Rivers of Nihil

{{short description|American technical death metal band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Rivers of Nihil | image = Rivers of Nihil.jpg | caption = Rivers of Nihil performing in 2025. | origin = Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. | genre = Technical death metal, progressive death metal | years_active = 2009–present | label = Metal Blade | website = {{URL|http://www.metalblade.com/riversofnihil/}} | current_members = * Brody Uttley * Adam Biggs * Jared Klein * Andy Thomas | past_members = * Jake Dieffenbach * Jon Kunz * Ron Nelson * Alan Balamut * Jon Topore * Dylan Potts }}

'''Rivers of Nihil''' is an American technical death metal band from Reading, Pennsylvania. They are currently signed to Metal Blade Records. To date the band has released two EPs and five studio albums. Their most recent release is 2025's self-titled album ''Rivers of Nihil''. Their 2018 album ''Where Owls Know My Name''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalblade.com/us/releases/rivers-of-nihil-where-owls-know-my-name/|title=Rivers of Nihil "Where Owls Know My Name"|website=Metalblade.com}}</ref> debuted at number 61 on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-temple.com/site/news/view/general_news/rivers-of-nihil-charts.htm|title=Metal-Temple.com :: RIVERS OF NIHIL: Charts with "Where Owls Know My Name"|website=Metal-temple.com|access-date=April 13, 2018|archive-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218074044/http://www.metal-temple.com/site/news/view/general_news/rivers-of-nihil-charts.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> selling 2,750 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-3-28-stone-temple-pilots-soar-to-the-top-10-nihil-annihilates|title=Metal By Numbers 3/28: Stone Temple Pilots soar to the top 10; Nihil annihilates|date=March 28, 2018|website=Metalinsider.net}}</ref>

==History== Rivers of Nihil was formed in 2009. They recorded their first EP ''Hierarchy'' later that year with Century vocalist Carson Slovak, who produced numerous works by other bands such as August Burns Red, Texas in July, and Black Crown Initiate (Slovak would later work with the band on their second and third studio albums, adding writing credits to "Terrestria III: Wither" on ''Where Owls Know My Name'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1895703-Carson-Slovak?page=2|title=Carson Slovak|website=Discogs.com}}</ref> During this period the band opened shows for bands such as Decapitated, Decrepit Birth, Suffocation, Dying Fetus, and Misery Index.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rivers-of-nihil-signs-with-metal-blade-records/|title=RIVERS OF NIHIL Signs With METAL BLADE RECORDS|date=December 10, 2012|website=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref>

In 2011, the band worked with producer Len Carmichael to record their second EP ''Temporality Unbound''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalblade.com/us/news/metal-blade-records-signs-rivers-of-nihil/|title=Metal Blade Records Signs Rivers Of Nihil|website=Metalblade.com}}</ref> The album would spawn a music video for the song “(sin)Chronos".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/video/rivers-of-nihil-sinchronos-official-video|title=Rivers of Nihil- (sin)Chronos Official Video|website=Metalinjection.net|date=February 6, 2013 }}</ref>

In February 2012, MetalSucks referred to Rivers of Nihil as the "best new Death metal band you'll hear this year".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/02/16/rivers-of-nihil-are-the-best-new-death-metal-band-youll-hear-this-year/|title=RIVERS OF NIHIL ARE THE BEST NEW DEATH METAL BAND YOU'LL HEAR THIS YEAR - MetalSucks|date=February 16, 2012|website=Metalsucks.net}}</ref>

On December 10, 2012, Metal Blade Records announced that they had signed Rivers of Nihil to a record deal, and released a demo for the song "Rain Eater". The label also announced that the band would be working with Erik Rutan of Hate Eternal and Morbid Angel to record their first studio album at Mana Recording Studios in Tampa, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/12/10/rivers-of-nihil-sign-with-metal-blade/|title=Rivers of Nihil Sign with Metal Blade - MetalSucks|date=December 10, 2012|website=Metalsucks.net}}</ref> The band released the album in the United States on October 15, 2013. The album artwork was created by Dan Seagrave, who would handle the artwork on the band's next two albums as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rivers-of-nihil-a-fertile-altar-lyric-video-released/|title=RIVERS OF NIHIL: 'A Fertile Altar' Lyric Video Released|date=November 22, 2013|website=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref>

