Saurian Exorcisms

On his solo debut, 2004's Saurian Meditation, longtime Nile guitarist Karl Sanders got to focus mostly on his fascination with all things Middle Eastern. But on his solo sophomore effort, 2009's Saurian Exorcisms, Sanders takes it to a whole other level. If you're a Nile fan expecting a few extreme metal detours, you're out of luck, I'm afraid. This is an album of Middle Eastern sounds from start to finish -- in fact, you don't have to know diddly about extreme metal to appreciate this disc, just an admirer of authentic-sounding world music, evidenced by such standouts as "Contemplate This on the Tree of Woe" or "Shira Gula Pazu." Impressively, Sanders pulls a Prince and plays all the instruments here himself -- acoustic guitars, guitar synth, keyboards, drums, percussion, and such uncommon instruments as the baglama saz and a glissentar, as well as (along with another chap) providing vocals/chants. Although some consider extreme metal to be a one-dimensional style, Karl Sanders proves that he's an exception to the rule, throughout Saurian Exorcisms. ~ Greg Prato