Progressive metallers, Rivers of Nihil, have just released thier latest single and video, “Hellbirds”. This is the second track made public featuring previous bassist/backing vocalist Adam Biggs on lead vocals, and new member, guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently in the music. Check out new video, shot by David Brodsky & Allison Woest of My Good Eye Visuals, below.
Vocalist and bassist Adam Biggs had this to say about the latest single:
““Hellbirds” is a song that was actually largely written during the sessions for The Work. We couldn‘t find a place for the song on that album, but we knew it would see the light of day sometime because it‘s easily one of the heaviest songs we‘ve ever written, and we‘ve reworked it to display the raw power of the new lineup. The lyrics are written from the perspective of someone you might consider a ’typical‘ person in this day and age; worn out, drug addicted, nihilistic and living in the wake of so many things he can‘t control. It‘s an anthem for people who hail from dead end towns like us.”
Music and Lyrics by Rivers of Nihil
Engineering, Mixing and Mastering by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio
Additional engineering by Brody Uttley
Watch the first single, “The Sub-Orbital Blues” here.
European fans can catch Rivers of Nihil live this fall when the band hits the road with Lorna Shore, label-mates Ingested, and Distant. See dates below and get tickets here.
Lorna Shore‘s The Pain Remains EU Tour featuring Rivers of Nihil, Ingested, and Distant
11-05 NL Den Bosch The Rock Circus
11-06 DE Hamburg Edel Optics Arena *venue upgrade
11-07 SE Gothenburg Gothenburg Studios *SOLD OUT
11-09 FI Helsinki Ice Hall *venue upgrade
11-10 FI Tampere Pakkahuone *SOLD OUT
11-12 SE Stockholm Fryshuset
11-13 DK Copenhagen Amager Bio *SOLD OUT
11-14 DE Hannover Capitol *SOLD OUT
11-16 DE Berlin Columbiahalle *venue upgrade
11-17 DE Dresden BallsportArena
11-18 PL Warsaw Progresja *SOLD OUT
11-19 CZ Prague Roxy *SOLD OUT
11-20 HU Budapest Barba Negra *SOLD OUT
11-22 AT Vienna Gasometer *venue upgrade
11-23 DE Munich Zenith *2nd venue upgrade
11-24 IT Milan Alcatraz *venue upgrade
11-25 CH Pratteln Z7 *SOLD OUT
11-26 BE Brussels AB *SOLD OUT
11-28 GB Birmingham Academy
11-29 GB Leeds Academy
11-30 GB London Forum Kentish Town *SOLD OUT
12-02 GB Manchester Academy *SOLD OUT
12-03 GB Glasgow Barrowlands *SOLD OUT
12-04 GB Cardiff Great Hall *SOLD OUT
12-06 FR Paris Bataclan *SOLD OUT
12-07 DE Wiesbaden Schlachthof *SOLD OUT
12-08 DE Oberhausen Turbinenhalle *SOLD OUT
About the band:
Pennsylvania progressive death metal band Rivers of Nihil has never fit neatly into a box, but with 2018‘s Where Owls Know My Name, they transcended all labels applied to them. Returning in 2021 with The Work released on September 24 via Metal Blade Records, they‘ve forged further into new territory, delivering an album that‘s as cerebral as it is visceral, and that covers a staggering sonic range, definitively placing them in a category of their own. Inarguably a dense, heavy collection, The Work is far too dynamic to be considered a solely metal record and there is a genuine warmth that shows through, particularly tracks like “Wait” and the gorgeous “Maybe One Day.” Additionally, the band had incorporated far more clean vocals alongside the screaming that tears through many of the record‘s heavier tracks. Courtesy of their friend Zach Strouse, saxophone once again adds extra layers of atmosphere to the collection, utilizing baritone, soprano, and alto saxes to great effect.
Towards the end of 2021, Rivers of Nihil spent the majority of their time burning the candle at both ends with a frenzied tour schedule including headline runs of the U.S. and Europe and in support of The Contortionist in North America for a month in September/October of 2022, but once the latter tour wrapped up, they were short a band member.
For personal reasons, founding member and lead vocalist Jake Dieffenbach and the band went their separate ways. The split took place just three days after the recording of a live video and audio session for Audiotree‘s new ‘From Nothing’ series, which was released on April 20, 2023. And while initially the band wasn’t sure how to approach the release with the departure of a founding member and lead singer — or whether to release it at all — they decided to move forward with it to honor Dieffenbach’s contributions to the group over the years and mark the beginning of a new chapter.
Rivers of Nihil is:
Brody Uttley – guitars/keyboards
Adam Biggs – vocals/bass
Jared Klein – drums/vocals
Andy Thomas – guitar/vocals
Follow Rivers of Nihil:
http://www.facebook.com/riversofnihil
http://www.twitter.com/riversofnihil
http://www.youtube.com/Riversofnihilpa