Rivers of Nihil returned to Atrium studios to work again with Slovak on their second full-length studio album, ''Monarchy'', which was released on August 21, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rivers-of-nihil-to-release-monarchy-in-august/|title=RIVERS OF NIHIL To Release 'Monarchy' In August|date=June 13, 2015|website=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref> The album sold 1,175 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-93-a-disturbing-amount-of-debuts|title=Metal By Numbers 9/3: A disturbing amount of debutsMetal Insider|date=September 3, 2015|website=Metalinsider.net}}</ref> On August 17, 2015, the band made ''Monarchy'' available for streaming in full.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2015/08/17/streamers-of-nihil-stream-the-new-rivers-of-nihil-album-monarchy-in-full/|title=Streamers of Nihil: Stream the New Rivers of Nihil Album Monarchy in Full - MetalSucks|date=August 17, 2015|website=Metalsucks.net}}</ref>

On September 7, 2017, the band announced via their Facebook account that they had returned to the studio, once again working at Atrium Audio, and working again with audio engineers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/09/07/rivers-of-nihil-are-in-the-studio/|title=Rivers of Nihil are in the Studio - MetalSucks|date=September 7, 2017|website=Metalsucks.net}}</ref> The band recruited The Kennedy Veil's live drummer Jared Klein to track drums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/rivers-of-nihil-is-in-the-studio-working-on-a-new-album|title=RIVERS OF NIHIL Is In The Studio Working On A New Album|date=September 8, 2017|website=Metalinjection.net}}</ref> On March 16, 2018, the band released ''Where Owls Know My Name'' as well as a music video for the song "A Home".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2018/03/16/watch-rivers-of-nihils-new-video-for-a-home/|title=Watch Rivers of Nihil's New Video for "A Home" - MetalSucks|date=March 16, 2018|website=Metalsucks.net}}</ref> Metal Injection gave the album a perfect 10/10 score.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/reviews/rivers-nihil-where-owls-know-my-name|title=Album Review: RIVERS OF NIHIL Where Owls Know My Name|date=March 15, 2018|website=Metalinjection.net}}</ref> The band also played Texas Independence Fest in Austin that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Show Review: Texas Independence Fest in Austin, TX |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/reviews/show-review-texas-independence-fest-austin/ |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=New Noise Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

On September 24, 2021, the band released their fourth album, titled ''The Work''. It was elected by ''Loudwire'' as the 22nd best rock/metal album of 2021.<ref name="Lbestrm21">{{cite web |title=The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021 |url=https://loudwire.com/best-rock-metal-albums-2021/ |website=Loudwire |publisher=Townsquare Media |access-date=January 3, 2022 |date=December 10, 2021}}</ref> Topore left the band in April 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2022/04/27/news/rivers-of-nihil-part-ways-with-guitarist-jon-topore/|title=Rivers Of Nihil Part Ways With Guitarist Jon Topore|date=April 27, 2022|website=Theprp.com}}</ref> On October 20, 2022, the band announced that they had parted ways with lead singer Jake Dieffenbach;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/riversofnihil/status/1583095786233278464?s=20&t=mNIZOlpfdCpIGHp3fhWn_w|title=Rivers Of Nihil Part Ways With Lead Vocalist|date=October 20, 2022|website=twitter.com}}</ref> Biggs later explained that Dieffenbach "just couldn’t really keep himself together between tours" and "it was impossible to maintain a positive working relationship there".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprogspace.com/adambiggs2023/|title=Interview with Rivers of Nihil's Adam Biggs: "Our band hits its biggest strides when we have these big shake ups!"|date=December 1, 2023|website=The Progspace}}</ref>

On June 15, 2023, the band released a new single, "The Sub-Orbital Blues". It marked the band's first new music with Biggs handling lead vocals, and also their first featuring ex-Black Crown Initiate guitarist Andy Thomas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lambgoat.com/news/39276/rivers-of-nihil-release-new-single-the-sub-orbital-blues-share-music-video/ |title=Rivers Of Nihil release new single "The Sub-Orbital Blues", share music video |date=June 15, 2023 |accessdate=June 16, 2023}}</ref> The band released a second single, titled "Hellbirds" on October 19.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rivers of Nihil Release New Digital Single “Hellbirds” | website=Metal Blade Records | date=2023-04-20 | url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/rivers-of-nihil-release-new-digital-single-hellbirds/ | ref={{sfnref|Metal Blade Records|2023}} | access-date=2024-11-13}}</ref>

