Rivers Of Nihil Self-Titled CD Review
On May 30th, Metal Blade Records will unleash the fifth full-length from Pennsylvania’s Progressive Death Metal export, Rivers of Nihil. This time around, the band drops the pretense and goes straight for the jugular with a Self-Titled release, often a move that signals a band is making a statement, solidifying their identity, or starting a new chapter. Could that be what Rivers of Nihil are doing here? Maybe. Probably. Definitely... something.
Full disclosure: I’ve apparently been living under several rocks (geologically speaking) because this was my first proper exposure to the band. When this album hit my inbox, I went in totally blind. On first listen, I wasn’t sure what the hell I was hearing. It was dense, technical, and way outside of my usual wheelhouse, but undeniably intriguing.
Sonically, it’s clear these guys are playing at a level far beyond the average Death Metal outfit. Fans of Allegaeon will find a lot to appreciate here, the two bands share a certain surgical precision and melodic edge. There’s also a definite Meshuggah vibe in the heavier, chug-driven sections. But make no mistake, this isn’t just a barrage of down-tuned riffs and blast beats. This album has range.
Case in point: the clean vocals. There’s quite a bit of them. More than I expected. At times, they even lean toward something that feels... dare I say, pop-adjacent? It’s a bold move for a band rooted in Death Metal, and one that might turn off some purists. I’ll admit, it caught me off guard. Same goes for the horns. Yes, horns. The first time I heard them, I genuinely wondered if I’d accidentally queued up Kenny G. But the more I listened, the more it clicked. These elements aren’t gimmicks, they’re deliberate, well-placed, and add a distinct texture that sets Rivers of Nihil apart from the pack.
For fans of Opeth, Meshuggah, or Allegaeon, this album offers plenty to sink your teeth into. It’s not a record that reveals itself on the first spin, it’s layered, nuanced, and a bit of an acquired taste. But once it grabs you, it doesn’t let go.
Standout tracks: “Water and Time,” “Rivers of Nihil,” “The Sub-Orbital Blues,” and “American Death.”