Rivers of Nihil, Where Owls Know My Name (2018)

By Jack Rafferty

Music is subjective and irrational. It is a realm where terms such as “perfect” are essentially meaningless. However, in the spirit of subjectivity, Where Owls Know My Name is a near-perfect album to me. Rivers of Nihil has been a band that I have followed for years now, and their evolution has impressed me quite a bit. In true Vivaldi fashion, each album from Rivers of Nihil has centered on a season. The Conscious Seed of Light (2013) was their full-length emergence, and so spring was the appropriate theme for this inception. It was a powerful beginning, yet also exemplified healthy room for growth. Two years later came Monarchy, blistering summer. A refinement was achieved here, and a greater clarity grasped by the band. While I enjoyed Seed of Light quite a lot (fucking “Rain Eater” nearly knocked me on my ass when I first heard it), it was Monarchy that, for me, solidified Rivers of Nihil as one of the most exceptional technical death metal bands around. Tracks such as “Sand Baptism” and “Suntold” are remarkable.

Now, with Where Owls Know My Name, we enter autumn, a season of silencing, of whispering fallen leaves, of shedding what was to reveal something else beneath, something bare and brutal and raw, a season of both vibrant beauty and stark desaturation. Such a change thematically warrants experimentation with sound, tremulous territory that Rivers of Nihil did not tread lightly. On the contrary, they strode courageously through the mire, and that confidence reflects in the music. The choice to take a more progressive approach was a bold one, considering how fragile the reactions to changing what is already cemented as being great to many can be. While the band members spoke of being initially hesitant to a slight degree, you cannot tell such trepidation ever existed with how powerfully these new elements are exuded, and how masterfully they are integrated.

From the very beginning of the opening track, “Cancer/Moonspeak,” this is evident. A somber, slow, softly spoken introduction, with few notes being played. They give everything time to breathe, to seep in, and once the backing vocals arise, the listener is immediately shown the emotional depth that is to come. These vocals, beginning at a higher register to contrast with and compliment the spoken, almost whispered fronting vocals, soon soar only to fall suddenly and painfully. It is as though one had just then felt such immense loss that they crumpled to their knees and wailed, wailed in agony at all the ungraspable injustice the world is replete with. It was from that moment that I knew this album would be special.

A transition into “The Silent Life” detonates, and we are treated to the first real riff of the album. This song is very much about making statements for what is to come. This riff is the first. It is very simple, and un-technical, in a sense. To me, this is the band stating that they do not need speed or technicality to write good music that is engaging. The riff is at a rather slow tempo, and is accompanied by a blast beat that offers a pleasing dissimilarity, which also gives the listener an idea of how contrasts will be implemented in the music to come. A saxophone solo is not far off, which is the largest statement this track makes, as it cements the fact of radical change that Rivers of Nihil is making with this album. This song also has my favorite guitar solo of the album.

The next track, “A Home,” is one of my personal favorites. The opening riff is once again simple, yet seems to still hold immense weight. It is presented alone, allowing the listener to really take in the brilliant, dense tone and production quality that is achieved on this album. The song then transitions into an ambient section where the drums take center stage, and rightfully so, as they are particularly well done on this track. Then comes the second riff, which is probably the best I have heard in a long time. Again, it is simple, but conveys superb melodies effortlessly. It has the feeling of “this is all I need to do to construct this melody, or to evoke this emotion, and that is all I will use.” This seems exceedingly rare in technical death metal (which, to some degree, is understandable, given that this genre isn’t usually striving for such a goal, but it is refreshing nonetheless). The melodies and interactions between different elements throughout are executed in such a unique and rewarding manner, that it endows each note with meaning.

This is what I mean when I say that Rivers of Nihil is confident in their songwriting. They have the ability to be complex, fast, and technical, but they know that they do not need to rely upon it. Rather, they construct an emotional and sonic flow where every element seems to be used in exactly the right way at the right moment. The closest analogy that I can think of to describe this is the importance of character development, acting, and plot within film. Sure, things such as flashy visual style can be intriguing, or perhaps the use of interesting concepts to build upon can enhance a film, but unless that film has a soul (whatever the fuck that means), unless it can be felt and connected with and flows in a way that supports those various feelings of empathy, there is a certain sense of sterility, falseness, or simply a lack of quality present.

Perhaps the only moment on the album that I think falls a little short in terms of songwriting choice and pacing is during the track, “Subtle Change.” Beginning at the 1:48 mark, and going until approximately 2:51, is a sort of groovy section that transitions directly from a lofty, melodic, almost whispering atmosphere. While I understand the choice to subvert expectations in terms of structure and buildup (I think that is done well many times throughout the album), this is the one moment for me where it just doesn’t work, and it takes me out of the experience each time I hear it. However, this song also has some of my favorite moments on the album, including the chorus, which reminds me a good deal of a Black Crown Initiate chorus, and the outro, which is quite reminiscent of the dark acoustic compositions of Hypno5e (who also recently released a fantastic album).

Another example of what some would think to be a sonic divergence from the metal genre as a whole is the track “Terrestria III.” This track contains synth, electronica, more saxophone, and wouldn’t feel out of place in the Blade Runner score. On paper, such a thing seems completely inconsistent with Rivers of Nihil, yet it is integrated flawlessly, and adds even more wonderful variety and density to the soundscape of this album.

I previously mentioned Black Crown Initiate, which is even more appropriate considering the title track features Andy Thomas, whose clean vocals are possibly the best I know of in the genre. To me, this track also has the best use of the saxophone on the album. There is a far more meditative ambience that allows the saxophone to blend naturally with everything else. In addition, this song has one of my favorite choruses of the album. It is another example of how Rivers of Nihil embrace the “less is more” (at the right moment) philosophy.

The closing track, “Capricorn/Agoratopia” brings it all full circle by beginning as a slightly modified iteration of “Cancer/Moonspeak.” There is a repetition of the opening line, “Fear, fear drowns the mind…” and the backing vocals return, with similar tormented anguish, although more so. A sense of familiarity is established, yet there is acknowledgement of change, and the song structure recognizes and builds upon that. It culminates to one of the more brutal sections of the album (along with “Old Nothing” and “Death Is Real”), contrasting with the beginning wonderfully, then reverting to the thoughtful atmosphere, coupled with the saxophone once more, as though the closure to this album is a final statement of the band simultaneously embracing this change, while also not forgetting who they are or where they started. There is a sense of a sonic narrative permeating beyond the album itself, in addition to the narrative and thematic flow within the album.

In terms of songwriting, pacing, ability, presentation, production, and thematic and emotional depth, there are few equals to this album. While I have touched upon many tracks of Owls in a somewhat singular sense, this album must, I repeat, must be listened to as a whole and without distraction. Overall, Rivers of Nihil have produced an album that accomplishes a balance between the heaviness of death metal with more progressive, melodic elements masterfully. Beyond that, they are truly adept in building song structures that can be felt deeply at every moment throughout. Everything is placed exactly where it feels it should. Every note belongs. Nothing feels superfluous or excessive. There is both a conciseness and a complexity present. Despite the many influences and genres involved, Rivers of Nihil execute a compositional seamlessness that is unparalleled by most. I cannot overstate the intensity, intricacy, and depth of Where Owls Know My Name. If there is one album you listen to this year, make it this one.