly a more direct, more straightforward Nile album. If Nile could ever be described as a more aggressive version of themselves, then I suppose they've achieved it on this album. Ironically, it is the bands decision to purge the overtly Egyptian orchestration from their sound that makes this so apparent. Rather than incorporate their haunting, mystical noodling at every opportune moment, Karl has followed through on his 'less is more' promise and restricted these moments to song intros and interludes primarily. As a result, Nile gives us a more balanced sounding album.
'Annihilation...' is also Nile's best sounding album of their career. Many have often complained about the bands inability to get their sound right on previous efforts - muddy guitar mix, ineffectual drums and the like. With Neil Kernon (Cannibal Corpse, Deicide) in the chair, clarity seems to have finally been nailed on this disc. Particularly in the much maligned drum mix - and with new boy George Kollias filling the considerable shoes of past Nile blasters Derek Roddy, Pete Hammoura, and Tony Laureano, it is pleasing to see Kernon capture the technical ferocity that this band has always demonstrated but fell just a tad short of on previous efforts.
Nile have also been careful to temper their blasting and speed orientation, ensuring that if anything, 'Annihilation...' is a more musically diverse sounding album - no question, they can still shred your very soul like usual, but some mid-tempo action, variation in drum patterns and riffs provides this disc its important musical differences that gives the slightly more jaded Nile fan hope for the future. Having said that, I can't help but return to my opening statements. There is now an air of familiarity and predictability about Nile. They've painted themselves into a corner stylistically and whilst some subtle developments are notably welcome on this disc, I'm not convinced that they'll get away with something similar next time around.
- Krozza
(See reviewer's scoring method)
