Rivers of Nihil: A Deep Dive into Their Tech-Death Evolution and New Album
Rivers of Nihil, the Pennsylvania tech-death band hailed as Metal Injection's Artist Of The Month, are about to unleash their self-titled record on May 30 via Metal Blade. But before diving into their latest work, guitarist Brody Uttley sat down to dissect the band's entire discography, revealing the evolution and defining moments of their sound.
Uttley candidly reflects on The Conscious Seed of Light, describing it as an experimentation phase where they were "trying to figure out what kind of band we wanted to be." He notes the diverse influences and the presence of older material, highlighting "Rain Eater" and "Soil and Seed" as standouts.
He considers Monarchy the true start of the modern Rivers of Nihil, marking a crucial moment after the departure of founding guitarist Jon Kunz. "Monarchy was a real proving stage for me as a songwriter," he explains, adding that this album cemented the band's signature atmospheric sound and progressive elements.
Where Owls Know My Name marked a paradigm shift, influenced by Steven Wilson's "Hand. Cannot. Erase." Uttley recalls, "I started listening to a lot more prog... it broke my brain open." The album saw them embracing experimentation, leading to unexpected success with tracks like the title track, which initially was titled “No Blast Beats”.
The Work, largely written during COVID lockdowns, saw the band pushing boundaries even further. Uttley describes it as "a massive prog album" with industrial undertones, drawing inspiration from bands like Nine Inch Nails and Muse. Despite its polarizing nature, he views it as "the call, and The Work was the response" to "Owls”.
Looking ahead to their new album, Rivers of Nihil, Uttley emphasizes reflection and refinement. "This record is kind of like an amalgamation of everything that we've done thus far, plus something extra," he says, focusing on the core elements of the band while incorporating additional layers like saxophones and synthesizers. He also expressed excitement about Adam taking over lead vocals.
The band aims to build upon its strengths, pushing their music to new heights. With Andy Thomas contributing to the writing process and Adam Biggs stepping into the role of lead vocalist, this new chapter promises to be a refreshing exploration of their unique sound.
As Rivers of Nihil continues to evolve, what elements from their previous albums do you hope to hear on their new release? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
