Rivers of Nihil - Rivers of Nihil - (10/10) - Metal Blade Records
From their official website, “Sixteen years and five albums into the Pennsylvania band's career, progressive death metal progenitors RIVERS OF NIHIL are upping the ante with the self-titled album. Traditionally, a self-titled record can signal a return to basics and/or a fresh beginning, and in 10 powerful songs, it's clear that both those factors are in play. The album deserves the 'self-titled' treatment. “I feel like these songs are the perfect blend of all our albums, with all the fat cut away," says founding member/guitarist Brody Uttley . There are more technical songs, but with a more mature understanding of pacing. There's a fair bit of experimental stuff, but with a more refreshed perspective on those styles for the current era of the band." “The Sub-Orbital Blues” is first, and I am immediately struck by a shift in their sound. The power of the harsh vocals and sheer weight of their sound is still there, but the clean vocals bring some me...