Originally set to feature a very different line-up, the Faces of Death Tour was forced to undergo an almost complete overhaul a few months ago when, for a variety of reasons, Archspire, Black Crown Initiate and To The Grave were all forced to withdraw. With their replacements announced in August, the show was back on with the three new supports eager to prove their worth.
In a surprising announcement – Rivers of Nihil has announced the departure of vocalist Jake Dieffenbach who co-founded the band in 2009. He is the second long-time member to leave the band in 2022, following guitarist Jon Topore who exited several months ago. According to a statement from the band, they will not replace Jake, but bassist and co-founder Adam Biggs will take over lead vocals. The band continues to tour behind their stellar album The Work (Metal Blade) released one year ago, with tours such as their upcoming tour of Europe with Fallujah and Allegaeon, as well as their run of dates with Killswitch Engage and Unearth to end the year.
It’s been three years since progressive, technical death metal act Rivers of Nihil released the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed Where Owls Know My Name (Metal Blade Records). Three long years which have seen a global pandemic almost bring the entertainment industry to its knees. However, having already set 2020 aside to concentrate on writing, the Coronavirus outbreak only made minor dents in the Pennsylvanians plans and conceptual album The Work (Metal Blade) is the exhilarating and wonderfully confounding result.
With a lengthy and excitable queue having already formed well before the 7 pm opening time, you can already tell heading to Birmingham on a typically drizzly September evening is going to be well worth the effort. After disappearing for a few words with Rivers of Nihil drummer Jared Klein, I arrive back into the previously empty venue to find it heaving with activity. The bar area is already packed, beer flows freely and merchandise is being handed over at an impressive rate.Continue reading
A relationship between Heavy Metal and birds has existed for decades. Representing everything from freedom to patriotism, the mighty eagle has flown free, as high as the sun, and even cried, not to mention appearing in varying degrees of quality on the covers of every Primal Fear album ever. Crows, ravens, and vultures all stand proudly and fiercely Metal, and even the mention of blackbirds and albatrosses has been known to get moshpits moving. Continue reading