Ithyphallic (album) explained

Ithyphallic
Type:studio
Artist:Nile
Cover:Ithyphallic.jpg
Released:July 17, 2007
Recorded:February – April 2007
Studio:Sound Lab, Columbia, South Carolina
Genre:Technical death metal
Length:49:47
Label:Nuclear Blast
Producer:Neil Kernon
Prev Title:Legacy of the Catacombs
Prev Year:2007
Next Title:Those Whom the Gods Detest
Next Year:2009

Ithyphallic is the fifth studio album by American technical death metal band Nile. It was released on July 17, 2007 through Nuclear Blast, in both standard and digipak formats. It is the band's first album released on Nuclear Blast, since signing with them in May 2006. It is also the band's only album since Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka not to feature notes explaining the context of the lyrics. 1,000 limited edition copies of the album were released in a pyramid-shaped box containing the disc, several images, a certificate of ownership and a scroll containing the lyrics and liner notes from the album. The cover art of this album depicts a statue of the god of fertility "Min", being erected by Egyptian slaves. The title means "Erected Phallus" in ancient Greek.

Promotion

Throughout June and July, Nuclear Blast Records held a special contest to allow several fans to be able to listen to Ithyphallic. The rules were that they would have to be able to decipher a secret hieroglyphic message. If they won, they were given an email containing a link to a website where the album was posted for the free listening. On July 7, the contest ended, and the answer was revealed to be "papyrus."

Papyrus Containing the Spell to Preserve its Possessor Against Attacks from He Who is in the Water

Papyrus Containing the Spell to Preserve its Possessor Against Attacks from He Who is in the Water
Cover:Nile - Papyrus.jpg
Border:yes
Caption:Front cover of the music download version
Type:single
Artist:Nile
Album:Ithyphallic
B-Side:Laying Fire Upon Apep
Released:June 22, 2007
Genre:Technical death metal
Length:2:56
Label:Nuclear Blast
Producer:Neil Kernon

Papyrus Containing the Spell to Preserve its Possessor Against Attacks from He Who is in the Water is Nile's second single, originally released only as a music download through Nuclear Blast's website. It contains the title-track, a rehearsal of "Laying Fire Upon Apep", and a video featuring a drum session from Ithyphallic.[1]

In April 2008, Night of the Vinyl Dead Records announced the release of what they call as "the first-ever brutal death metal-shaped picture disc".[2] The 7-inch version of "Papyrus..." features the title-track on the A-side, with "As He Creates So He Destroys" and an instrumental version of "Papyrus.." as B-sides. It was limited to 500 copies hand-numbered on backing card.

2007 7" Vinyl Track ListingSide ASide B
  • 2008 7" Vinyl Track ListingSide ASide B
  • Historical and fictional references

    Chart positions

    YearChartPosition
    2007Finnish Chart
    1. 13
    2007German Charts
    1. 76
    2007Billboard Top 200
    1. 162
    2007Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart
    1. 4

    Personnel

    Additional musician
    Production

    Notes and References

    1. News: Nile: Japanese Version of 'Ithyphallic' to Include Bonus Tracks. https://archive.today/20120915105414/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=76083. dead. September 15, 2012. July 4, 2007. Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. March 22, 2009.
    2. News: Nile: 'Papyrus Containing the Spell...' Picture Disc Now Available. April 29, 2008. Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. March 22, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20080501042441/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.NET/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95942. May 1, 2008. dead.
    3. http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/aug2007/nile.aspx
    4. "There had, it seems, been some truth in chimerical old Borellus when he wrote of preparing from even the most antique remains certain "Essential Saltes" from which the shade of a long-dead living thing might be raised up." The Case of Charles Dexter Ward Chapter V