VentanA
Rivers of Nihil
Sixteen years and five albums after the Pennsylvania band’s formation, progressive death metal progenitors Rivers of Nihil are upping the ante with their 2025 self-titled album Rivers of Nihil. 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. Founding bassist Adam Biggs became the band’s new lead vocalist/bassist in 2023; the same year marked the appearance of additional guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently on Rivers of Nihil. Producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio captured the new dynamics across more than 50 minutes of music. On June 15, 2023, the band released a new single, “The Sub-Orbital Blues,” the first track with Biggs handling lead vocals (following the 2022 departure of singer Jake Dieffenbach, and also their first featuring Thomas). A second single, “Hellbirds,” dropped on October 19 of that year. On April 29, 2024, the band released the cut “Criminals” and an accompanying music video. Both “Criminals” and “The Sub-Orbital Blues” appear on Rivers of Nihil. The new album’s first single of 2025, “House of Light,” is a track the band believes “encapsulates the nature of what it is that we do perfectly while offering a different perspective on the sound with the new lineup,” explains founding member/guitarist Brody Uttley, who also plays piano and does the programming in the band. “Everything that our fans have come to love about our sound is demonstrated in this song with the new addition of Andy singing and Biggs on main vocals. It has the riffs, it has the big chorus, it has the prog, it has the solos, it has the sax. Just a real classic example of what we will do as a band in 2025.” Rivers of Nihil also showcases additional musicians, including Patrick Corona on alto saxophone; Stephan Lopez on banjo; McFarland on cello; and a slate of other guest vocalists. Further singles include “American Death,” a true-to-form beater that’s sure to slay live, and “Water & Time,” which Uttley says is Rivers’ “stab at writing a big chorus style synth-laden song. The main melody on synth came out so cool the band filled out the song with “metal band stuff” for the potent final version heard on Rivers of Nihil. Despite the fresh approach on Rivers of Nihil, the album fits neatly into the band’s discography. With Where Owls Know My Name (2018), Rivers of Nihil transcended all labels applied to them, and with its 2021 follow-up, The Work, they forged further into new territory. Metal Injection calling the latter album “by far the group’s most cohesive, ambitious, meditative, and varied effort, with greater uses of philosophical significance and transcendental respites.” The quartet’s musicianship has been honed to a fine point thanks to an unrelenting touring schedule over the past few years, including headline tours of the U.S. and EU/UK, as well as support slots on the Chaos and Carnage Tour (Cattle Decapitation, Carnifex, etc.), Lorna Shore, Between the Buried and Me, and shows with Killswitch Engage.
PSYCHOSTICK & GALACTIC EMPIRE
Castrator
Three years after their crushing debut Defiled in Oblivion, CASTRATOR returns with Coronation of the Grotesque, an album that not only exceeds all expectations but leaves them shattered in its wake, firmly cementing the band among the North American death metal elite. Touring with the likes of Immolation, Exhumed, and Cattle Decapitation has cemented CASTRATOR’s reputation as a commanding live force, and concert announcements in support of Coronation of the Grotesque are imminent.
All We Got is Us Fest
Day 1 with performances from: Dose, Setback, Failure Drill, Before I Depart, By All Means, In My Way, Sacred, Xablazex, Volition Day 2 with performances from: Identity crisis, Lead spirit, Position of Power, Primitive Rage, Exogen, Totaled, Nullify, Bootcamp, Yliv
Graveripper
Graverippper – blackened thrash from Indianapolis, IN “Known for speed, aggression and catchy, moshable riffs, Graveripper blend elements of black metal and thrash.” https://graveripper.bandcamp.com/ Sadistic Force – Balls out blackened speed metal assault from Austin, TX https://sadisticforce.bandcamp.com/
SPACED
SPACED is hardcore from Buffalo, NY. THE SISSY BOYS are from Muskegon, MI. Swing Youth is a Straight Edge Hardcore band. Established in 2024 by Des Moines teens.
THE BAND FEEL
THE BAND FEEL is a Rock band from St. Louis known for their dynamic sound that pays homage to the Classic Rock era while adding a modern twist. With influences ranging from 70’s rock to Laurel Canyon to mid-century jazz, FEEL has garnered attention for their high-energy performances and captivating songwriting. The band has quickly gained recognition within the industry, sharing stages with renowned acts such as Cheap Trick, Blackberry Smoke, 38 Special, Rival Sons, and more.
