Composer/Musician Reacts to Rivers of Nihil - Where Owls Know My Name (REACTION!!!)

Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on Rivers of Nihil "Where Owls Know My Name" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
ORIGINAL VIDEO: • Rivers of Nihil - Wher...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/criticalreactions
Twitter: critreactions

[@metalbladerecords]

Thanks for taking the time to check this out! The Rivers dudes are currently writing the follow up to this album!

[@tam2071]

Ohhhhhh 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

[@thebreakfastman4638]

I was waiting for another one!

[@fotismonocheir1446]

fuck yeag

[@christopherblowers443]

Wtf!

[@wstone2010]

Yassssss

[@shockthemonkey7046]

At 64 years of age it’s been a long time since a rock band has left me with a sense of awe and wonder - this track blew my mind and made me feel like a teenager again.

[@richardbutkis]

The whole album is amazing. Definitely top album of the year for 2018.

[@shockthemonkey7046]

Sean Ramon yep on the strength of where owls know my name which I stumbled on last year it’s on my playlist - I love 6 of the tracks and warming towards the more hardcore death metal numbers, a genre of metal I’ve always thought a bit one dimensional though appreciate incredibly good technically. There’s hope for this old boomer yet :)

[@ThcBanaman]

@@shockthemonkey7046 Dude also check the previous album Monarchy. I listened to that after owls and I almost liked it even more tbh!!! Circles in the sky is one of my all time favorites

[@petegrusky2715]

Try Haken or Igorrr mate, They will fuck with your brain, in the best possible ways! But this also is incredible...

[@shockthemonkey7046]

Pete Grusky I see Igorrr uploads on KZbin - will give them a go and Haken....

[@stevenlee7]

This community is choosing such good songs for you dude.

[@jctheii]

Steven Lee F A C T S

[@calumkodak]

The "tambourine player" is Andy Thomas from Black Crown Initiate who coincidentally have just released a banger of a single which you'd enjoy! Black Crown Initiate - Invitation.

[@Rose-From-the-Dead]

This made me so happy! Do yourself a favor and just listen to the whole album by the same name. It made pretty much every metal critic's list of best albums of 2018. The entire thing is an absolute masterpiece. This is actually one of the weaker songs on the album in my opinion. They also get much heavier than this at times. And yes, the sax is used beautifully and tastefully throughout the album. Everyone's mind was pretty blown when it came out.

[@ckokomo808]

frostogtaake funny, I just listened to it on my run this morning. Was one of my top 5 albums of 2018. Love the flow of the album and the climax at the end. So many great moments- atmospheric, heavy, beautiful, etc.

[@gedgemondod8808]

I fucking love this song, makes me cry

[@4uvak666]

Slugdge - Esoteric Malacology album also blew my mind, like I found both this bands from Spotify Gojira Radio playlist few weeks ago lol. This new djenty style is fun to listen.

[@evantarracciano4211]

Bryan - I can't thank you enough for taking a chance with these guys and letting me know what you think from your perspective. The enthusiasm the band has is contagious, and during these crazy times where everything seems so hectic in the world, taking a step back and listening to something that mellows you out can do wonders. To answer some of your questions about the band that yoiu raised - their 2018 album (also called Where Owls Know My Name) is widely regarded as the best heavy metal compilation of the year - from top to bottom the tracks are utterly phenomenal. Other songs are more layered and complex, showing more of a pro style to them (Death is Real and A Home immediately come to mind) - but the band generally sits on the line of groove metal and hard rock. If you enjoyed this track as much as I think that you did, I'd highly encourage you to give the album a listen, or one of the other singles that also have music videos - A Home and The Silent Life. Wishing you all the best from Georgia, and thank you again my friend!

[@ryans8907]

You have to, and I mean have to do "A home" by rivers of nihil now. It's a little different from this song but the same concept. You would love it

[@MrDraehl]

Liked the review and agree a fun video! You should try Gorod's 'Transcendence' - I typically prefer more atmospheric or moody metal, but this song truly does the 'overcomplicated instrument wankery' idea and truly make it work.

[@calebbryan840]

A home is my favorite on the album

[@simonf943]

Great song!

[@evanp9146]

The entire album deserves to be listened to in it's entirety. It's an absolute masterpiece.

[@lashedandscorned]

he has to do Silent Life aswell

[@proadam09]

This whole album is easily one of the best metal albums of the entire decade, and hands down my album of the year in 2018. Worth checking out the entire work.

[@lashedandscorned]

Entire decade? Obscura's Omnivium, and Spawn Of Possession's Incurso would like to have a word. I heavily recommend checking those out. It is a damn good album though.

