“Water & Time” is the newest single from progressive death metal alchemists Rivers Of Nihil. The track comes off of the band’s eponymous fifth full-length, set for release on May 30th via Metal Blade Records.
Comments founding guitarist Brody Uttley. “‘Water & Time’ is a song that we put together before most of the rest of this album. The working title on it was ‘TFF’ meaning ‘Tears For Fears’ because in a lot of ways I feel like it’s our stab at writing a big chorus style synth laden song much like those kinds of bands. Initially it was a song that I wrote out totally on a synthesizer, just as an experiment really, not thinking it would be a RIVERS song. However, when I heard the main melody back, I knew we were on to something cool, so we filled out the song with ‘metal band stuff’ to get what you hear in the final version.”
Watch Rivers Of Nihil‘s “Water & Time” video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZC2hfkdf2A
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 still 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.”
In an early preview of the record, Revolver wrote, “…their forthcoming self-titled album… specializes in metronome-exploding kick work, riffs brawnier than a full-grown Kodiak, and a vocal tandem of soaring highs (guitarist Andy Thomas) and demonic lows (bassist Adam Biggs).” Of the band’s “American Death” single, Metal Injection hailed a track that’s “very straightforward; very mosh-worthy,” while MetalSucks lauded, “an absolute ass-beater that you may or may not be totally ready for. Right from the rip, it’s heavy and mean. Punishing rhythms, high octane guitar, and impeccable vocals really drive the whole thing together.”
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 at: metalblade.com/riversofnihil
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 15th, 2023, the band released the 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 19th of that year. On April 29th, 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: Adam Biggs – bass guitar, vocals / Andy Thomas – guitar, vocals / Brody Uttley – guitar, piano, keys, programming / Jared Klein – drums, vocals
