Pennsylvania’s Rivers of Nihil have only been around for about fifteen years, and they’ve released only a handful of albums; however, they’ve already proven to be among the greatest progressive/psychedelic death metal bands of all time. Their initial two albums showed a lot of promise, but it was 2018’s ingeniously bonkers Where Owls Know My Name and 2021’s more subdued The Work that truly launched them to the top of their class.
That said, Rivers of Nihil may’ve just topped themselves with their fifth studio LP, Rivers of Nihil, since it strikes a virtually flawless and relentlessly mesmerizing balance between sheer brutality, mind-boggling complexity, and downright addictive clean hooks. Whether it surpasses Where Owls Know My Name as the group’s magnum opus is certainly up for debate, but there’s little doubt that Rivers of Nihil is an astonishingly confident, purposeful, and gripping ride.
It’s often said that self-titled records act as a new statement of purpose for artists, as they can suggest that their creators are moving into a new era in terms of their members, style, etc. Rivers of Nihil definitely has that intention because it’s their first LP since losing vocalist Jake Dieffenbach and guitarist Jon Topore (and adding ex-Black Crown Initiate guitarist Andy Thomas).
As guitarist Brody Uttley aptly explains: “I feel like these songs are the perfect blend of all our albums, with all the fat cut away. 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 Where Owls Know My Name and The Work-type experimental stuff, but with a more refreshed perspective on those styles for the current era of the band.”
Indeed, the record sounds invigorated and all-encompassing without losing sight of what’s made the group so distinctive and reliable. That they’re able to pick up precisely where they left off and provide arguably their finest hour yet with a significantly different lineup makes Rivers of Nihil even more incredible.
It’s no wonder why opener “The Sub-Orbital Blues” was also chosen to be the first single from the LP, as it kicks off with perhaps the catchiest clean chorus Rivers of Nihil have ever dished out. Seriously, it’s extremely simple but utterly addictive (especially with its multilayered singing), and the guttural screams, fierce riffs, and hyperactive rhythms that surround it are nearly as enthralling. The use of angelic bellows and saxophone accentuations enhances its absorbing vibrancy, too.
However, that doesn’t mean “The Sub-Orbital Blues” is the best track here, as both the “proggier” cosmic mellowness of the Work-esque “Water & Time” and the unpredictable range of the anthemic “House of Light” give it a run for its money. No matter which you prefer, all three easily rank among Rivers of Nihil’s greatest compositions, as they embody Uttley’s point about the album offering a wonderfully filtered and focused distillation of the quartet’s magic.
Thankfully, the rest of the sequence earns its place alongside those standouts, with majorly hellish chapters such as “Dustman,” “Criminals,” and “American Death” still providing a fair amount of calming moments and wide-ranging textures amidst the chaos. Likewise, more dynamic pieces such as “Despair Church,” “The Logical End,” and “Rivers of Nihil” intersperse plenty of aggression into their zany detours and colorful instrumentation (which may also include cello and banjo).
There really isn’t a weak moment on Rivers of Nihil. In fact – and at the risk of sounding hyperbolic – it’s an almost immaculate journey that every fan of progressive death metal needs to hear. No matter what’s been lost or gained with the changing of members, Rivers of Nihil haven’t sacrificed a modicum of quality in the process. On the contrary, they’ve returned with a stronger tenacity and ability to demonstrate why they’re at the forefront of the genre.
If you’re already a fan of theirs, you’re guaranteed to love it, and if not, well, get ready to sing its praises as soon as you can pick your jaw up off the floor.
Release Date: March 30th, 2025
Record Label: Metal Blade Records
Genre: Progressive Death Metal
Musicians:
- Adam Biggs / Vocals, bass
- Jared Klein / Drums, vocals
- Andy Thomas / Guitars, vocals
- Brody Uttley / Guitars, piano, keys, programming
Rivers Of Nihil Track-list:
- The Sub-Orbital Blues
- Dustman
- Criminals
- Despair Church
- Water & Time
- House of Light
- Evidence
- American Death
- The Logical End
- Rivers of Nihil
Order Rivers of Nihil here
Rivers of Nihil is a new benchmark for modern prog-death and a clear statement of purpose and perseverance from the newly retooled quartet (who remain masters of what they do). While no work of art – in any medium – is perfect, Rivers of Nihil comes damn close to it
- Songwriting
- Musicianship
- Originality
- Production