[@simonf943]

You said one thing that I think is what defines Rivers of Nihil for me. That the song was chill even when it was heavy. The whole album is like that, really heavy but really chill at the same time, even though some songs are heavier than this one. I really get relaxed listening to it.

[@MikeCaputo]

The singer with the tambourine is actually a guest on this track, he sings for Black Crown Initiate

[@paravarium]

Yesssssss. Beastly album! Something i would have requested myself, but it has enough momentum on it's own that i can instill my faith in your community to bring it to your ears. My push for Sleep Token - Higher has been quite a lonely trek, but it's worth persistence if all i gotta do is type it every so often ^_^

[@jonathanr2068]

hey ill join you on that one! after watching more of his videos i know why you suggest sleep token! its like he keeps asking for them but dosnt know it yet!

[@ryanschindler923]

The tambourine player and saxophone player aren't full time members, tambourine guy is from Black Crown Initiate but they did get the sax guy to tour with them so they could play the whole album live. They have much heavier stuff but the whole album has a nice ebb and flow to it, but the video just adds so much to this song and really makes it something special and completely bad ass.

[@jonathanpetrucelli7733]

If you want something more progressive from this band, check out The Subtle Change.

[@nissyenarts]

Imo best track they've ever made.

[@zuus85]

And if you want to see how crazy talented the drummer is check out A Home.

[@brunocosta6849]

@@nissyenarts For sure. My favorite from all discography still is Circles In The Sky, but Subtle Change seconds close!

[@thesavagecaveman]

That's definitely my favorite song from the album

[@arbabasukalsar4361]

My favourite RoN song

[@Samtastic666]

I really enjoy 'The Silent Life' from the same album. These guys are so much fun

[@calebbenoit7011]

my current favorite song

[@jen.g.]

This is from one of my top 5 albums of 2018. I love that they had fun with the video. Random: They actually asked fans to bring stuffed owls to their shows to donate to kids. Just pledged on Patreon. 😊

[@CriticalReactions]

Not only are they an amazing band and know how to have fun but they are wholesome as well? Yeah, I'm gonna pick this album up soon. Also, thanks for the pledge.

[@Alexisking222]

I love this song so much man, and I'm so happy you got around to hearing it! The entire album is amazing, and flows together like a Pink Floyd record

[@KentuckyFriedJohansson]

I recommend Mgła - Excercises in Futility V, a great piece of music, especially the drum work.

[@FinneousPJ1]

Very different from this obviously but very good as well

[@nisinduperera7130]

Live one would be amazing

[@ThinkShink]

Probably the best song that ever existed. And to say that's among incredible competition is a HILARIOUS understatement.

[@petegrusky2715]

That drum work is heavily paternal, nothing really interesting!

[@nisinduperera7130]

@@petegrusky2715 everyone's interests are not the same I find it interesting though

[@emilsteensen7481]

Check out their song "Old Nothing" - that is sweet! I saw them in November in Copenhagen, Denmark as they were warming up for Killswitch Engage - KSE were on their 'Atonement' tour with I AM, Rivers of Nihil, Fit For An Autopsy, and Carnifex. That was a craaazy night \m/

[@damienvalentine3871]

Whole album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ragingstorm79]

Normally only two singers, the high pitched one with the tambourine at the start is the clean singer/lead guitarist from Black Crown Initiate

[@michaelbarnard3732]

I am so glad you got to this song, this band is one of my favorite You Tube discoveries, right alons side Jinjer and Spiritbox.

[@tristanrettich7045]

Twelve Foot Ninja - Coming for you reaction would be great

[@rtdedz1284]

Dude on the tambourine is actually not in the band; he sings the cleans on this song and is the main creative mind and guitarist/vocalist from another deadly proggy death metal band, Black Crown Initiate.

[@rtdedz1284]

Who also fuckin rip

[@unrealskunkworks]

LoL, wow, I had no idea that was the guy from Black Crown Initiate.

[@jctheii]

FUCK YES! Ranked as my favorite album of 2018, and one of the greatest releases of the last decade 🔥

[@ludvigrassmus8599]

Native Construct - Mute for more btbam-esque wacky prog metal

[@christopherpoore795]

Definitely on board with Native Construct but I would recommend Chromatic Aberration for maximum crazy wackyness

[@CriticalReactions]

2 more hours to wait!

[@tristanb2009]

@@CriticalReactions Please react to Chromatic Abberation

[@matteopriotto5131]

The tambourine player is not actually in the band, he is the guitarist/clean singer in a band called Black Crown Initiate. Anyway, you should totally check out Incantations by Anciients. Probably I'll be the only one to tell you but it's an incredibly beautiful song by one hell of a band.

