It's kinda undestandable that Rivers didn't want to get famous because of the sax, since the guy that played with them is more of a guest than a fixed member of the band.
Listened to the entire album first thing this morning. Love it. Appreciate the experience completely. And I agree with the skull rating. Now onto checking out the new Wraith, Unto Others, Tentation and Wretched Inferno albums.
Terrestria IV: Work is absolutely worth the wait. I was a little on the fence on my first listen, a little too much prog rock without the same impact as Owls, but then that final track came in and knocked up the score! Inferi (best so far), Rivers of Nihil (most diverse album) and Aborted (crushing riffs and slaps everywhere) are my 3 favourites of 2021 so far. Waiting for Obsidious (2022?), Obscura, Archspire, First Fragment and Dream Theater to release their albums.
I fuckin love the Terrestria tracks from the 'Conscious Seed' all the way through 'Owls' it just feels like the jam that connects it all together to one ongoing experience
@@pong86r Unless I listen to an album from start till finish, I'm not really a fan of (short) instrumental tracks, but Terrestria 3 is just SO fucking badass. Like the combat soundtrack to Mass Effect with distorted guitar and loud drums!
My preorder came Tuesday to my surprise. Just the best 65 minutes of metal I've heard all year. Now I'm anxious of what Mastodon will do to try to top this for the best of 2021.
All their albums are best understood by listening to them from start to finish. I've been listening to them since The Conscious Seed of Light and I've learned that it's best to shed all expectations. Each album has different themes and atmosphere. Dan Seagrave's art compliments the music by giving a visualization of the soundscapes. Each album is a unique experience so never expect the same.
Hearing Blayne loves Risk of Rain as much as I do gave me so much joy and the fact that you compared the album to that soundtrack means I have to check it out.
I just listened to Defacement before River of Nihil. This is some good shit. Felt like i was in a cavern with the wind squalling from the pits of an abyss. Cheers Blayne
I was lucky enough to see these dudes on The Death To All tour.. better than 80% of most bands I've had the pleasure of seeing. Owls is still my favorite, but this is a solid listen.
It’s been a while since I listen to a record been blown away. Did not skip a track. The last song didn’t even feel like 11 ish minutes! I’m about to order this on vinyl! Such a huge mix of sounds very shogaze/prog death metal stuff. I got a both of sunbather vibes 😬 and that’s not a bad thing 9/10
@@BangerTV from 3:44, specifically 3:55 or so - "it's not a little bitty bit of bizkit in here though, it's far more in the nine inch nails/slipknot/korn stuff". Listening again it sounds like you were including NIN because of the electronic elements (which you mention after) instead of the nu metal stuff which is what you were saying leading up to it? Either way, not expecting to hear NIN mentioned in a section about Nu Metal.
Wow great review! Eventually I did not get a clue about the music or RoN's stylistic evolution, except for the extract played... But "hey!" we know Blayne loves a song from Katatonia. The part from 7:33 to 8:03... how can this come from a professional reviewer?
God damn it. I just realised I've made two trips to buy albums recently and somehow forgot to buy this. Back I go I guess! Great review as ever Blayne.
Been jamming them for a good 11 years and this was by far my least favorite. It's good music, but I dont like meshuggah/gojira at all.... or that boring style...
One listen in on this album and it's my album of the year. Nothing will come close to it. I really want to dig deeper into the lyrics and theme of this concept album. Initially, I got a metaphor about the Tower of Babel to how we're trying to now build our world and society higher and higher only for it to fall apart and implode. I could be completely off on that, but that's the initial lyrical concept I got from first listen. The Work begs for multiple listens, and I can't wait to see what grows in this already masterpiece from listen after listen.
I've only listened to it once but so far it's disappointing, just because it's experimental doesn't mean that it works, WOKMN was a masterpiece because it had all the elements of Monarchy and they added prog experimentation on top of that and it worked extremely well, this album bearly has that tech death that we're used to, it's a lot more simple and a lot of sections in this album sounded weird and kind of boring tbh, maybe it will grow on me, 3/5 so far.
Definitely going to need to grow on me but feels promising. I appreciate dynamics and diversity of influences/sounds but it feels a slight bit scatterbrained still. Again, going to let it marinate on the turntable till I can't get enough.
