“American Death” is the latest single from progressive death metal progenitors, Rivers Of Nihil. The ferocious new track – a true-to-form beater that’s sure to slay live – comes by way of the band’s eponymous fifth full-length, set for release on May 30 via Metal Blade Records.
Comments founding guitarist Brody Uttley. “‘American Death’ is a title that we’ve been throwing around and printing on our T-shirts since 2013. We figured it was finally time to write a song with that title, and given the subject matter of the lyrics, it would only make sense for this song to be a true ass beater. It’s definitely the most true form ‘heavy’ song of these singles, so we are very much looking forward to playing it live.”
Sixteen years and five albums into the Pennsylvania band’s career, Rivers Of Nihil is upping the ante with Rivers Of Nihil. Traditionally, a self-titled record can signal a return to basics and/or a fresh beginning, and in ten powerful songs, it’s clear that both those factors are in play. Founding bassist Adam Biggs became the band’s new lead vocalist/bassist in 2023; the same year marked the appearance of additional guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently on Rivers Of Nihil. Producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio captured the new dynamics across more than fifty minutes of music.
On June 15, 2023, the band released a new single, “The Sub-Orbital Blues,” the first track with Biggs handling lead vocals following the 2022 departure of singer Jake Dieffenbach. It was also the first track to feature Thomas. A second single, “Hellbirds,” dropped on October 19 of that year. On April 29, 2024, the band released the cut “Criminals” and an accompanying music video. Both “Criminals” and “The Sub-Orbital Blues” appear on Rivers Of Nihil.
Rivers Of Nihil was created in a very “rock n’ roll” manner. “On 2021’s The Work, I wrote a lot of the record on the piano and then the band filled in the gaps,” explains Uttley. “On this new record, I wanted to make sure that this stuff would hit hard live with just the four of us before adding in all of the sparkly auxiliary ‘frosting’ on top.”
Rivers Of Nihil also showcases additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone, Stephan Lopez on banjo, McFarland on cello, and a slate of other guest vocalists. Despite the fresh approach on Rivers Of Nihil however, the album fits neatly into the band’s discography. With Where Owls Know My Name (2018), Rivers Of Nihil transcended all labels applied to them, and with its 2021 follow-up, The Work, they forged further into new territory with Metal Injection calling the latter album “the group’s most cohesive, ambitious, meditative, and varied effort, with greater uses of philosophical significance and transcendental respites.”
Rivers Of Nihil will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
– Bleach & Ammonia (Light Blue Smoke – US)
– Adenochrome (Tiger’s Eye – US)
– Water & Time (Blue / Green Smoke – US)
– Stomach Acid (Blue / Yellow Smoke – US)
– House of Light (Yellow / Green Marbled – US Tour Exclusive)
– 180g Black (EU)
– Radiant Light (Neon Yellow Marbled – EU)
– Dark Teal w/ Orange & Yellow Splatter (EU – Ltd. 500)
– Gold w/ Black Dust (EU Impericon Exclusive – Ltd. 200)
Find pre-orders here.
Rivers Of Nihil tracklisting:
“The Sub-Orbital Blues”
“Dustman”
“Criminals”
“Despair Church”
“Water & Time”
“House Of Light”
“Evidence”
“American Death”
“The Logical End”
“Rivers Of Nihil”
“House Of Light” video:
“Criminals” video:
“The Sub-Orbital Blues” video:
Rivers Of Nihil is currently in the midst of their Aggressive Progressive EU/UK headlining tour with support from Cynic, Beyond Creation, and labelmates, Dååth. In May, the band will return to North American stages for another month-long headliner with support provided by Holy Fawn, Inter Arma, and Glacial Tomb. Dates, tickets and VIP packages are available here.
