Album review: Rivers Of Nihil – Rivers Of Nihil

Having steadily evolved over the course of their four full-lengths, prog death-mongers Rivers Of Nihil have cut themselves a unique space in the heavy music community. Returning with their fifth, they do not so much forge into new territory as hone that which they have staked as their own, and they further cement their position.

Toughening up the heavier aspects of their sound while making the melodic passages flow more naturally, they set the scene with opener The Sub-Orbital Blues, which both soars and pummels. Acquitting himself from the get to, this is also the first RON record to feature returning bassist Adam Biggs tackling lead vocals, and he brings a lot to the table, particularly on Criminals, which pitches pointed hostility against an eerie whispered passage.

It wouldn't be a RON record without saxophone, and this is littered liberally across it, most effectively on the complex Despair Church and the powerful Water & Time, with killer guitar shredding playing off the back of this. Perhaps best is the frantic Evidence, which releases a clean vocal amidst the chaos to great affect, demonstrating just how damn good they are at doing what they do.

Closing with the title-track (yes, it's Rivers Of Nihil by Rivers Of Nihil, on Rivers Of Nihil) is a little underwhelming, which is a shame because the album mostly makes for solid, compelling listening. If you are looking for something that does not just repeat genre cliches then this is a mighty fine place to point your ears, even if it is not the best thing they have ever done.

Verdict: 3/5

For fans of: Meshuggah, TesseracT, Gojira

Rivers Of Nihil is released on May 30 via Metal Blade