Uhh...This one just didn't do it for me. This was my least favorite of their albums but still pretty listenable; it's not nearly as cohesive and impactful as the last 2. But hey it's prog, every now and then we get a weird one in the discography. Cover it cover I liked it but I'd spin their other works first. Obviously I'll be giving it a few more listens but on the first take I'm a bit let down. Respectable but not my favorite.
If folks like the sax, def check out Zach Strouse's other band Burial in the Sky. Another awesome proggy tech death group who also put out an amazing LP earlier this year.
"Now I'm Pruneless face, take that Dickless Tracy!" That album is some fantastic brutal grind and the band members were super accommodating and made their album available for purchase on Bandcamp.
Awesome review as always, I'm not really feeling the album that much personally, 2 or 3 songs maybe and I would love to see you guys review the new Trivium Album.
Was hoping you were making a reference to Rivers of Nihil producer Carson Slovak's band with that shirt, but different Century... Pretty crazy coincidence though.
Solild 3/5 album This album is the first one I've heard from them to have what I consider "filler tracks", while there past 3 are all killer no filler. They went WAY TOO FAR prog of some of these tracks, and it really takes away from the Over all fit of the album. Some of the filler track parts would have made better bridge or verse or chorus parts, but should not have been whole songs. If they would cut the filler tracks, this would be a 5/5 EP, but as an LP the filler holds it back from ranking higher to me. STILL GOOD, just could have been better...
Rivers of Nihil is one of the most interesting and unique bands I've ever heard. The sax breakdown in the last album is one of the coolest things I've ever heard in a metal song - rivaled in my mind only by Mastodon's country lick in Megalodon on Levithan. The first track in this video has the deep Black Metal drone and Im already stoked about this album. I didnt even know they released a new one, thanks for filling me in. Amazing video as always. Edit: typed this and unpaused for you to immediately say the sax is back and I think I shit my pants.
River's of Nihil albums have to be listened to in their entirety to fully appreciate it. I realized that after hearing the two singles they released for this album. When I heard the full thing last night, I was like, "I get it".
you don't tell me to shave my balls with your particular brand of lawnmower and that's what i appreciates about you (it's good to hear this record is something to look forward to. i did the The Work preorder and i'm stoked to get the cd and the content, along with the 4 records- goddamit that's a lot of records)
Really struggling with this one. Love their back catalogue but it was a challenge to listen to the whole album in one sitting. Will have to give it another try later.
Initially, I was a bit disappointed, I was hoping for a more aggressive death metal record like Owls, not one with so many soft parts. They definitely leaned more towards the progressive side, but I hear post-rock, shoegaze, and classic rock influences too. Everything came together during the second listen, and it grew on me a lot. Not sure if it's better than Owls, but I'm excited to listen to it more.
I don't like tech death; I don't like prog death. So, to this I say, "No thank you, Sir". I always appreciate the videos and hearing about metal, though. Thanks, Blayne!
The two intro verses in Focus, I didn’t like. Other than that, the album was my favorite this year and my favorite of the band’s work (pun intended) so far.
"Great music exists in every genre. It's just that in some genres it's easier to find that great music." Amen to that my friend!
Yeah that exact moment made both me and this dog perk up.
Blayne does schtick, for sure, but there's a clarity and method to his madness.
Congrats to my buds for their new album release 🤙🤙🤙
What's up brotha!!
can't wait til all you guys hit the road hopefully next year... faces of death hopefully will make it with that same line-up!
Thanx for the shout out! We feel honored to be mentioned on the mighty BangerTV! Cheers!
*Sam casually walks out in the back, clearly anxious that he didn't get this review*
And makes a documentary about it :D
It's kinda undestandable that Rivers didn't want to get famous because of the sax, since the guy that played with them is more of a guest than a fixed member of the band.
Why didn’t you make the review 20 minutes then? I absolutely watch a 20-30 minute album review by Blayne
Listened to the entire album first thing this morning. Love it. Appreciate the experience completely. And I agree with the skull rating. Now onto checking out the new Wraith, Unto Others, Tentation and Wretched Inferno albums.
I loved the album, definitely a contender for AOTY
Terrestria IV: Work is absolutely worth the wait.
I was a little on the fence on my first listen, a little too much prog rock without the same impact as Owls, but then that final track came in and knocked up the score!