Rivers Of Nihil are:
Adam Biggs – bass guitar, vocals
Andy Thomas – guitar, vocals
Brody Uttley – guitar, piano, keys, programming
Jared Klein – drums, vocals
(Photo – Mike Truehart)
The post RIVERS OF NIHIL Release “American Death” Single And Music Video appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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Comments founding guitarist Brody Uttley. “‘American Death’ is a title that we’ve been throwing around and printing on our T-shirts since 2013. We figured it was finally time to write a song with that title, and given the subject matter of the lyrics, it would only make sense for this song to be a true ass beater. It’s definitely the most true form ‘heavy’ song of these singles, so we are very much looking forward to playing it live.”
Sixteen years and five albums into the Pennsylvania band’s career, Rivers Of Nihil is upping the ante with Rivers Of Nihil. Traditionally, a self-titled record can signal a return to basics and/or a fresh beginning, and in ten powerful songs, it’s clear that both those factors are in play. Founding bassist Adam Biggs became the band’s new lead vocalist/bassist in 2023; the same year marked the appearance of additional guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently on Rivers Of Nihil. Producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio captured the new dynamics across more than fifty minutes of music.
On June 15, 2023, the band released a new single, “The Sub-Orbital Blues,” the first track with Biggs handling lead vocals following the 2022 departure of singer Jake Dieffenbach. It was also the first track to feature Thomas. A second single, “Hellbirds,” dropped on October 19 of that year. On April 29, 2024, the band released the cut “Criminals” and an accompanying music video. Both “Criminals” and “The Sub-Orbital Blues” appear on Rivers Of Nihil.
Rivers Of Nihil was created in a very “rock n’ roll” manner. “On 2021’s The Work, I wrote a lot of the record on the piano and then the band filled in the gaps,” explains Uttley. “On this new record, I wanted to make sure that this stuff would hit hard live with just the four of us before adding in all of the sparkly auxiliary ‘frosting’ on top.”
Rivers Of Nihil also showcases additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone, Stephan Lopez on banjo, McFarland on cello, and a slate of other guest vocalists. Despite the fresh approach on Rivers Of Nihil however, the album fits neatly into the band’s discography. With Where Owls Know My Name (2018), Rivers Of Nihil transcended all labels applied to them, and with its 2021 follow-up, The Work, they forged further into new territory with Metal Injection calling the latter album “the group’s most cohesive, ambitious, meditative, and varied effort, with greater uses of philosophical significance and transcendental respites.”
Rivers Of Nihil will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
– Bleach & Ammonia (Light Blue Smoke – US)
– Adenochrome (Tiger’s Eye – US)
– Water & Time (Blue / Green Smoke – US)
– Stomach Acid (Blue / Yellow Smoke – US)
– House of Light (Yellow / Green Marbled – US Tour Exclusive)
– 180g Black (EU)
– Radiant Light (Neon Yellow Marbled – EU)
– Dark Teal w/ Orange & Yellow Splatter (EU – Ltd. 500)
– Gold w/ Black Dust (EU Impericon Exclusive – Ltd. 200)
Find pre-orders here.
Rivers Of Nihil tracklisting:
“The Sub-Orbital Blues”
“Dustman”
“Criminals”
“Despair Church”
“Water & Time”
“House Of Light”
“Evidence”
“American Death”
“The Logical End”
“Rivers Of Nihil”
“House Of Light” video:
“Criminals” video:
“The Sub-Orbital Blues” video:
Rivers Of Nihil is currently in the midst of their Aggressive Progressive EU/UK headlining tour with support from Cynic, Beyond Creation, and labelmates, Dååth. In May, the band will return to North American stages for another month-long headliner with support provided by Holy Fawn, Inter Arma, and Glacial Tomb. Dates, tickets and VIP packages are available here.
Rivers Of Nihil are:
Adam Biggs – bass guitar, vocals
Andy Thomas – guitar, vocals
Brody Uttley – guitar, piano, keys, programming
Jared Klein – drums, vocals
(Photo – Mike Truehart)
The post RIVERS OF NIHIL Release “American Death” Single And Music Video appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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