Search - Necronomicon :: Pharaoh of Gods

Death Metal Excellence

NocturnalFrost | Blashyrkh | 07/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first comparison to Necronomicon would be Nile,as they both play death metal,have Egyptian inspired lyrics/image,and both are great bands.The difference is where as Nile sounds like an angry hurricane coming at you in their heavier parts,Necronomicon's style of heaviness is very reminiscent of Morbid Angel,meaning technical,brutal riffs with intricate,technical drumming.Several elements set Pharaoh Of Gods apart from the rest of the overcrowded genre.Their bass player Kate adds chilling operatic vocals that add another dimension to the vocal assault,which also consists of a very sick sounding growl.The band wisely changes up the tempo,not falling into the endless blasting trap like many bands do.There are spoken word parts here too which definitely help set the atmosphere that Necronomicon intends to create.Tribal drumming breaks out here and there also and it sounds great put to music like this.Pharaoh Of Gods isn't perfect though.The middle eastern inspired melodic guitarwork all sounds similar,and it's hard to tell the songs apart occasionally.Also,the production,while very good for being produced by the band themselves,leaves the guitars missing a certain bite to them that is essential in this kind of music.They are ok,but need a little fine tuning IMO.Flaws aside,Necronomicon have created a great death metal album and their next album will truly be a classic if they continue as they are going right now.These guys(and girl) are the perfect alternative for those that aren't too crazy about Nile's extremely chaotic death metal,but still want to hear a refreshing change of pace from the endless line of Cannibal Corpse clones."