Inferi (best so far), Rivers of Nihil (most diverse album) and Aborted (crushing riffs and slaps everywhere) are my 3 favourites of 2021 so far.
Waiting for Obsidious (2022?), Obscura, Archspire, First Fragment and Dream Theater to release their albums.
I fuckin love the Terrestria tracks from the 'Conscious Seed' all the way through 'Owls' it just feels like the jam that connects it all together to one ongoing experience
@@pong86r Unless I listen to an album from start till finish, I'm not really a fan of (short) instrumental tracks, but Terrestria 3 is just SO fucking badass. Like the combat soundtrack to Mass Effect with distorted guitar and loud drums!
Your list is basically mine ditto'd, but add in Vitrified Entity's new album (FFO: Equipose, First Fragment). Super fun shit. 2021's been goooood!
The more you listen to this album, the better it gets.. 2 months in and I can't stop listen to it..
Everybody’s like “Whoah, RoN put sax in death metal, no ones done that!” And the Faceless is over here like wtf
Theres quite a few bands who have way before RoN.
Beyond dawn, Napalm death, John Zorn projects, Blackjazz...
Burial In The Sky has sexy sax tooooo
Ihsahn...not quite death metal, but close enuff for sax😀
This album is a budget Autotheism.
My preorder came Tuesday to my surprise. Just the best 65 minutes of metal I've heard all year. Now I'm anxious of what Mastodon will do to try to top this for the best of 2021.
*Captivating. Majestic. Splendid.*
Those are the only words that I can think of to describe this incredible album.
I’m glad y’all covered this but I’m gonna be so bummed out if Banger skips Unto Others
Couldn't agree with this comment more. Holy hell they came back and did it again on album 2
I certainly haven't skipped it!
All their albums are best understood by listening to them from start to finish. I've been listening to them since The Conscious Seed of Light and I've learned that it's best to shed all expectations. Each album has different themes and atmosphere. Dan Seagrave's art compliments the music by giving a visualization of the soundscapes. Each album is a unique experience so never expect the same.
Seasons.
Hearing Blayne loves Risk of Rain as much as I do gave me so much joy and the fact that you compared the album to that soundtrack means I have to check it out.
Totally agree. It was surprised by some of the elements but pleasantly surprised...
This album absolutely is a "full album" experience, each song is good on its own but as a whole it's a soul wrenching experience.
"Do the work / I know it hurts but you have to"
Fuck, gets me every time.
Honestly love this album even more than the last one, which i also loved. Episode and Terrestria are just incredible songs
"I'm angry at the mall." 🤣🤣🤣
Great review! Loved Owls, wasn't hoping for a rehash of it but wanted that spark to stay
thanks for watching !
I just listened to Defacement before River of Nihil. This is some good shit. Felt like i was in a cavern with the wind squalling from the pits of an abyss. Cheers Blayne
I just came here to say: AWESOME CENTURY SHIRT, BLAYNE! Those guys' demo from 2020 is fun!
This album is soooooo amazing. I’m blown away!
"The sax is back, baby!" - YES!!!
Sadistic Force will be releasing a new album October 2nd!!
yessss, this is going to be my gym sound tonight. friday and a new great sounding album to dig the ears into - what else can a (wo)man want from life.
Rivers of Gains
@@BangerTV 😂😂👌
Risk of rain 2 is a brilliant game Blaine, higher incentive for me to check this album out
No bullshit, this album is the Dark Side of the Moon of metal.
I was lucky enough to see these dudes on The Death To All tour.. better than 80% of most bands I've had the pleasure of seeing. Owls is still my favorite, but this is a solid listen.
Great review Blayne!
Awesome review! This album is sick.
Just saw them with carnifex and TBDM along with undeath and after the burial. They fucking killlll
How was it? That tour is heading to sayreville nj. I'm thinking of going.
@@LoneSilver a must see for this season of shows
One of my favourite metal albums of 2021
Was that Sam in the background?
Gotta be honest, I enjoyed the new Defacement album more than I enjoyed the new Rivers of Nihil. Thanks for shouting it out Blayne!
