Much like their debut full-length album, "Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka", Nile's latest album spills forth black streams of heavy sonic mayhem with some of the most subsonic grunts you're likely to hear. Though definitely more atmospheric, especially through the increased use of Egyptian-like chanting and different percussion, it is still a very heavy album indeed.

"Masturbating the War God" is one the best tracks on the album, relentless, brick-like, and aurally interesting. Similarly, there's the long-spun and atmospheric "To Dream of Ur", whereas shorter cuts such as "Multitude of Foes" and "Chapter for Transforming into a Snake" also manage to impress. The album enchants entirely, however near the end it loses focus with "The Nameless City of the Accursed" (basically, natives chanting to the sound of drum rolls) and "Khetti Satha Shemsu" (repetitive drums with chanting, actually almost boring). Those who appreciated the unique style of Nile on their first album will definitely want to get their grubby hands on this one, too.

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RK

Written October 2000

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