Their first album was released in 1998, so maybe that was what you listened to? Honestly, I'm not really a fan of that album, it's pretty simple compared to their newer stuff - I think they've improved with every release, with maybe a slight dip at 2007's Ithyphallic. Definitely check out their latest album and Annihilation of the Wicked, it's a far cry from their first album. Here's the title track from AotW, which is the song which got me hooked in the first place. It's so badass.
Also, do you mean blast beats? You might not have that problem with the newer stuff - their current drummer is incredibly awesome, and pretty creative compared to stuff on the earlier releases. The drumming is definitely one of the highlights of the more recent albums for me.
Yeah, it was Nile's first album, weird, it was really popular around here (for death metal that is!) right from the get go, maybe cuz they're north American I guess.
Yeah I gave a listen to one of the songs you linked, they definately improved imo too. It's not something I'd buy, but I only heard one song, maybe I like other songs more. Currently though I'm not actually on the hunt for new music. I'm currently still exploring all the new Touhou music. Unlike many metal fans (or music fans in general really), I actually don't give a rats ass about vocals or lyrics. Touhou has some really nice metal out there with no vocals so I'm checking that stuff out instead. I also don't really care about player talent. As long the composition/arrangement is good, I'm happy. I don't attend live concerts, my ears couldn't take it, yes, even with earplugs, my ears are pussies, maybe if I got those big ear muffler things, *shrugs*.
I kinda forgot to mention some of my own personal fave bands, derp derp. Anyway, I like metal, yay. I got too many fave bands to list, but I'll try to list some, bear in mind I enjoy black metal the most often, but am not really all into glorifying evil or whatever like most of its fans are. Nor do I automatically like a black metal band simply because the image is cool cuz their production effing stinks (cough darkthrone cough):
Stormlord:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tysvzUk-AcYLimbonic Art:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xntuctGnAr0&feature=relatedGraveworm: (don't say you like this band in black metal circles, you'll get ganked if you do)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvkxrk8eVUk&feature=relatedUnfortunately, Graveworms newer albums have been relatively weak, I haven't really checked em out for like 5-6 years though.
Some of the prettier stuff I like:
Silentium: (sometimes they make the 'u' a 'v' for some reason *shrugs*..it's the same band though)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WblTZXR4-5o&feature=relatedIt's a shame he uses clean vocals most of the time, his "dirty" vocals are actually some of the best sounding IMO.
Their newer albums are also good, but definately more gothy and less metal. I haven't heard them since seducia though.
More "pretty" metal:
Eternal tears of sorrow:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeZ9FOCV_M8
Of course I like good old oldschool standard death metal too:
Bolt thrower:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC-Sn53UMCAThe album is certainly not old, but I use it because Bolt thrower, after all these years, is still very much the same as they were.
This band IMO is way ahead of its time, I don't mean that as a compliment (or a bad thing), but they remarkably sound like most successful swedish bands 10 years their jumior, I like these guys though, and most of the current (err 5-10 years ago) successful swedish bands sound similar and boringish though:
At the Gates:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWI6stYkwSc&feature=relatedAnd my fave Canadian band (Most Canadian bands suck IMO. boo):
Kataklysm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7FgQscltl8Imma stop now, I got like 50 other bands I'd call faves lol.. Chances are nobody will listen to one >=P