This one Beats owls in many different ways. It just feels upgraded so 👍
Employed to serve, Aborted and this one saved a few months of cold rainy hell
It’s been a while since I listen to a record been blown away. Did not skip a track. The last song didn’t even feel like 11 ish minutes! I’m about to order this on vinyl! Such a huge mix of sounds very shogaze/prog death metal stuff. I got a both of sunbather vibes 😬 and that’s not a bad thing 9/10
Are we going to talk about your list of "nu metal" bands starting with Nine Inch Nails?
hahah wut?
@@BangerTV from 3:44, specifically 3:55 or so - "it's not a little bitty bit of bizkit in here though, it's far more in the nine inch nails/slipknot/korn stuff". Listening again it sounds like you were including NIN because of the electronic elements (which you mention after) instead of the nu metal stuff which is what you were saying leading up to it? Either way, not expecting to hear NIN mentioned in a section about Nu Metal.
@@brinepacer It's like including Godflesh with Pantera and Machine Head in a list of groove metal bands from the 90s. I was caught off guard.
I noticed what sounded like Devin Townsend influence on the track “Maybe One Day”
This review was more interesting/exciting than the actual album
Wow great review! Eventually I did not get a clue about the music or RoN's stylistic evolution, except for the extract played...
But "hey!" we know Blayne loves a song from Katatonia.
The part from 7:33 to 8:03... how can this come from a professional reviewer?
Picking it up after work 🤘🏻👌🏻
Pun unintended? Lol
@@rvfiasco no 😂
God damn it. I just realised I've made two trips to buy albums recently and somehow forgot to buy this. Back I go I guess! Great review as ever Blayne.
Album of the year this record is phenomenal.
Their last record was my AOTY. I was bored from front to back with this one.
Play it a second time, it'll sink in.
Been jamming them for a good 11 years and this was by far my least favorite. It's good music, but I dont like meshuggah/gojira at all.... or that boring style...
I agree completely... boring
One listen in on this album and it's my album of the year. Nothing will come close to it. I really want to dig deeper into the lyrics and theme of this concept album. Initially, I got a metaphor about the Tower of Babel to how we're trying to now build our world and society higher and higher only for it to fall apart and implode. I could be completely off on that, but that's the initial lyrical concept I got from first listen. The Work begs for multiple listens, and I can't wait to see what grows in this already masterpiece from listen after listen.
I've only listened to it once but so far it's disappointing, just because it's experimental doesn't mean that it works, WOKMN was a masterpiece because it had all the elements of Monarchy and they added prog experimentation on top of that and it worked extremely well, this album bearly has that tech death that we're used to, it's a lot more simple and a lot of sections in this album sounded weird and kind of boring tbh, maybe it will grow on me, 3/5 so far.
Definitely going to need to grow on me but feels promising. I appreciate dynamics and diversity of influences/sounds but it feels a slight bit scatterbrained still. Again, going to let it marinate on the turntable till I can't get enough.
I saw them play at the Black Dahlia show in Dallas, they blew me away!!
Great review. :)
"I'm mad at the mall" I'm dead LOOOOL
Great great album. I cant stop listening to it.
"They put their Rivers of Nihil stamp on everything they do" You are so correct sir!
Uhh...This one just didn't do it for me. This was my least favorite of their albums but still pretty listenable; it's not nearly as cohesive and impactful as the last 2. But hey it's prog, every now and then we get a weird one in the discography. Cover it cover I liked it but I'd spin their other works first. Obviously I'll be giving it a few more listens but on the first take I'm a bit let down. Respectable but not my favorite.
If folks like the sax, def check out Zach Strouse's other band Burial in the Sky. Another awesome proggy tech death group who also put out an amazing LP earlier this year.
"Now I'm Pruneless face, take that Dickless Tracy!" That album is some fantastic brutal grind and the band members were super accommodating and made their album available for purchase on Bandcamp.
Cheers and thanx for the support, brother!
@@Tzeppo666 Always willing to support great bands and thanks again for making the album available to buy on BC.
Awesome review as always, I'm not really feeling the album that much personally, 2 or 3 songs maybe and I would love to see you guys review the new Trivium Album.
Hey Blayne, are we gonna be able to see a rebroadcast on Banger of your and Dekay's Best Albums So Far thing? That would be cool.
LOL. Hell yeah at the Risk of Rain 2 OST shoutout. Super good stuff!
