Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
Pennsylvania’s progressive death metal progenitors Rivers of Nihil are upping the ante with the self-titled album Rivers of Nihil
Along with new members, Rivers of Nihil also showcases additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone; Stephan Lopez on banjo; McFarland on cello to bring to the forefront a collective of a more technical approach.
First offering of the album The Sub-Orbital Blues was first heard back in 2023 which was also the debut of the vocals from Andy Thomas, so the placing was only fitting as the smooth jazz feel really paves the way for unbridled intensity on the duo of Dustman and Criminals which also have a wonderful cohesiveness with both tracks being the exact same length with the latter incorporating some divine atmospherics
There is a cohesive, ambitious and meditative aura around Despair Church that really captures the overall aesthetic of this self-titled offering and is easily one of, if not the albums crowning glory with Water & Time furthering the earlier point with foreboding and ambient tones provide a contrasting, dynamic shift enriched with emotion which still manages to be quintessential Rivers.
House of Light provides a snapshot of the cinematic and effortlessly then pairs smooth with sprinkles of intensity which is partnered with the blistering delivery of Evidence – a future festival favourite.
I feel like these songs are the perfect blend of all our albums, with all the fat cut away,” says founding member/guitarist Brody Uttley. “There are more technical songs that call back to The Conscious Seed of Light and Monarchy sound, but with a more mature understanding of how to pace a song. There’s a fair bit of the Owls and The Work-type experimental stuff, but with a more refreshed perspective on those styles for the current era of the band.”
American Death continues the dominant charge with technical prowess and subtle tinge of Faith No More in its chorus with penultimate track The Logical End interweaving through influences and soundscapes that give the self-titled release an enriching depth concluding with Rivers of Nihil , again placing maximises the effect which is used as one final example of how the band a honed to a fine point their unrelenting touring schedule over the past few years into a bubble and burst that within a studio setting to deliver a fresh approach that would fit neatly into their current discography.
Rivers of Nihil track listing:
1 The Sub-Orbital Blues
2 Dustman
3 Criminals
4 Despair Church
5 Water & Time
6 House of Light
7 Evidence
8 American Death
9 The Logical End
10. Rivers of Nihil
Line-up:
Adam Biggs Bass Guitar, Vocals
Andy Thomas Guitar, Vocals
Brody Uttley Guitar, Piano, Keys, Programming
Jared Klein Drums, Vocals
