"The Work" by Rivers Of Nihil (THEIR MOST EMOTIONAL ALBUM YET?) | ALBUM REVIEW
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ธ.ค. 2024
- Rivers Of Nihil are at their most emotionally transparent and honest moment yet on their fourth studio album "The Work".
"The Work" by Rivers Of Nihil
Released September 24th 2021 via Metal Blade Records
Produced by Brody Uttley, Carson Slovak, & Grant McFarland
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This album is just filled with surprises, so many dynamics and the soundscapes on this are so good. This is an album I wasn’t expecting from them but goddamn it’s great. Nice review
It's an album that impacted me in a way that I could never have imagined. A lot of shit has happened in my life since this album came out that has made it even more applicable. I literally couldn't talk during "Maybe One Day" without breaking down into tears, and "The Void From Which No Sound Escapes" gives me goosebumps every time. 10/10 for me.
It’s a very motivating album. Looking forward to finally sharing my thoughts tomorrow
Hey! Yes great band. Listening to the new album now!
I get the feeling this album will age better for those willing to return to it. While it doesn't grab as an instant classic like Owls did, it's dripping with emotion and took me completely off guard. I'd give it a similar score. It's great!
Owls is objectively a better album, but that doesn't mean that this album isn't great on it's on merit. I loved it and will keep going back to it.
This album is everything! It's crazy when a highly anticipated album literally gave me everything I wanted and surpassed my overhyped expectations. After Where Owls Know My Name, I was hoping this band would continue to push the progressive elements with more experimentation, more atmosphere, more cleans, more sax, more synth, and an overall more adventurous soundscape. This band delivered it all and I couldn't be happier. They even gave me the death growls I was clamoring for. This is not only one of the best albums of the year...it's Rivers Of Nihil's best album to date.
I have to admit that I have heard of the band but never really listened to a single note until today which would be June 18, 2024. The reason I’m leaving this comment is because not only do I love the current stuff with your channel but I love when I find bands that I kind of slept on, I like to go back and watch your reviews after I’ve listened to the album once or twice only to find the little bits and pieces and little nuggets of sound that I may have overlooked in on the third and fourth listen you kind of point me in the right direction so I really appreciate that. Keep up the kick ass work and I would love for you at some point to revisit reviews you that are maybe three or four years older and see if your opinions have changed on anything.
Rivers of Nihil have been a band on my backlog for a while now, but I listened to all of their records leading up to this yesterday. Their debut had some issues, mainly the production done by Erik Rutan. I love him as much as the next guy, but his mixes can be hit or miss, this one leaning more towards the latter as things felt kinda compressed. Monarchy was a massive step up as it introduced more proggy elements to their sound, and gave them a lot more space to breathe and expand even beyond this already evolving sound they established.
Then came Where Owls Know My Name, which may as well have flipped the script for them entirely. What resulted was one of the most critically acclaimed metal records of 2018, and one that struck quite the powerful chord in me. Combined with me adjusting to the working world after college, and certain emotional breakthroughs (positive and negative) over the past few months, I was on the verge of crying to the title track with how hard the lyrics hit for me. A modern masterpiece of progressive death metal, it is. So coming off of that, where do you go from here?
Well, this album isn't Owls 2, nor would I want it to be in the first place. What it is, however, is the conclusion of a 4 album cycle (1 for each season, this record being Winter), and a monumental conclusion at that. This sees the band at some of their most adventurous and sophisticated songwriting to date, with more classic prog elements coming into the fold of their down-tuned sound. I do think that parts of this album could have been slightly shorter, but I'm not bothered by the length too much at all. If you've listened to the first album up to now, the final track, which is their longest to date, is highly rewarding provided you stick around (which you should).
It's hard to say where the band will go from here, but what I can say is that their work isn't done. At least, not yet.
If they continue to release stuff like this, I wouldn't complain.
No favorite tracks this time around as it would sound redundant of me, just amazing front to back.
4.5/5
Also dear Sleep Token fans, imagine forming your own opinion on something instead of either taking someone else's word as gospel ala Fantano, or wishing harm on the other person.
Just something to note, thanks.
A very important something to note lmao
@@themetalmeltdownofficial Shouldn’t even need to be said honestly, just a shame that people would rather throw ire your way instead of having a meaningful and mid-leveled discussion. The lengths some of these people go astounds even me.
