Who is excited about this Nile album? Yay… nobody? Before you feel the rage, I just want to clarify that, like many of you, I agree that the older Nile albums are sacred in the death metal creed. Annihilation of the Wicked, In Their Darkened Shrines, and Black Seeds of Vengeance will always be timeless classics. No other band has sustained a gimmick so long and so well. However, Nile‘s recent efforts have left me cold and doubtful, so my expectations for The Underworld Awaits Us All were low. Let’s see if my hopes can join the army of the undead or actually meet Anubis once and for all.
No surprises—The Underworld is bigger than life, punishing, and speed-light Death Metal. Nile has always had its own signature songwriting style, a ton of furious and sharp riffs put together in a way that doesn’t feel like a song anymore, but rather the most organized improv-Death jam you’ve ever heard. However, as before, everything sounds clean and polished to a degree that makes me miss the rawness of the good old days, back when smoking in McDonald’s was socially accepted! At least the imagery and the themes are still there. This album contains all the wrath of an Egyptian curse (don’t worry, I know there’s next to no archeological evidence of such a thing in real life, but let me dream a bit!).
I like how much work Nile puts into its lore and all the mythology behind the times it describes. Most bands merely regurgitate historical pop culture, but Nile goes the extra mile, and even when I’m not fully in love with what I’m listening to, its atmosphere is fascinating. Back when I was young and full of dreams, I read The Book of the Dead. I didn’t understand a thing, but it certainly had cool prayers. The same is true with The Underworld. It has that same mythological feeling that I felt Nile had been losing for a while, though I’m not sure I understand where many of its ideas were going. Yet, it’s nice to hear that the gimmick hasn’t been gutted and buried yet. It still has some twists and turns to offer. Sadly, I have to say a few critical words now.
Okay, I’m being as dramatic as a hungry cat! I have a few bones to pick with the album. First, it drags a lot. It has extremely long tracks and some interlude ones, making the whole thing feel unbalanced. Second, the production is loud and robotic, which makes the riffs feel flat. And third, I just don’t feel this is as fresh and new. Many ideas have been explored before, and I end up not remembering much of what I sat through. It’s the kind of Death Metal that impresses you with its execution, but it doesn’t conquer your heart somehow, and as you might know, according to the Egyptians, that was the most important organ in the body!
I’d only recommend The Underworld for die-hard fans. You’ll get your Egyptian Death Metal dose as you’re used to, but if you’re looking for something new, you’ll have better luck elsewhere. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a bad album, but like the latest Rotting Christ, it’s playing it too safe. Therefore, my wait continues in the endless and unforgiving desert…
Label: Napalm Records
Release date: 23 August, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/nilecatacombs
Country: USA
Score: Buried deep within my dry heart, so it’s OK!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 