All Photos By Wendy Jasper
It should be no surprise that by the time I got to the Scout Bar for the Age of Vile Divinities Tour with NILE and INCANTATION that it was packed. Metal fans hungry for shows after two years of uncertainty from Covid-19 were ecstatic about the return of South Carolina based death metal pioneers NILE. Joining them on tour is another giant of the genre, INCANTATION and in support were newcomers I AM and SANSUISUGABOGG.
The night went by must faster than anticipated; perhaps it was Covid restrictions or something else, but when I arrived at the venue at 7:15 PM, both openers had played. SANSUISUGABOGG was finishing their last song as we walked in. This put INCANTATION on the stage much earlier than expected. Of course, at my age I often joke that shows start way past my bedtime so this worked out nicely for me!
Band founder and guitarist John McEntee is joined by a solid lineup in guitarist Luke Shively, bassist Scott Pivarnik and drummer Charlie Koryn. They launched into what would be a solid set that would cover old favorites as well as tunes from their latest release, Sect of Vile Divinities. First up was “Guardians of The Primeval” and moved quickly into “Carrion Prophecy”. The band had high energy and this line-up is a pleasure to watch and hear.
“Entrails of The Hag Queen” is a new favorite. I was glad to hear it played in the first half of the set. Luke Shively has switched instruments; he was previously the band’s touring bassist. He has effortlessly switched to guitar (he is the singer and guitarist for his original band DISMEMBERMENT…check them out) and is now a permanent member of the band. “Anoint the Chosen” and “Devoured Death” really show how well Charlie and Scott work well together as the rhythm section and “The Fallen” and “Fury’s Manifesto” kept the crowd on their feet.
My personal favorite, “Nocturnal Dominium” carried the second half of the show well and showed how tight the band is even after a long hiatus. The show was rounded out by “Ibex Moon”, “Impending Diabolical Conquest” and “Siege Hive”. This was a solid set and it is worthy of great praise. INCANTATION are, quite simply, a phenomenal band. There is no one else quite like them. While there are a great many death metal bands from all over the world, I would still choose to see this one above all others.
NILE need no introduction. I have always been a fan though it has been quite a few years since I have seen them live. I first saw them in the early 1990’s and I was happy to hear a diversified set list from them as well. When bands have such a well rounded catalog it takes talent just to decide what to play and Karl Sanders and company did just that.
Songs like “Sacrifice Unto Sebek” and “Defiling the Gates of Ishtar” start the set off strong and remind us why this band has been around so long. “Long Shadows of Dread” and “Call to Destruction” kept the room spinning with moshing and headbanging.
The band has recently signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records but they don’t have their new music ready quite yet. This tour consisted of the last release for Nuclear Blast Records, Vile Nilotic Rites (2019). Covid squashed tour plans for the record so the band is picking up where they left off. That title track went over smoothly and the band segwayed into personal favorites “Sarcophagus” and “Black Seeds of Vengeance“.
I am so glad to see bands back on the road despite the barriers that have been thrown up the past few years. NILE and INCANTATION were refreshed and ready to perform and I can’t wait to see what is next for them both. This was a brilliant site to behold and if you have never seen either band, you must remedy this situation quickly!
In the interim, this show and the anticipation of new music will tide us over.
Check out some more photos from the show!
All Photos By Wendy Jasper
