On September seventh myself and Alexander Pallis made our way down to Manchester's Sound Control to watch two legends of the old school Death Metal scene, Nile and Suffocation. These two bands touring together is quite possibly any extreme Metal fans dream come true to be very honest and being given the chance to review and interview these bands as well made this a dream come true for yours truly. What can you expect from both of these bands is nothing short of a show to give you a taste of what really extremity is all about and that is exactly what we witnessed ladies and gentlemen.

Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances we were unable to review the first two bands or snap any pictures, but we do have two twenty minute long interviews with both NILE and SUFFOCATION for your enjoyment.

Being my third time watching this band I can say that SUFFOCATION have an energy that is so unique and so raw that I feel many bands have tried in the past to copy that very chemistry of heavy and destructive vocals and riffs but sadly in the end have failed for there is only one Suffocation ladies and gentlemen and their bringing it with each performance.

From the start SUFFOCATION bring it hard with the track "Thrones Of Blood" from the band's third record entitled "Pierced from Within". for a lot of fans I would think that this would bring nostalgia for many who grew up with the band, having the band play older material rather then just newer material shows that the band want to give the fans a show that is a fine mix between the beginning and what they have at this moment in time. As the show continues I feel this energy flowing through the crowd of wild and loyal fans, an energy that for me as a fan of this particular sub genre of metal is familiar and also some what calming, just because it's where you belong, that is the feeling I get with these kinds of shows and I feel that if anything Death metal fans are some of the most loyal you will ever find as well as some of the most friendly to boot.

To have all of these fans watching SUFFOCATION tearing it up on stage that is when things become clear that there is nothing in this world better for loosing stress then watching these guys bring a set of songs that will destroy. Through the band's set we see the band with a different vocalist than before, as with SUFFOCATION's last UK run they were fronted by Dying Fetus frontman John Gallagher; this time around the band featured Ricky Myers of legendary Death Metal band Disgorge. Seeing this guy on vocals live is fucking incredible; we see a guy who brings something to the band and shows Manchester what brutality looks and sounds like in its purest form to date.

Setlist:
Kilos in my Bag (by Stitches)
1. Thrones of Blood
2. Breeding the Spawn
3. Mass Obliteration
4. As Grace Descends
5. Liege of Inveracity
6. Abomination Reborn
7. Pierced from Within
8. Catatonia
9. Effigy of the Forgotten
10. Funeral Inception
11. Infecting the Crypts

We come to the nights final band, one of which is a band that I still believe to be one of the driving forces in Technical Death Metal in today's music as with Nile there are ideas and then there are ideas for whenever Nile have recorded we see the band evolve not only with their music but their own evolution as musicians and this is why when you hear the bands latest record What should not be Unearthed you will hear just that and much more, but even still with what we see with Nile's live performance here at the Sound control we will see a set of old and new material in a clash of creative ideas.

From the start of NILE's set we see the band open with the very song that got me into the band to begin with, "Sacrifice Unto Sebek". Normally the band have this song somewhere down the line of their set but this time we see them open with it which personally, I feel, for this type of setlist, is interesting and awesome as I get to hear one of my favorites straight off the bat. From what we see NILE bring a set of songs that consist of some of their best material as well as some songs we don't get to see played often; either way the combination of this setlist is without a doubt one of their best and I really feel that it was in mind of the fans for this tour which shows that NILE really is a band that listens to their fans.

What makes this show stand out from the others is that this is a clash of two titanic bands who love doing what they do and having a great time while doing it at that for what's a tour if you're not going to have a good time right. Going backstage and meeting the bands prior to the interviews I found that the atmosphere was chilled and relaxed while at the same time, giving off an air of professionalism. I really admire bands that can be so calm and collected while at the same time playing aggressive and brutal music; I personally feel that this is the true nature of Death Metal, being able to relax and have a great time. NILE's set was by far one of the best times that I have seen them live, showing the kind of energy that you would expect from a band with such a carrier behind them as well as a discography of some of the heaviest material you can find. Honestly, I would say to any fans just getting into them to catch them if you can because I can guarantee you a great time.

Setlist:
Ushabti Reanimator
1. Sacrifice unto Sebek
2. Defiling the Gates of Ishtar
3. Kafir!
4. Hittite Dung Incantation
5. Call to Destruction
6. In the name of Amun
7. The blessed Dead
8. Ithyphallic
9. The Howling of the Jinn
10. The Inevitable Degradation of Flesh
11. Evil to cast out Evil
12. Sarcophagus
13.Lashed to the slave stick
Invocation of the gate of Aat-Ankh-es-en-Amenti
14. Black seeds of Vengeance
Khetti satha shemsu