Review by Adam M on January 23, 2026.

This album further refines the excellence this band brought forth from albums like In Their Darkened Shrines.  There is a need to be Middle-Eastern sounding as possible and this makes the album sound grand and epic in nature.  There is a view that the band are refining their sound and this shines through on this opus.

The musicianship is strong with Egyptian sounding guitars and very strong drumming.  There is a very distinct production job that elevates the songs to a higher plane.  The music is furious and accompanied by musicianship that is equally poignant.  There are very few lulls in the songs and this remains quite vicious and catchy.

The flaw to the album lies in how it does not greatly improve upon the things shown on albums like In Their Darkened Shrines and Black Seeds of Vengeance.  There is more Egyptian sounding rhythm and nothing really new to be found.  It is simply more of the same, but refined to perfection.  With a little more innovation this band could be incredibly interesting.

There is a lot to like with this release overall.  It has the right ingredients for an interesting death metal release that is poignant and colourful.  There is a solid atmosphere, highlight tracks like ”Cast Down the Heretic” and a boatload of charisma.  Fans of the band is previous releases will be enraptured.  It is really the realization of the band’s vision.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by Alexi on May 6, 2005.

Some people became worried when Nile’s legendary drummer Tony Laureano left the band following two tours in support of In Their Darkened Shrines, the band’s last full length album. These fears were all but worsened when the band was put on hiatus, allowing Nile mastermind Karl Sanders to record his solo album. Nile entered the recording studio early this year to record their fourth full length album with the relatively unknown Greek protégée drummer George Kollias.

What came out of these sessions was Annihilation of the Wicked, the bands latest and most potent release to date. For this record, Nile moved the Egyptian influence completely to the background, with the exception of a few short passages. With the Egyptian influence in the background as a subtlety, the listener is ferociously attacked with some of the heaviest rhythms Sanders and Co. have ever written. Drummer George Kollias displays not only his speed behind the kit, but also his grace as he is able to compliment every note produced by the guitar riff machines.

The structures of the songs are structured like a journey in that you go from one place to another, but nothing is unfamiliar as the songs always have a part which the listener can relate to. Songs such as “Cast Down the Heretic” prove that Sanders can still pull off lightning fast leads which culminate into a beautifully composed melody.

With Annihilation of the Wicked, it seems as though Nile has finally found their sound and style. Moving the Egyptian theme to the background was a wise move for this record not only because it allows Sanders and second guitarist Dallas Toler-Wade to shine, but also gives the death metal fans who couldn’t relate to the Egyptian influence a chance feel the true brutality of Nile. This album is a must have for metal fans who enjoy anything technical and heavy.


Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 10
Originality: 9
Overall: 10

Rating: 9.6 out of 10

Review by Jeger on June 17, 2025.

Paganizer? Shit, man, if you don't know then it's time to get on board the flesh train… Since 1998, these guys have been unshackling some of the most abominable, the most true and the most refined DM albums the Swedish scene has ever produced. Having taken influence from the heavyweights of Swedish Death Metal: Dismember, Entombed and Grave, Paganizer has been a proud institution; serving up like human innards on a silver platter the kind of DM that makes us proud to be enthusiasts of the genre. A masterful balance between true Death Metal style and contemporary dynamics has made Paganizer, in many ways, a perfect Death Metal band. Band visionary and vocalist/guitarist, Rogga Johansson, over the course of the past 27 years has proven to be the most prolific artist within the genre. No bullshit! This dude has played in about a thousand other bands, and Paganizer's sister project, Wombbath, is yet another prideful institution. Hands down, Paganizer is the most underrated band to have ever butchered, flayed or sliced. In 2019, Paganizer unleashed what is in my opinion their greatest record - one of the greatest in history - a monstrosity of an album named "The Tower Of The Morbid" via the modern day Extreme Metal powerhouse known as Transcending Obscurity.

This is the kind of shit that will make you completely forget about American Death Metal. A savage beast of a recording; one that just shits on the competition. Open wide, bitches… Just that fucking good. A violent vortex of brutality to behold in the opening track, "Flesh Tornado". Standing in awe of its destructive power and repulsed by its repugnance. So much rhythm and so many fucking grooves. Solos that aren't the product of one attempting to wow the listener. We're taking leads that are form-fitted to the cut, that simply enrich the experience. The album's quality in engineering is of a masterclass, and its jaw-dropping cover art was illustrated by none other than the legendary Dan Seagrave who is most notorious for his early work with Suffocation. I've always been of the mind that cover art is extremely important, particularly within the realm of Death Metal. Dan surely does not disappoint here.

