Nile Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka CD (Jewel Case, 1998, Relapse Records)

Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka is the legendary debut full-length album from US technical death metal titans Nile, originally released in 1998 and widely regarded as one of the most important and influential records in extreme metal history and essential for any serious death metal collection.

From its opening moments, Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka established Nile’s unmistakable identity: hyper-technical riffing, relentless blast beats, and a deep fascination with ancient Egyptian mythology, Lovecraftian horror, and occult history. Unlike many debut albums, this release arrived fully formed—ferocious, focused, and uncompromising—laying the groundwork for Nile’s future dominance in brutal and technical death metal.

Tracks such as “Smashing the Antiu,” “Beneath Eternal Oceans of Sand,” and “Black Seeds of Vengeance” showcase Karl Sanders’ signature blend of savage precision and esoteric atmosphere, combining blistering speed with oppressive heaviness and exotic scales rarely heard in death metal at the time. The album’s shorter, direct song structures give it a raw urgency that contrasts with the increasingly expansive compositions of Nile’s later releases, making this record especially revered by long-time fans.

Inducted into Decibel Magazine’s Hall of Fame, Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka is universally hailed as a genre-defining debut, influencing countless brutal and technical death metal bands worldwide. For fans of Morbid Angel, Incantation, Suffocation, Cryptopsy, and extreme metal rooted in dark mythological themes, this album remains essential listening.

 This CD edition is a must-own classic - a brutal initiation into Nile’s ancient, merciless sonic empire.

Recommended if you like: Vader, Aborted, Bloodbath, At the Gates, Deicide, Carcass, Obituary, Mortician, Napalm Death, Mortician, Six Feet Under, Morbid Angel, Obscura, Exhumed, Dismember, Bolt Thrower

Artist: Nile
Title: Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka
Label: Relapse Records
Catalogue Number: RRCD6630-2
UPC: 78167669835
Release Year: 1998
Duration: Album
Format: CD
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
Condition: New & Factory sealed

Tracklist:
1. Smashing the Antiu
2. Barra Edinazzu
3. Kudurru Maqlu
4. Serpent Headed Mask
5. Ramses Bringer of War
6. Stones of Sorrow
7. Die Rache Krieg, Lied der Assyriche
8. The Howling of the Jinn
9. Pestilence and Iniquity
10. Opening of the Mouth
11. Beneath Eternal Oceans of Sand