Nile and Hate Eternal @Amplifier, Perth (25/5/10)

Thu 27th May, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Respectful. Quietly reverent.

Not keywords you would normally associate with a death metal crowd, but ithyphallic metallers Nile drew their own kind of fans out to the Amplifier.

First up though, Florida trio Hate Eternal had some business with the punters. Although these guys have an enormous pedigree – featuring Eric Rutan, formerly of Morbid Angel and Ripping Corpse, on both guitar and vocals, and with former members from other noted death metal acts – they’ve never had the commercial success of some of their peers.

Their performance this evening was solid, but never really outstanding. Although the band got a good groove on and Rutan’s killer solos were standout, there was no real engagement with the crowd. Particularly annoying was the paltry, clicky bass drum sound.

The stage was cleared and the arduous task of setting up for the technical juggernaut that is Nile began. When all was finally ready, the band took to the stage – no mysterious rock star entrances possible at the Amplifier – starting a chant for Kafir! – ‘there is no God’. Heavy stuff.

The volume and energy levels, both those coming from the stage and those being thrown back at it, swung massively upwards and the band kicked into gear. Although the bass drums again suffered from a fairly weak tone, the quality of stickmanship from George Kollias was inspiring, matched with the energetic bass work of Chris Lollis. Frontman and supporting guitarist Dallas Toler-Wade, minus the ridiculous skullet he sported when last in this country, incited horns and shouts from the previously subdued crowd.

Most reverence, however, was reserved for founder, band mastermind and guitarist Karl Sanders, bathed in the glow of lights from his computerized setup. A band like Nile are not happy unless their performance is technically note-perfect, so to comment on their proficiency in this regard is really not saying anything. But when Sanders let go with his first solo, the punters were ready with ‘we’re not worthy’ horns – and it was truly deserved.

The setlist leant heavily on Nile’s latest offering – Those Whom The Gods Detest, easily their best release to date – but the classics were not forgotten: Ithyphallic, Papyrus Containing the Spell to Preserve Its Possessor Against Attacks From He Who is in the Water, the incredibly heavy Sarcophagus, and ending with Black Seeds of Vengeance.

Nile turned what had been a shaky start to the evening to a triumphant conclusion. Respect where it’s due.