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 Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines [Relapse Records - 2002]Having only barely survived yesterday's Nile gig, I can only conclude that these guys just keep getting better and better. Sweat was flying everywhere, and it wasn't just the fact that the aircondition seemed to be an unheard luxury. Bodies and hair flailing, and four guys on stage brewing up a storm, showing all Death Metal bands just how it should be done.
Getting better is something that can well be applied to their recordings as well. With In Their Darkened Shrines Nile have lost Chief Spires and added the bulk of John Vesano (though he didn't get to record any basslines yet - he was playing them live). I sincerely doubt there's anyone that will be able to say it was a sore blow to the sound of Nile. What they did on Black Seeds Of Vengeance has become even better in my opinion (though there's always people claiming to prefer older work).
Let's just start by saying -why- I think this CD is better than Black Seeds Of Vengeance, an album that set a standard by itself. For one, the production is much more powerful. The guitarsound comes through as though speakers were on the verge of shattering and the music blasts into your ears. Still the sound is very clear and all instruments are well defined.
The music itself is largely the same as on the old releases. But in my opinion the songs are better structured and hold a bit more variation in them, then on Nephren-Ka or Black Seeds. Take for instance a slow stunning piece like Sarcophagus, which is perfect for banging your head, as opposed to the riffmonster Kheftiu Asar Butchiu - which is perfect for breaking your neck on.
Highlight of the album would to me be the epic Unas, Slayer Of The Gods. I wouldn't have expected Nile to write a 11 minute track. But they've done it, and hell, by the time those 11 minutes have passed you'll awake and notice you've pressed 'back' - again. The four-part title track adds yet another four highlights... setting the total of highlights on 12. Out of 12 tracks, I think that's not a bad score.  Sander Hordijk
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|  | | Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines | Having only barely survived yesterday's Nile gig, I can only conclude that these guys just keep getting better and better.
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