Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka by Nile
February 21, 2007 by Jo Minor
Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka is one of American Brutal Death Metal outfit Nile’s most monumental releases. To sum the entire album up within the constricted confines of an album review would be absurd, but I hope to give you some insight on this unparalleled album.
The album starts off with a blistering track entitled Smashing The Antiu - which is straight up Nile, from start to end. The next track in the album, Barra Edinnazu, is also a typical Nile affair, and sometimes sounds like certain Cannibal Corpse songs like Decency Defied or Sentenced To Burn - not altogether surprising, since most American Brutal Death Metal bands inspire and influence each other quite significantly.
The third song in the album, Kudurru Maqlu, however is a totally different take on Nile’s Egyptology influenced music and lyrics. Kudurru Maqlu is a minute-long instrumental of sorts - with a faint string section, atmospheric sounds and the screaming of a deranged woman thrown in for good measure - and sets up the arrival of the brilliant track Serpent Headed Mask.
Ramses Bringer Of War is the next track, which is a tribute of sorts to the bloodthirsty Egyptian God, but the most historically accurate track present in Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka would be Die Rache Krieg Lied Der Assyriche - which is a German title for the battle cry of the ancient Assyrian armies of old. Musically and lyrically, Nile have stayed true to recreating this war cry - and must have done their homework - as usual - on the war rituals of this ancient people. This mostly instrumental track is a frightening listen - and your hair would stand on end when you hear the screams of “Ia Ia Pazuzu”.
Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka is as educational as it is entertaining - I know that I’ve read up on the splendors of ancient Egypt even more after listening to Nile (I’ve been a history buff since I was a kid, so what if I’m a nerd). The music on display here is top notch Death Metal, but for those who can’t stomach ear-shattering metal then you can always listen to the introduction part of Beneath Eternal Oceans Of Sand (and what a beautiful instrumental introduction it is!) and the first twenty seconds or so of Opening Of The Mouth.
Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka is monumental, historic and is a Death Metal classic - and shall stay as one for eons to come.
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