Vile Nilotic Rites is the ninth studio album by American technical death metal band Nile, released through Nuclear Blast on November 1, 2019. It is the band's only album with bassist/vocalist Brad Parris and first with guitarist/vocalist Brian Kingsland, the latter of whom replaced Dallas Toler-Wade in 2017. Two singles, "Long Shadows of Dread" and the title track, were released from the album. Nile toured North America throughout November and December 2019 in support of the record.
Background and recording
Drummer George Kollias called Vile Nilotic Rites a "special album for all of us since each member contributed on this a lot. I feel it represents the teamwork spirit Nile has right now and that shows on stage as well." The album was recorded at Serpent Headed Studios in Greenville, South Carolina.
The son of frontman Karl Sanders, Kael Sanders, appears as a guest vocalist on the album, as well as several other guest vocalists.
Critical reception
The album was generally well-received by critics and fans alike. Writing for Metal Injection, Austin Weber noted that the most distinct difference about the album from the band's other albums is the "influx of what you might call more "traditional" tech-death lead-work taking a larger role here beyond their patented frenetic riff style".
Track listing
Personnel
Nile
Karl Sanders – guitars, vocals, keyboards
George Kollias – drums, percussion
Brad Parris – bass, vocals
Brian Kingsland – guitars, vocals
Additional musicians
Mike Breazeale – guest vocal
Joe Vesano - additional vocal
Jason Hohenstein - additional vocal
Joshua Ward - additional vocal
Zach Jeter - additional vocal
Loren Forester - additional vocal
Kael Sanders - additional vocal
Hunter Ross - additional vocal
William Boyd - additional vocal
Matt Arflin - additional vocal
Production and design
Karl Sanders – production, recording
Mark Lewis – mixing and mastering
Jim Touras – engineering (drums) George Dovolos – engineering (drums) Brian Muniz – engineering (assistant) Michael "Xaay" Loranc – cover art, layout