Reading, Pennsylvania-based progressive death metallers RIVERS OF NIHIL are pleased to unleash their brand new single, “Criminals.” The latest track serves as a teaser for the band’s upcoming new full-length.
Comments vocalist/bassist Adam Biggs, “Our newest single, ‘Criminals,’ is by far one of the most aggressive tracks we’ve released in quite some time and displays the power of the new lineup at a full 10 out of 10. Lyrically, the song is a meditation on the nature of crime, punishment, and the delicate balance of power therein. So, show up for the shredding, stay for the contemplation of truth and justice. Enjoy!”
RIVERS OF NIHIL will join this year’s edition of the Chaos & Carnage Tour featuring co-headliners Carnifex and Metal Blade labelmates Cattle Decapitation with additional support provided by The Zenith Passage, Humanity’s Last Breath, Vitriol, and Face Yourself. The journey runs from April 30th through May 26th, with a handful of RIVERS OF NIHIL headlining dates mixed in. See all confirmed dates below.
RIVERS OF NIHIL w/ Cattle Decapitation, Carnifex, Humanity’s Last Breath, The Zenith Passage, Vitriol, Face Yourself:
4/28/2024 86th Street OKC – Oklahoma City, OK **
4/30/2024 Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ
5/02/2024 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX
5/03/2024 Granada Theater – Dallas, TX
5/04/2024 Vibes Event Center – San Antonio, TX
5/06/2024 The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
5/07/2024 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA **
5/08/2024 Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN
5/09/2024 The Crown – Baltimore, MD **
5/10/2024 The Brooklyn Monarch – Brooklyn, NY
5/11/2024 Reverb – Reading, PA
5/12/2024 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
5/14/2024 Sharkey’s Event Center – Liverpool, NY
5/15/2024 Preserving Underground – New Kensington, PA
5/16/2024 King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH
5/17/2024 The Crofoot – Pontiac, MI
5/18/2024 WC Social Club – West Chicago, IL
5/20/2024 The Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO
5/22/2024 Cargo Concert Hall – Reno, NV **
5/23/2024 The UC Theatre – Berkeley, CA
5/24/2024 The Belasco – Los Angeles, CA
5/25/2024 House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
5/26/2024 House Of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
5/28/2024 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM **
5/29/2024 Temple Live @ Wichita Scottish Rite Center – Wichita, KS **
5/30/2024 Off Broadway – St. Louis, MO **
** RIVERS OF NIHIL headlining date
RIVERS OF NIHIL have 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, they forged further into new territory, once again upending any expectations fans had placed on them. And now, with a new series of singles recorded in 2023 and released as singles since then – eventually appearing together on a new album – the band has once again shattered the ceiling of how far they are willing to go in search of new sonic terrain.
The band spent 2021 and 2022 burning the candle at both ends with a frenzied tour schedule including headlining runs of the US and Europe, a jaunt on the European festival circuit, and two runs in support of The Black Dahlia Murder and The Contortionist in North America. 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 20th, 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.
In March 2023, RIVERS OF NIHIL wrapped up a recording session that saw the now four-piece band birth a considerable amount of new music featuring their previous bassist/backup vocalist Adam Biggs as the new lead vocalist/bassist. This recording session also marked the first appearance of new guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently in the music, as a member of RIVERS OF NIHIL. These new singles are the first to showcase the band’s new lineup in full-on collaboration, and demonstrate that while this is a new, brave sound with tons of potential, it also carries the band’s classic energy.
The band recently began sessions at Atrium Audio with Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland to finish recording what will end up being their fifth full-length album. Look out for that in 2025.
RIVERS OF NIHIL:
Adam Biggs – vocals, bass
Brody Uttley – guitar, keyboards
Andrew Thomas – rhythm guitar, vocals
Jared Klein – drums, vocals