If you like this awesome album and want more sax, I highly suggest Fractal Universe - The Impassable Horizon.
Top 5 this year for me. Love it
It's a great album that I'm sure will reward multiple repeat plays
By the way there is a black metal band named White Ward that uses Sax on most of their songs and they are amazing. Check their albums out.
Was hoping you were making a reference to Rivers of Nihil producer Carson Slovak's band with that shirt, but different Century... Pretty crazy coincidence though.
Solild 3/5 album
This album is the first one I've heard from them to have what I consider "filler tracks", while there past 3 are all killer no filler. They went WAY TOO FAR prog of some of these tracks, and it really takes away from the Over all fit of the album. Some of the filler track parts would have made better bridge or verse or chorus parts, but should not have been whole songs. If they would cut the filler tracks, this would be a 5/5 EP, but as an LP the filler holds it back from ranking higher to me. STILL GOOD, just could have been better...
At least someone agrees with me
This cd keeps getting better every play
Amazing technical death metal album
Clean is my favorite song
Progressive death metal
it’s a good day to be a metal head
Rivers of Nihil is one of the most interesting and unique bands I've ever heard. The sax breakdown in the last album is one of the coolest things I've ever heard in a metal song - rivaled in my mind only by Mastodon's country lick in Megalodon on Levithan.
The first track in this video has the deep Black Metal drone and Im already stoked about this album.
I didnt even know they released a new one, thanks for filling me in. Amazing video as always.
Edit: typed this and unpaused for you to immediately say the sax is back and I think I shit my pants.
Rivers of Nihil and Orbit Culture on one day with new albums! Great albums
Rivers is one of those bands that is constantly moving heavy music forward.
I couldnt be more bored by their music but im glad some people get to appreciate it i guess
So disappointing
@@HeFoundAgartha the album or a the opinion of a random person on the internet?
i only came here to see if they kept the sax -thanks for the good review as well tho!
A wild Sam appears in the background
First!
Super excited for this record!
River's of Nihil albums have to be listened to in their entirety to fully appreciate it. I realized that after hearing the two singles they released for this album. When I heard the full thing last night, I was like, "I get it".
you guys should talk about pentakill
you don't tell me to shave my balls with your particular brand of lawnmower and that's what i appreciates about you (it's good to hear this record is something to look forward to. i did the The Work preorder and i'm stoked to get the cd and the content, along with the 4 records- goddamit that's a lot of records)
This album is an absolute Hammer
Idk why I watch this guy when I find the music long before he does
Really struggling with this one. Love their back catalogue but it was a challenge to listen to the whole album in one sitting. Will have to give it another try later.
Owls exceed my expectations.
I saw impudent rage in the band “cadavar” .. it was adorable.. “dont tell me what to do!” 😂. It was like they were 10 or something..
How many reviews have you guys done that did not get 4, 4.5 or 5 skulls? LOL - Keep up the good work tho homies. Great channel.
I was hoping to see an Unto Others review.
I didn’t know Aaron Rodgers was their drummer
Super creative album title
Random aside: remember when Metal Bars would have 'Album release' nights?
I'm mad at the mall!
Blayne Nu Metal fan confirmed...I nu it!!!!
Initially, I was a bit disappointed, I was hoping for a more aggressive death metal record like Owls, not one with so many soft parts. They definitely leaned more towards the progressive side, but I hear post-rock, shoegaze, and classic rock influences too. Everything came together during the second listen, and it grew on me a lot. Not sure if it's better than Owls, but I'm excited to listen to it more.
Looks like Sam is going #2 in the background lol!!
I don't like tech death; I don't like prog death. So, to this I say, "No thank you, Sir". I always appreciate the videos and hearing about metal, though. Thanks, Blayne!
I kinda wanted more sax!!
Sam casually walking at the beginning tho
The two intro verses in Focus, I didn’t like. Other than that, the album was my favorite this year and my favorite of the band’s work (pun intended) so far.
You want METAL??? Well, Saxophones are made out of...METAL!!!
excellent album...4 outa 5
Blayne: Hatted Menace
Had to throw at the end of the vid to to MONEYYYYYYY lol
Where are them riffs tho? I mean give me one riff...
Yep...
We really are living in a golden age of tech death, aren't we?