Nile @ Empire Live, 1/19/2025
Written by Rachael Skinner on January 24, 2025
Recap by Jesse Skinner.
On January 19, 2025, Empire Live in Albany, NY received a ferocious onslaught of death metal from the iconic band Nile and brutality legends Six Feet Under on the Revenge of the Underworlds Tour, with support from Psycroptic and Embryonic Autopsy.
Extreme music innovators, Nile conquered the stage from the moment they stepped underneath the stage lights. Belting out screams and guttural growling that would awaken an ancient Egyptian god from their slumber of kings. Front and center of the stage was Daniel Vadim Von, who took the majority of the vocal responsibilities while effortlessly playing bass. Daniel conveyed true power and force while vocally adding pure aggression to the live experience. Guitarist Zach Jeter added to the onslaught of vocal ferocity while also captivating the audience with his technicality on guitar. George Kollias displayed his mastery of intricate drumming techniques, essentially laying the foundation work that molds the band’s speed and precision. Karl Sanders, who can be credited as the mastermind of Nile, released his deep guttural growls while blissfully shredding his guitar in a dark, ancient Egyptian-God-like fashion. What makes a Nile live show even more impressive is the fact that each member of the band contributes to vocal responsibilities, giving the band a fuller sound. Between songs, Karl Sanders would interact with the audience. With a big smile on his face, he would lead the audience in chants of “F**k the snow!” (A snowstorm passed through that evening, creating difficult travel conditions.) That didn’t stop the metalheads in the Capital Region from attending. Outside the venue, the snow was flying, but inside Empire Live attendees were transported to a realm of ancient Egyptian Pharaoh death metal.
Nile leads the way for technical death metal while adding a unique touch of originality. Staying true to death metal roots, Nile has a devoted following of fans that never seem to be disappointed. Nile is one of the more consistent active death metal bands on tour this year. The Revenge of the Underworlds Tour spans to the end of February. This is a lineup of live bands you don’t want to miss.
Photography by Rachael Skinner.