"Drowning In Sand" kicks off with a wailer of a lead just before more of those obliterating riffs ensue. The majesty of Death Metal in its most dynamic form to take in; stock full of heavy bass and atrocious cadences that batter and bruise without a shred of mercy to spare… Closing out with some tasty melodies; savory and as succulent as fresh blood straight from the jugular. The following track, "Redemptionless" - a Death-Doom-reveling juggernaut of a track that brings to mind bands like Asphyx and early Pestilence. A true fucking banger akin to tracks off of Deicide's "Once Upon the Cross", only more refined and more compositionally nuanced.

What I love most about Paganizer is their unabashed affinity with melody. Shamelessly divvying out melodious progression after melodious progression during "They Came To Die" - an almost Gothenburg type of track that hits in some ways like early At the Gates or Dark Tranquillity. A most proud Swedish DM tradition in action, and it couldn't be sweeter. Perfection… So many bands overreach for it, but Paganizer just makes it look easy; easy as slitting someone's tender neck flesh with a fresh razor. A rotten Death & Roll-heralding cut in "Beneath The Gauze", as I'm reminded of Wolverine Blues era Entombed, but not for too long, for it's back to the task at hand! And that is unbridled brutality, unadulterated swagger and perpetual mayhem.

Eleven tracks spanning over the course of just 38 minutes. Perfect for those of you who suffer from ADHD like yours truly. However, "The Tower Of The Morbid", due to its many shifts in tempo and alternating progressions make it seem like it's much more lengthy. Fat, happy and satisfied shall you be after this one. Someone must have told these dudes that they don't know how to riff out! Because these riffs are as tasty as they come.

Paganizer just has the Death Metal game down pat. There's no other band quite like them and there is arguably no other Death Metal album that's as fundamentally sound and as engaging as "The Tower Of The Morbid". Like a Jim Beam drinker who discovers Maker's Mark for the first time or the slice of butter atop a juicy ribeye. From top to bottom and from inside out, a flawless record. Paganizer are on their way to becoming legends themselves. And don't forget to check out their latest album, "Flesh Requiem". Another specimen of a Swedish Death Metal outing. "The Tower Of The Morbid" - dig it like a grave!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Krys on September 9, 2019.

Is it possible that an old chainsaw peaks at its performance after 20 years of use? Swedish death maniacs Paganizer prove that age is just a number and well-oiled HM-2 machine can stand toe to toe with the latest trends or innovations.

The Tower of the Morbid doesn't hold anything back, giving us just 8 seconds warning from air raid siren before bombarding our senses with 38 minutes of hefty guitar chugging over devastating guttural burps from Rogga Johansson. While this Swedish grove attack wasn't unexpected, the fluid use of the variety of elements caught me a little of guard (in a good way). Seemingly same old formula of Scandinavian melody with American brute force, but this time it was used with surgical precision spanning all spectrums of death metal and performed by seasoned musicians at the peak of their craft. From opening, smashing 'Flesh Tornado', galloping through 'Apocalypse Writings' or definition of Swedish death metal 'Drowning in Sand', Paganizer rips without wasting time on intros or fillers. And that's just first quarter of the record. 'Redemptionless' adds slower Bolt Thrower like barbarity while 'They Came To Die' can stand tall to the best of what Amon Amarth has ever had to offer. Countless head-banging moments are deliciously spread out across the record with catchy hooks and melodic leads that not only score high in repeatability department but also get better with every listen. I'll be honest, I didn't love this record after the first spin but now it's the most often replayed albums in past 2 weeks!

Production wise, The Tower of the Morbid is filthy heavy, yet with clearly audible punishing blows from gurgling like a boiling blood bass and punchy drums, that set the backbone to ferocious guitar attack and crushing vocals. And Dan Seagrave cover art is not too shabby either.

Who knew that over 20 years old Paganizer can inject fresh blood to good, old Swedish death metal and lead the charge with extreme assault that will challenge year's end best top lists. Well done gentlemen, well done!

Rating: 8.5 out of 10