Originality is becoming more and more scarce as with each year that arrives in the Metal calendar. Band after band sounding like copy cat images of each other, save for the select few who will go on to become visionaries, ushering in the new age of Metal.
[tracklist]
1. Heirless
2. Perpetual Growth Machine
3. Reign Of Darkness
4. Sand Baptism
5. Ancestral, I
6. Dehydrate
7. Monarchy
8. Terrestria II : Thrive
9. Circles In The Sky
10. Sun Told
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]Enter album length here[/length]
[record_label]Metal Blade Records[/record_label]
[release_date]21st August 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
Known far and wide that their debut album The Conscious Seed Of Light was incredibly highly regarded. Not only being a stunning debut but exhibiting material and more importantly a sound that hasn’t been made use of before. Now the band return for their second strike. The decidedly more deadly Monarchy. In keeping with their abstract theme of the seasons the second album continues the theoretical arc of seasons, particularly dealing with summer.
Beginning with the sullen atmospheric introduction of “Heirless” this weightless sense of ethereal clarity pregnant with a sense of anticipation followed up by single “Perpetual Growth Machine” which encapsulates all that the band encompass at this young stage in their life cycle. Not to mention an absolutely stunning guitar solo from guitarist Jon Topore much of the album acts as a one click listen, creating an effortless sense of continuity within the record. Mirroring the metaphysical concept the album grows, beginning with simple ideas until they bloom into beautiful pictures illustrating the ideas put upon us.
As the listen moves on constituents are explored more and more, uncharted territory is fearlessly navigated and done so with style. Subtly gnawing away at the listener “Sand Baptism” see’s the band begin their progressive ascent. Though it’s when the album reaches its conceptual climax that the band truly begin to spread their wings. Most importantly however the jump isn’t sudden, throughout the album the band have been gradually getting more technical, less breakdowns essentially making the band seem far more mature.
However the key word to retain from here is gradual, slowly guiding the listener through the process until the stabilisers are off and the band are set free. After the 21st century take on Spheres Of Madness ending of title track “Monarchy“. The band enter instrumental territory, with a fretless bass enlisted the production sings through whale sounding bass lines on “Terrestria II : Thrive“. Containing a slightly experimental samba style bridge, that owing to the band’s style doesn’t sit out of place. Soaring to its majestic finale of “Circles In The Sky” and the seven minute “Suntold“. Making excellent use of the atmospheric sound the band have caught whilst simultaneously ramping up the tension.
From the potential that was shown on the band’s first record the band have evolved in every sense of the word. Sometimes taking years to truly develop a band’s sound, I would argue that Rivers Of Nihil have, if not understood themselves as a band but have formed their identity. Something that can sometiemes never even happen for a band. Taking charge of their instruments, refining song writing to really nail the concept that the band have been going for and quite simply have created one of the best examples of originality in a long time.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]An incredibly versatile and ultimately mature listen from such a young band is commendable. Rivers Of Nihil have not only evolved but have excelled beyond anyone’s expectations with Monarchy.[/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up River of Nihil’s brand new record here.
