Reviews

Nile – At The Gates Of Sethu

At The Gates Of Sethu is first and foremost a very traditional Nile album. Brutal technical death metal is still at the heart of it all, the three-pronged vocal attack has lost nothing of its venom and the religion and history from Ancient Egypt still form the main source of inspiration for Karl Sanders. What sets Nile apart from their peers is their collective attention for small details, such as ritualistic chants and the use of indigenous instruments and percussion.

Scott Kelly, Steve Von Till and Wino: Songs of Townes Van Zandt

Distilling Van Zandt’s work down to a poignant acoustic framework (as he used to do so well in a live setting) brings the immediacy and lyrical genius of his work to the fore. However, not only does the album pay due respect to the influence Van Zandt has had on Kelly, Von Till and Wino, it also serves as a reminder of the sublime artistry that sits at the heart of their own work. If you can’t find something to latch onto among these nine hauntingly picturesque tracks, or recognize Kelly, Von Till and Wino’s own legacies at play, then it’s best you check your pulse to see if you’re even living.

The Cult – Choice Of Weapon

Without further ado I want to state that Choice Of Weapon is an excellent rock album that can easily hold its own against classic The Cult albums, like Love(1985), Electric (1987) and Sonic Temple (1989). It’s quite a statement, but Choice Of Weapon is simply that good.