Perplexing across North America ahead of a much anticipated next chapter.
Text, Photographs by Katie Lewellyn (@katielewellyn.photo) at
Ace of Spades in Sacramento, CA:
With a wondrous line of releases expanded upon through The Work (2021), all eyes are on Rivers of Nihil for every entry that the unit puts out continues an ever-growing, interconnected catalog of boundless death metal to admire. The sprawling nature of their composition extends into the live setting and their visual identity, which we elaborated upon alongside bassist/vocalist Adam Biggs and legendary cover artist Dan Seagrave around their last album release cycle. As new single, The Sub-Orbital Blues, makes its rounds, audiences have begun to brace for another momentous body of work to come.
Until then, the band are garnering high praise and excitement throughout North America as they tour alongside genre greats Between The Buried & Me and Thank You Scientist, the likes of which we caught at Ace of Spades in Sacramento.
From beginning to end, Biggs, Jared Klein, Brody Uttley, and Andy Thomas prove to be a force, commanding with infectious energy reflected in a riveting crowd reaction perfectly encapsulated by the below photo. Lights flashed and bodies moved as the The Silent Life hit, prompting an erupting cheer. The band fed off of one another's instrumentation and energy, seemingly joyful in their display and masterful in their prowess. The Work standouts Clean and The Void From Which No Sound Escapes got their shine throughout this dynamic showing, showcasing the contemporary strengths of a band known to astound with new flavor over the years.
Honorary fifth member Patrick Corona pleased with a selection of soulful saxophone passages throughout the band's shape shifting set while Klein soothed with rhythmic excellence. Atmospheres were as immersive as ever, elevating the emotion felt here to new heights.
The Sub-Orbital Blues help set this stage for a Rivers of Nihil primed to continuously amaze. Though details are scarce on the next full-length, performances such as these maintain excitement levels on the higher end and further demonstrate the power that lies within the band's ranks. Our eyes (and ears) are peeled for what comes next. For those keen, few dates remain on the ongoing tour run.
Rivers of Nihil Tour Dates (Tickets):
26-Jul Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
28-Jul St Petersburg, FL Jannus Live
29-Jul Orlando, FL The Beacham
30-Jul Atlanta, GA Heaven at The Masquerade
31-Jul Winston-Salem, NC The Ramkat
Rivers of Nihil Photo Gallery
