Nile is likely one of the foremost names in technical death metal: Long time listeners and genre adherents are apt to think of the band’s groundbreaking full-length debut “Amongst the Catacombs of the Nephren-Ka” and the ever-popular “In Their Darkened Shrines” (both of which were named in Decibel Magazine’s “Top 100 Death Metal Albums of All Time” which can be viewed here) or their most recent opus, “Vile Nilotic Rites”, all of which share lyrical themes of ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian religious and cultural beliefs, and also make reference to the writings of H.P. Lovecraft (as the song “Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten” appears to do so, along with a few others). The band is well known for their sharp technical proficiency and innovative songwriting, having released banger after banger over the course of nearly three decades of their existence.
In 1995, the band released their first EP “Festivals of Atonement”. “Festivals…” consists of five tracks of monolithic death metal easily worthy of the name and reputation Nile have since established. Pulverizing rhythms and blasts, and rasped dual vocal exhalations and roars alongside atmospheric introductions that sound as Egyptian as the ancient Sphinx (e.g. “Divine Intent” and especially “Wrought”) whisper of ancient buried tombs and sarcophagi best left unmolested make for a sufficiently exciting listen for both long-haulers and newcomers alike.
While Nile has undergone numerous lineup changes and improved in proficiency since this period of the band’s existence, “Festivals of Atonement” is a great showcase of what the band would evolve into down the line, especially regarding lyrical themes; it holds its value in that it is a window into the band’s past, present, and possible future.
Festivals of Atonement has been re-released by record label Hell’s Headbangers and can be listened to and purchased on the label’s bandcamp page. Listen below:
Towers of Rust 