On April 29, 2024, the band released a single titled "Criminals" and an accompanying music video.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rivers of Nihil Drops “Criminals” Video / Single | website=Metal Blade Records | date=2023-04-20 | url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/rivers-of-nihil-drops-criminals-video-single/ | ref={{sfnref|Metal Blade Records|2023}} | access-date=2024-11-13}}</ref> The band released an instrumental version of the album "The Work" on July 19.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rivers of Nihil: “The Work (Instrumentals)” Out Now and Streaming on Metal Blade Records! | website=Metal Blade Records | date=2024-11-08 | url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/rivers-of-nihil-the-work-instrumentals-out-now/ | ref={{sfnref|Metal Blade Records|2024}} | access-date=2024-11-13}}</ref> In October of 2024, ''Metal Blade Records'' announced that Rivers of Nihil would be re-releasing a remixed, remastered version of their debut EP ''Hirearchy'' on November 8.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rivers of Nihil to Release Remixed/Remastered Edition of Debut EP, “Hierarchy”, November 8th Through Metal Blade Records | website=Metal Blade Records | date=2023-04-20 | url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/rivers-of-nihil-to-release-remixedremastered-edition-of-debut-ep-hierarchy/ | access-date=2024-11-13}}</ref>

On February 4, 2025, the band announced the cover art and track listing for their upcoming, self-titled, album.<ref name="Track Listing for 2025 self-titled">{{cite web | title=Rivers Of Nihil Share Cover Art And Track Listing For Their New Self-Titled Album | website=Theprp.com | date=February 4, 2025 | url=https://www.theprp.com/2025/02/04/news/rivers-of-nihil-share-cover-art-and-track-listing-for-their-new-self-titled-album/ | access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref> The band also shared the release was produced at Atrium Audio with producers Carson Slovak & Grant McFarland.<ref name="Track Listing for 2025 self-titled"/> The album's release date was set as May 30, with the first single, "House of Light," which was released on February 6.<ref name="Self-Titled Release Date">{{cite web | title=RIVERS OF NIHIL to release new self-titled album in May | website=Lambgoat | date=February 4, 2025 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/45961/rivers-of-nihil-to-release-new-self-titled-album-in-may/ | access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref> A teaser for the single had previously been released on February 3.<ref name="House of Light Teaser">{{cite web | title=Rivers Of Nihil Tease "House Of Light" Music Video | website=Theprp.com | date=February 3, 2025 | url=https://www.theprp.com/2025/02/03/news/rivers-of-nihil-tease-house-of-light-music-video/ | access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref> On March 12, the band debuted the single "American Death," with an accompanying music video.<ref name="American Death">{{cite web | title=Rivers of Nihil Releases “American Death” Video / Single | website=Metal Blade Records | date=June 15, 2023 | url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/rivers-of-nihil-releases-american-death-video-single/ | access-date=March 18, 2025}}</ref>

In February 2026, the band was announced as part of the lineup for the Louder Than Life music festival in Louisville, scheduled to take place in September.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=Louder Than Life 2026 lineup: Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance, Tool, Danzig, Circa Survive, Megadeth & more |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/louder-than-life-2026-lineup-iron-maiden-my-chemical-romance-tool-danzig-circa-survive-megadeth-more/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Musical style == ''Loudwire'' said that the band's style was progressive death metal, calling them "one of the heaviest prog metal bands ever." The band's song structures incorporate codas and reprises.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blum |first=Jordan BlumJordan |date=2025-04-07 |title=11 Best Progressive Death Metal Bands of All Time |url=https://loudwire.com/best-progressive-death-metal-bands/ |access-date=2026-02-18 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>

