Rivers of Nihil

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).^[4] During this period the band opened shows for bands such as Decapitated, Decrepit Birth, Suffocation, Dying Fetus, and Misery Index.^[5]

In 2011, the band worked with producer Len Carmichael to record their second EP Temporality Unbound.^[6] The album would spawn a music video for the song “(sin)Chronos".^[7]

In February 2012, MetalSucks referred to Rivers of Nihil as the "best new Death metal band you'll hear this year".^[8]

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.^[9] 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.^[10]

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.^[11] The album sold 1,175 copies in its first week.^[12] On August 17, 2015, the band made Monarchy available for streaming in full.^[13]

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.^[14] The band recruited The Kennedy Veil's live drummer Jared Klein to track drums.^[15] On March 16, 2018, the band released Where Owls Know My Name as well as a music video for the song "A Home".^[16] Metal Injection gave the album a perfect 10/10 score.^[17] The band also played Texas Independence Fest in Austin that year.^[18]

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.^[19] Topore left the band in April 2022.^[20] On October 20, 2022, the band announced that they had parted ways with lead singer Jake Dieffenbach;^[21] 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".^[22]

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.^[23] The band released a second single, titled "Hellbirds" on October 19.^[24]

On April 29, 2024, the band released a single titled "Criminals" and an accompanying music video.^[25] The band released an instrumental version of the album "The Work" on July 19.^[26] 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.^[27]

On February 4, 2025, the band announced the cover art and track listing for their upcoming, self-titled, album.^[28] The band also shared the release was produced at Atrium Audio with producers Carson Slovak & Grant McFarland.^[28] The album's release date was set as May 30, with the first single, "House of Light," which was released on February 6.^[29] A teaser for the single had previously been released on February 3.^[30] On March 12, the band debuted the single "American Death," with an accompanying music video.^[31]

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.^[32]

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.^[33]

Timeline