By Salla Harjula
Uncontested pharaohs of Egypt inspired death metal, Nile talked to Heavy Mag about aliens, evil mythological serpents and their upcoming album What Should Not Be Unearthed. Founding member Karl Sanders says it’s a return to direct savagery.
”This album is very streamlined, it’s meant to be brutal. In fact the songs are memorable and catchy. It’s definitely a record you can put on and just get.”
It’s an intriguing direction to take, at a time when intricate tech metal is experiencing a surge in popularity. Especially as many of these younger bands have been directly spawned by Nile and kindred spirits.
”Well, I’m kinda sick of super technical. Lately I hear bands that are so technical I don’t know if I hear a f*cking song anymore. And to be truthful, half the people that listen to tech death have no idea what the f*ck they’re actually even listening to, anyway. So I don’t know. I got a little bit tired of the whole ‘each thing must be more tech than the last thing.’ I wanna hear some metal songs.”
True to classic Nile form, the album has a carefully crafted concept behind it. It is inspired by the early 19th century, an era when magnificent archaeological findings in Egypt, discoveries of dinosaurs, and Darwin’s theory of evolution were rattling the public consciousness and blew apart some of society’s core beliefs.
What would be a terrifying discovery on par with those in 2015?
”That’s a good question I’ve asked myself many times. And I think… Nothing! Nothing would shock people.”
”It’s the 21st Century and we’re jaded. Even if archaeologists found some Lovecraftian monsters or discovered that the tomb of aliens lay in the seas or whatever, no one would believe it! You’d see it on the Internet, and people would just go ehhh that shit’s Photoshop, f*ck these assholes.”
Could very well be. These cool lyrical concepts are what Nile fans are all about though. I want to know if Karl, as the writer, has a favourite Egyptian mythology story to share.
”There are an awful lot of cool ones. And the ones I like, I usually write Nile songs about. So if you pick up any Nile album, you’ll see all my favourite mythologies right there. There’s a great one on the new record called Negating the Abominable Coils of Apep. Really like that one.”
”It’s a spell to nullify the giant underworld serpent, who is the living embodiment of evil. And you say the spell so that he’s not able to attack you and you can pass by him on your journey through the underworld.”
Speaking of journeys, Nile are heading down to Australia in November and Karl is super stoked about this. He loves the fans and the music here. His favourite Australian band is…
”Well Psycroptic. Duh! You can’t ignore AC/DC either. How much happiness have they given to us over the years? A LOT.”
For the tours, Nile have hired a new bassist Brad Parris, who gets praise from Karl for his youthful and positive vibe. But as the band has seen several line-up changes over the years, I’m interested in how much the hiring policy hinges on personal chemistry over skill.
”I think personal chemistry has an incredible amount to do with it. There’s a lotta guys that can play. Are there necessarily guys you can trust? That you can believe will step up when the time comes to do these things: you have to make sacrifices, hard work, and give up your personal life. It’s not an easy thing to walk.”
Nile for these guys is not only a private passion but a career. Brad and drummer George are youngish men but the others are getting onto middle age. Will they still be playing massively brutal metal in their ‘80s or ‘90s?
Karl cracks up.
”Well that’s way past the age of mandatory retirement. I’d hope that by the time I do reach that age, I’ll have put aside some money for my old age.”
So you’ll stick with it strictly up to the age of 65 and then go, no music for me ever again?
”Heh! We’ll see what happens. Right now I’m happy playing metal and that’s good enough for me.”
What Should Not Be Unearthed is out via Nuclear Blast on 28 August.
Tour Dates
19 November – Max Watts, Brisbane 18+
20 November – Manning Bar, Sydney 18+
21 November – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne 18+
22 November – Capitol, Perth 18+ *FHTTS not performing
Tickets On Sale from:
BRISBANE – www.oztix.com.au / www.maxwatts.com.au
SYDNEY – www.manningbar.com / www.oztix.com.au
MELBOURNE – www.cornerhotel.com
PERTH – www.oztix.com.au
ALL SHOWS – www.soundworkstouring.com – paypal only