Wholeheartedly agree with all of this.
Pretty good review. I'll have to listen to it with the lyrics to review it but after one listen so far I would put it at a 4/5
I literally pre ordered the box set today at work from indie merch. Owls was an album I kept in rotation in 2018. These guys rock especially with the lead having hearing issues. Amazing.
I was looking at that box set myself earlier today, looked really cool. I'll probably pick up the vinyl eventually.
I'm definitely gonna have to check this out when it releases. Great video Metal Meltdown.
I loved LOVED this album. Regardless if people like this album or not, the MAJOR experimentation must be admired. They could've very easily made an Owls Pt 2, but instead they completely remade themselves.
One of my most anticipated albums at the moment, can't wait to hear it!
I can't wait to check this out. I was already excited to listen to this album tomorrow, but your review has me geeked to check this out.
Hell yeah man, hope you dig it!
@@themetalmeltdownofficial I had to go back and listen to Where Owls Know My Name because it had been a while, but after listening to both albums a few times today? The Work is not the masterpiece that Owls is but it's a great album on it's own merit. Might have been a bit jarring if I wasn't ready for it, but this album fits right in my wheelhouse.
These complete strangers half a country away somehow captured every feeling I’ve felt in the past two years with this album trying to make it as an artist. The first time I listened I wept openly and uncontrollably, it’s an absolute masterpiece
Edit: spelling
Love this review. Honestly Wait was one of my favorite tracks. Definitely unique and a song I figured would be divisive. So far loving this album.
This album is an upgrade from THE last One and that was great. People need to listen, really listen to this. Great fuckin stuff. After employed to serve this feels like a year highlight
Amazing review! Can't wait to hear it tomorrow and to review it
interesting review...thanks...i was sitting on the fence on this release...but a after your review, i'm going to purchase it...
Great Rivers Of Nihil review, love this band!
I've been checking TH-cam all day today in hope of an early stream of the record. I've had Focus on repeat for days after its release and I believe that the best moments of the album have not been made public yet. So fucking stoked for this album!
Lmao, just one more day to wait, hang in there bud.
One more day is a day too many! Haha but yeah I'll be streaming the shit out of it for sure.
Hey man I look forward to your reviews and your outlook on music
As a big fan of Where Owls Know My Name I was eagerly looking forward to new Rivers of Nihil material. Both singles they released I really liked right away. Your description of this album just makes me even more excited to hear the new record. Even the things u disliked about certain songs are things that sound interesting to me. Also compliments on the review, you always articulate yourself very well when describing these albums.
You are too kind man, thank you very much.
Excellent follow-up to WOKMN, i feel that the band will pull the full transition into a more Prog sound on their next release. Overall, one of the best releases of September.
I can't wait for this album since I love Rivers of Nihil. Tomorrow is going to have so many releases including the return of funeral doom legends Skepticism.
Episode is amazing
I've actually never listened to these guys. "Where Owls..." has been on my list for a while but still haven't got round to it
Check it out dude, you won't regret it!
Just do it.
Amazing record going 4.5/5 on another banger
Please review “In Carne Persona” by DUEL!
Band recommendation:
Dragged into sunlight-Hatred for mankind
This is one of the most soul crushingly heavy Death Metal records ever. Extremely gloomy,dark and underrated.
It is kinda morbidly beautiful.
Dragged Into Sunlight is great, consistently horrifying stuff. Wish they'd make a new album, I don't think they've released much since the Gnaw Their Tongues collab.
The music is so intriguing, it even makes me forgive the cover art 😅
Pretty good take 👌 I give it a 3.5/5. A few boring moments for me. But I like More? the more I listen. I feel that the next record from these guys will be amzing! Once they grow more into their prog sound. Solid record none the less.
Saw RoN in LA this last week with TBDM....they were killin' it...they had the weirdest vibing moshpit going I'd ever seen!
I started to enjoy this album on my 3rd listen. Feels like Rivers of Nihil are going more in the direction of Opeth, Katatonia and Enslaved with the Prog starting to slowly take over. Some criticisms I do have is that I don’t feel like this is the smoothest of transition albums, some songs I think are weak and the mix is hit or miss. But the good outweighs the bad. Props to Rivers of Nihil for not making Owls 2 (Where Owls know my name is gonna be really hard to top to be fair, that album is the definition of a 5/5) and trying new stuff with the Rivers of Nihil sound. 3.5/5
I jumped into it not knowing what to expect. I thought it was good but theres not much I can say coming off one listen. Definitely an album that needs a few listens. The saxophones and vocals were so good though.
