Nile - Ithyphallic
Nuclear Blast
Egyptian-Influenced Death Metal
10 songs (49:48)
Release year: 2007
Nile, Nuclear Blast
Reviewed by Kayla

Before I start talking about the meat of the album, let me delve into a bit of etymology. The word ithyphallic comes from a Greek term meaning “erect phallus,” referring to the large phallus carried during celebrations for the god Bacchus. Of course, in archeological terms, it can also refer to any statue of a god with such an attribute. (Apparently in Victorian times, the word meant indecent or obscene, which makes sense, as Victorian England also gave us the terms white meat and dark meat so that no one had to say breast or thigh.)

Anyway, enough discussion of words and their definitions. As an album, Ithyphallic falls somewhere between In Their Darkened Shrines and Annihilation Of The Wicked in Nile’s musical evolution. On Annihilation Nile seemed to be content to settle into a more fast-paced, brutal pattern, without as much of the sludginess and unpredictability found on In Their Darkened Shrines. Certain tracks on Ithyphallic slip into repetition, but there are enough that surprise the listener to make up for it. The overall album structure seems more focused than Annihilation; the only atmospheric Egyptian passages come at the very beginning and the very end, with the opening of What Can Be Safely written, and the closer, Even The Gods Must Die (as well as, interestingly enough, a short, purely acoustic instrumental track, The Infinity Of Stone). Easily the longest song on the album, it doesn’t approach the sheer scope of Unas Slayer Of The Gods but still makes for a satisfyingly solid end.

After five full albums, certain things can be expected from a Nile album, all of which are quickly delivered. After the acoustic opening, What Can Be Safely written thunders in with heavily Egyptian drum and bass lines, joined by looming, powerful guitars. In their faster moments, Nile encompass all the divine rage of a long-dusty god, with that rage cooling into something far more implacable when they slow into sludgier territory. Fortunately, Sanders’ vocals are exceptionally clear on Ithyphallic; given the richness of their lyrics, it’s quite nice to be able to understand at least most of the song.

The highlight of the album comes with Laying Fire Upon Apep. Another primarily fast track, it features an absolutely massive descending riff, dark and sinister, grabbing the listener and forcing them to bow before the power displayed. Like most of the other tracks, though, it breaks into a sludgier bridge before returning to the higher, buzzing opening riff in the end. Strangely enough, that particular riff is familiar not only from the opening of Laying Fire, but also from the opening and closing of Papyrus Containing The Spell To Preserve Its Possessor Against Attacks From He Who Is In The Water (once again, we see Nile’s penchant for ridiculously lengthy track names). Too bad only the opening/closing riff is echoed between those two tracks; we’re only treated to the particularly good one in Laying Fire once.

The one particular complaint I would voice about Ithyphallic overall is the production on the drums. They’re a bit hollow and flat, and as a result, stand far apart from the rest of the music, hammering above the morass. While the clarity is nice, especially when the guitar and bass lines slow into sludgier passages, it ends up sounding too artificial, and blending badly.

Overall, Ithyphallic shows some recovery from the stagnation of Annihilation Of The Wicked, but doesn’t begin to reclaim the throne they took with Amongst The Catacombs of Nephren Ka and In Their Darkened Shrines. Still, it’s more than good and innovative enough to rise above the death metal hordes and ensure their place among the dusty desert pantheon.

Killing Songs :
Ithyphallic, Laying Fire Upon Apep, Even The Gods Must Die
Kayla quoted 83 / 100
Aleksie quoted 92 / 100
Goat quoted 72 / 100
Other albums by Nile that we have reviewed:
Nile - Vile Nilotic Rites reviewed by Goat and quoted 84 / 100
Nile - What Should Not Be Unearthed reviewed by Kynes and quoted 78 / 100
Nile - At the Gate of Sethu reviewed by Tony and quoted 86 / 100
Nile - Worship the Animal - 1994: The Lost Recordings reviewed by Goat and quoted no quote
Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest reviewed by Goat and quoted 89 / 100
To see all 10 reviews click here
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