== Band members == {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Current''' *Brody Uttley – lead guitar, keyboards, programming (2009–present) *Adam Biggs – bass (2009–present), lead vocals (2022–present); backing vocals (2009–2022) *Jared Klein – drums, backing vocals (2017–present) *Andy Thomas – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2023–present; touring member 2022)

'''Touring''' *Patrick Corona – saxophone (2019–present) *Zach Strouse – saxophone (2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc8HkNaOPM5/|title=Rivers of Nihil Instagram post|website=Instagram|date=April 29, 2022}}</ref> *Kyle Schaefer – lead vocals (2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CvFNa2irlQv/|title=Rivers of Nihil Instagram post|website=Instagram|date=July 24, 2023}}</ref>

'''Former''' *Jon Kunz – rhythm guitar (2009–2014) *Ron Nelson – drums (2009–2014) *Alan Balamut – drums (2014–2016) *Dylan Potts – drums (2015–2017) *Jon Topore – rhythm guitar (2014–2022) *Jake Dieffenbach – lead vocals (2009–2022) {{col-end}}

'''Timeline''' {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:110 bottom:80 top:0 right:0 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2009 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors= id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:backing value:pink legend:Backing_vocals id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar,_keyboards id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album id:other value:gray(0.5) legend:Demo/EP

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1 ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:2009

LineData= layer:back color:other at:01/16/2010 at:10/28/2011 color:studio at:10/11/2013 at:08/21/2015 at:03/16/2018 at:09/24/2021 at:05/30/2025

BarData= bar:JD text:"Jake Dieffenbach" bar:BU text:"Brody Uttley" bar:JK text:"Jon Kunz" bar:JT text:"Jon Topore" bar:AN text:"Andy Thomas" bar:AB text:"Adam Biggs" bar:RN text:"Ron Nelson" bar:AB2 text:"Alan Balamut" bar:DP text:"Dylan Potts" bar:JK2 text:"Jared Klein"

PlotData = width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:JD from:start till:10/20/2022 color:vocals bar:BU from:start till:end color:lguitar bar:JK from:start till:10/01/2014 color:rguitar bar:JT from:10/01/2014 till:04/27/2022 color:rguitar bar:AN from:04/27/2022 till:01/01/2023 color:rguitar width:3 bar:AN from:01/01/2023 till:end color:rguitar bar:AN from:01/01/2023 till:end color:backing width:3 bar:AB from:start till:end color:bass bar:AB from:start till:10/20/2022 color:backing width:3 bar:AB from:10/20/2022 till:end color:vocals width:3 bar:RN from:start till:10/01/2014 color:drums bar:AB2 from:10/01/2014 till:04/01/2016 color:drums bar:DP from:04/01/2016 till:10/01/2017 color:drums bar:JK2 from:10/01/2017 till:end color:drums bar:JK2 from:10/01/2017 till:end color:backing width:3 }}

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {{BLP unsourced section|date=February 2022|reason=none of the charting is sourced and I see nothing in the 200 for the band as claimed.}} {{Infobox artist discography | Artist = Rivers of Nihil | Image = | Image size = | Caption = | Studio = 5 | Live = | EP = 2 | Singles = | Music videos = 7 }}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions !rowspan="2" |Title !rowspan="2" |Album details !colspan="10"|Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Heat. ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Indie. ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Rock ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Hard Rock |- !scope="row"| ''The Conscious Seed of Light'' | * Released: October 11, 2013 * Label: Metal Blade Records | — || — || — || — || — |- !scope="row"| ''Monarchy'' | * Released: August 21, 2015 * Label: Metal Blade Records | — || 17 || 56 || — || 32 |- !scope="row"| ''Where Owls Know My Name'' | * Released: March 16, 2018 * Label: Metal Blade Records | 61 || — || 12 || 21 || 9 |- !scope="row"| ''The Work'' | * Released: September 24, 2021 * Label: Metal Blade Records | — || 11 || — || — || — |- !scope="row"| ''Rivers of Nihil'' | * Released: May 30, 2025 * Label: Metal Blade Records | — || — || — || — || — |- | colspan="15" style="font-size:80%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:2009 establishments in Pennsylvania Category:American musical quintets Category:American progressive metal musical groups Category:American technical death metal musical groups Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Pennsylvania Category:Metal Blade Records artists