ARCHERS
ABOUT ARCHERS ARCHERS combine massive melodies and crushing heaviness with unrivaled passion and precision. The music of the Midwestern quartet connects deeply via confessional tales of broken hearts and mental anguish, building an intimate sense of community with outsiders from all corners of the world. After years of honing their craft on the road, at major rock festivals and touring alongside bands such as Asking Alexandria, Catch Your Breath, From Ashes to New, Magnolia Park and Imminence, the band has developed a knack for delivering high octane, head turning performances that resonate with their fans while continuing to win over a dedicated army of new fans with each performance. The Wisconsin band’s momentum is a testament to the strength of its soaring songs and magnetic live performances. Its fourth EP, Temporary High, was produced by Matt Good (Hollywood Undead, Sleeping With Sirens) and blends energetic pop and visceral metalcore into an evocative sound. Engaging frontman Nathanael Pulley and dynamic guitarist Ben Koehler first came together under the Archers banner in 2015, with the later addition of funk and R&B-loving bassist and vocalist Oscar Porter and hard rock-weaned drummer Grayson Mesarosh crystalizing the band’s definitive line-up. Each of the four came into heavy music via different gateways, from a mixture of metalcore and melodic rock bands as diverse as the Vans Warped Tour line-up, from pop-punk hooks to devastating breakdowns. Determination, passion, and authenticity are the beating heart of Archers. Even as Archers’ mission expands worldwide, the quartet is determined to remain true to themselves. This is evident to their most diehard fans, and it is precisely why what they are doing connects so profoundly.
Angel Du$t
Justice Tripp lives in the future. For nearly two decades, the musician has consistently been ahead of the curve: first with Trapped Under Ice, where he led the way for a new wave of heavy hardcore, and then as the mastermind behind Angel Du$t, where he blazed the trail for the current generation of aggressive musicians to branch out into unabashedly melodic territory. Tripp’s work is marked by an ever-evolving creativity that’s made him highly influential, but which has often put him a number of steps ahead of the very trends that he’s helped to inspire. Now Angel Du$t are back with their new album, Brand New Soul: a fearless and open-hearted tribute to all things rock, offering listeners a chance to be right there with them on the cutting edge. Tripp might forever be keeping an eye on the future, but Angel Du$t’s time is now. Tripp’s rock and roll circus is brought to life by an impressive cast of characters. Angel Du$t’s membership has always been made up of incredibly talented musicians, and Brand New Soul solidifies the key players with the live lineup of Daniel Star (guitar), Steve Marino (guitar), Zechariah Ghostribe (bass), and Thomas Cantwell (drums/percussion), as well as contributions from longtime collaborators like Daniel Fang (drums/percussion) and Pat McCrory (guitar), and vocal appearances from Mary Jane Dunphe and Citizen’s Mat Kerekes. “The band has always centered around me, but I’ve never written the music just for me,” explains Tripp. “It always felt like it was meant to be played by a band, I love the team effort. Angel Du$t isn’t about me–it’s about the spirit of rock music and the energy that that gives off. It’s like we’re committed to a cause.” The record feels like the sum of its eclectic parts, all united by Tripp’s daring and unshakeable creativity in the producer’s chair. “I wanted to just be able to try anything with no fear,” he says. “I can’t operate with fear. This record is about zero compromise, it’s about giving yourself over completely to what you’re doing. It’s not about ego, it’s about submitting yourself to this feeling–it’s rock and roll music, period. That’s it.” It’s this combination of heart and inventiveness that makes Brand New Soul such an endearing listen, and the record almost feels like a proof-of-concept for the daring spirit that’s led Tripp his entire life. His story is far from fully written, but ten years into Angel Du$t, it’s finally starting to seem clear that the songwriter’s many creative risks have paid off. The band’s influence is palpable, and Brand New Soul is poised with open arms to bring even more people into the unique world Tripp has created–one where stage dives and sweetness fit perfectly together, and everyone is welcome to get in on the fun. “The music bringing people together is the most important thing,” he says. “I would hope that the biggest impact we’ve had is just encouraging people to express themselves.”