DEFINITELY so, its not as immediate as previous Rivers Of Nihil. I never mentioned it in the review, but I wasn't sure myself what to think of this album after my first listen.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial it was my first Nihil album. But it does make me want to listen to the previous albums, hmm... maybe after I've listened to some Obituary
Can you review the new pale horse named death album Infernum in Terra? Really think sal pulled his finger out this time to make a way better record then when the world becomes undone
Shiiiit It totally forgot about that album not gonna lie lmao. Unfortunately there's not much time to review more music, especially with October so cram-packed, so APHND will probably be saved for an ALBUMS I MISSED video.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial ah awesome! Ill be on the look out 🤟🤟
Nice shout out on that album dude i really enjoyed it
Wait is such a jarring transition from Clockwork. Every other song goes pretty nicely into the next but Wait feels the most out of place. I guess its palete cleanser or something but it's the only song I have trouble with on the entire album.
Ehhhh kind of a weird place in the album for a palette cleanser. Ultimately the weakest track, for me at least.
Hey, the coments from the poor opinion from sleep token album, why deactivated??
Because im done wasting time trying to reason with yall.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial so just silence your audience then I guess. You always turn your comments off when people disagree with you??
No, only when fanatics like you harrass me 24/7 instead of, yknow, moving on with their lives.
@@themetalmeltdownofficial Right, right. Yes, I, the fanatic who made one comment criticizing your choice to turn off comments. The fiend who harasses you 24/7. I respect your opinion of the album. I genuinely was not too impressed by it. Solid 5/10 for me. I thought Sundowning was a much more enjoyable listen. But muting your audience when they disagree with you is childish.
@@matthewperaza2534 Well, maybe not YOU specifically, but the Sleep Token fanbase as a whole has done NOTHING but harrass for me for the past few days. I'm not bothered if people disagree with me, infact I encourage it to an extent - I want to challenge people and I want them to challenge me, its fun to really dissect and explore music (not to mention, its downright FOOLISH to expect that EVERYONE on the internet is going to agree with you). But when it devolves into endless fanboy outrage, to the point where every time I open my phone I'm reading an endless barrage of personal attacks and even threats of violence, it gets to be a bit much. And considering y'all are still right here complaining, I think its safe to say you haven't been "muted", I'm just sick and tired of hearing all this, just as y'all are clearly sick and tired of hearing from me. Agree to disagree, move the fuck on.
After you said weirder and darker I got turned on a bit. I cant wai for this album.
I anticipate the record will suck and probably everything they will ever do from now on will pale in comparison to the previous just because it was that good.
Agreed 100%
Well at least you tried.
Ok sorry again I think TH-cam deleted my comment. But yeah I’m going to be listening to LOTS of Violent Angry music so rivers of Nihil will have to wait. Sorry. I just hate my boss so much.
Do what you gotta do, its all good man.
Yeah I hate being yelled at and being overworked by my boss especially since I am really trying to get over a lot of Suicidal Demons, I am on the lookout for another job already. Not to even mention how racist my boss is for constantly underpaying and undervaluing POC workers. So yeah a lot of Hardcore punk, Grind, Powerviolence and Death Metal will be played today at my house. Listening to my Cannibal Corpse Kill vinyl as we speak. Need to get these hateful and violent thoughts out.
@@blackwaterrust476 Damn. Been there brother. Get that shit out of your system and honestly get out of there as soon as you can. Staying at a job you despise isn't good for you mentally.
@@MadMike1 @The Metal Meltdown thank you, I appreciate the advice because my job at Amazon is starting to get me down some dark paths again. Safe to Say I will never go to Amazon or buy stuff from Amazon ever again after this Sunday. I don’t like being treated like a Pet or Dog that’s being exploited and lied to.
@@MadMike1 @The Metal Meltdown I just flat out Quit today on my job even though it ends at 5:30 in North America hours, because I pretty much had enough. Went to the half priced Books store and got some Voivod, Sodom, Motorhead, Alice in Chains and Portishead CDs to cheer me up.
Ooh, more fodder for my pretentious prog-loving brain.
Mood