Album Review: Rivers of Nihil – Rivers of Nihil (Metal Blade Records)

Pennsylvania’s progressive death metal progenitors, Rivers of Nihil, will release their self titled 5th studio album on the 30th of May.

Sixteen years and five albums into a band’s career might seem a strange time to release a self titled album. Aside from when it’s a debut, band’s tend to release self titled albums later in their career when it is time for a refresh or a reset. Perhaps both. Rivers of Nihil have been through changes in recent years – vocalist Jake Dieffenbach and guitarist Jon Topore left the band in 2022. Bassist Adam Biggs stepped up to take on the vocalist role and Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate) ed on guitars and backing vocals.

A lot of the changes seem to coincide with the release of their 2021 album, The Work. A clever and interesting album but also a very experimental release that split fans and critics a bit. Whatever the reason for the changes, whatever the reason for the self titled album, the band seem happy and settled with where they are, as founding member and guitarist, Brody Uttley states:

“Rivers’ fifth Metal Blade album “deserves the ‘self-titled’ treatment. 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 Owls and The Work-type experimental stuff, but with a more refreshed perspective on those styles for the current era of the band.”

Rivers of Nihil are Adam Biggs on bass and vocals, Andy Thomas on guitar and vocals, Brody Uttley on guitar, piano, keys and programming and Jared Klein on drums and vocals.

Rivers of Nihil’ self titled release kicks off with a single that came out way back in 2023 called The Sub-Orbital Blues. This was the first song the band released with Biggs handling lead vocals (following the 2022 departure of singer Jake Dieffenbach), and also their first featuring Thomas. A strong song, which pulls a lot of what we have come to expect from the progressive band together into an emphatic opener. Plenty of heaviness and technical crunch marries with catchy choruses, off kilter riffing, superb lead guitar work and subtler experimental layers.

Dustman is a fine example of 2025 Rivers of Nihil with a much more no nonsense effort where the new vocals are ferocious in delivery backed by technical riffing and metallic drumming that give an almost industrial tint to the songs at times. It’s catchy, heavy and intricate with lots of depth and the sound of a united band. Another single, Criminals (released April 2024) is up next and keeps the bar high with some nice ideas blending in with a stomping viciousness in the verses. The chorus is excellent, and the combination of the backing cleans, lead cleans and backing growls is pure ear candy.

Adding in a banging solo and superbly impressive drum work, including a mammoth drum solo, makes this a killer track that will have heads banging furiously.

Fans of Rovers of Nihil’s experimental side needn’t worry though – you have plenty of that coming and, even these heavier starting tracks offer plenty of creativity from the riffs and beats, the catchy choruses, bluesy sections and of course, Patrick Corona’s additional saxophone. One of the songs of the year, for example, is House of Light. A song that Utlley states:

“encapsulates the nature of what it is that we do perfectly while offering a different perspective on the sound with the new lineup. Everything that our fans have come to love about our sound is demonstrated in this song with the new addition of Andy singing and Biggs on main vocals. It has the riffs, it has the big chorus, it has the prog, it has the solos, it has the sax. Just a classic example of what we do as a band in 2025.”

It’s softer, subtle intro with saxophone is dreamy and inviting, before it suddenly switches and tries to destroy you with a blast of anger and aggression. That comes backed by blasting drums, crunchy riffs but also still that softer saxophone creating a remarkable combination. The chorus is emphatic and powerful and the song is hypnotic, switching paces, tempo and style regularly but always building itself back towards the amazing chorus. A chorus that gets even more emphasis as the song ends with more and more layers growing into it. It’s a phenomenal track.

Rivers of Nihil is an album full of highlights. It also showcases plenty of additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone, Stephan Lopez on banjo, McFarland on cello and a other guest vocalists. The band’s talent, and the additional guests add a ton of depth to each song, and the complete work. Some other highlights include another single, American Death. A rip-roaring affair with insane drum levels on display. It’s harsh, dark and mean and sure to get heads and bodies moving live.

Water & Time goes heavy on the synth with the metal stuff growing around the overall synth melody. It’s definitely more on the experimental side but works well in the flow of the album and  packs a huge chorus where the vocals are immense. It has a touch of grandeur to it, as well as a hint of melancholy but ascends and lifts you for the chorus and has an awesome sax solo.

The Logical End, which isn’t the ending track, brings all of Rivers of Nihil’s many different ideas and styles together for and interesting and very progressive track. Synth leads the way for a time, metal takes over, harsh vocals and metallic crunches lay aggression down before cleans and melody lift your spirits. It transitions back and forth through different styles and can be a challenge to grab a beat and the flow for long periods but certainly keeps you engaged.

The actual closing song is the title track of the self titled album – Rivers of Nihil. It’s a shorter song but very impactful delivering a vibe that feels optimistic and displays strength. I love the gentle melody and the harmonising cleans that bring you in, it feels almost like a chant or a mantra. The drums are excellent and when it explodes into a breakdown of sorts, it is seriously hard to not smile and throw yourself around.

It closes out an album from a band who have been throwing out solid albums for pretty much their whole career. Even if you didn’t like everything Rivers of Nihil deliver, there has never been any doubting their talent and song writing abilities and here, it feels like everything has gelled, come together perfectly and found a happy spot. The band sound united, the different styles have all come together to create a unified sound and experience in what may very well be Rivers of Nihil’s most accomplished and cohesive album to date.

Track List:

The Sub-Orbital Blues
Dustman
Criminals
Despair Church
Water & Time
House of Light
Evidence
American Death
The Logical End
Rivers of Nihil

Rivers of Nihil Links

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