[@tylerpd52]

Check out Extremophile Elite live by Between the Buried and Me, if you haven't already

[@brunocosta6849]

Would love that. Extremophile Elite or Sun of Nothing

[@jeremylaplace1712]

Second that

[@tylerpd52]

@@brunocosta6849 definitely both

[@sthjr112358]

Haha I suggested this on your video yesterday. Excellent surprise 👍

[@1AlasBabylon]

A lot of people have suggested some amazing tracks from Owls (it *really* is a phenomenal album) but my personal pick would be The Silent Life. Has a crushing start, an excellent bridge with ample use of the sax, and some fantastic transitions, including a vocal climax near the end of the bridge that captured me the first time I listened to itn

[@basedjorts]

The tambourine guy is actually Andy Thomas from Black Crown Initiate. He did guest vocals on the intro, so I guess they tried to fit him in the video somehow.

[@dvrocha]

amazing reaction just listen to the entire album best album that i've heard... (with the same name as this music)

[@TheLinkMedic]

i dont even know how many times ive listened to this album

[@dandandy1863]

These guys also absolutely slay it live. Can really recommend gowing to their shows! They also personally attended the merch stand at both shows I visited and were very nice to talk to!

[@tparkerino]

Your comment at 5:02 with that genuine smile puts a smile on my face. So genuine and feels so good

[@sicboi80]

Glad you enjoyed this song as much as I do. These guys are so good.

[@TheLegendofGumby]

3:03 dude your face when you heard that sax! Lmao perfectly sums up how I felt as well

[@tinflowers]

Hell yeah bro! Got to see this whole album performed live in a bowling alley last year.

[@johnnytrapphone6569]

One of the best bands I've ever seen live 💯... Super down to earth nice guys too!

[@joshualynn9913]

Had the opportunity to hang out with the lead singer Jake after a couple shows. Really cool dude

[@luxserpentis]

I'm really good friends with their drummer Jared. I miss that beautiful, Jesus looking man.

[@thebluriam]

This reaction makes me happy!

[@connorrodenfels338]

This is an album you probably want to do a whole album review on, it's actually that good. Plus I think album reviews would be super sick.

[@francoislemieux1443]

Go check the whole record if you liked that, it's my favorite release of last year. Very nice flow, alternating from Death metal to smooth jazz saxophone

[@basedjorts]

The guy playing the tambourine and singing in the beginning of the video is Andy Thomas from Black Crown Initiate. They are another awesome band you should check out.

[@stevemarston2936]

Wow okay, don't mention *my* request for this song. Glad to see you're doing it though. Also, it's pronounced like "Nile" If you haven't already, check out the rest of this album. It's absolutely incredible, and the guest sax makes a few more appearances.

[@CriticalReactions]

Apologies about not seeing your name. This was a highly recommended band and there were so many requests, I tried to fit as many people onto the screen as possible.

[@stevemarston2936]

@@CriticalReactions Oh no worries, just kidding

[@clintonr.6581]

You need to do "A Home" by them. Such an awesome track, each member delivers.

[@helenripley5523]

I ain't been to a gig for a cupla years and wot a band to see to get back into it, rivers and black crown supporting, amazing night! my ears hurt for 3 days! fukin worth it! \m/

[@nathanlangley6470]

Dude I have seen this band live and the are my favorite band live, they had the saxophonist on stage it was amazing very different.

[@CharlesEMurphy]

This is really fantastic! I have this album and just love it.

[@Fuckaue]

This album made me feel like a teen discovering metal for the first time. OMG! This is so good! Ps: I really recommend and want to see a Pain of Salvation reaction.

[@LukeWatts85]

"I did know I needed that". Exactly! That should be the quoted review on this album cover.

[@CriticalReactions]

You guys get in contact with record labels and I'll gladly let them use my quotes on album covers 😂

[@MaximeCloutier]

Favorite song of 2018. Just fuckin' perfect.

[@LuStrangerIV]

I've just recently happened upon these guys and I was also pleasantly, surprised. The Song "The Silent Life," is an Absolutely, Incredible song. The Entire Album is Great and you should listen to it in it's entirety. their first two albums are good, as well, but they Definitely matured on Owls.

[@rmidthun]

Metal + X is pretty much my favorite genre. Some other unusual songs and bands to check out. Haken - The Cockroach King Diablo Swing Orchestra - Of Kali Ma Calibre Mr. Bungle - Quote Unquote (warning track begins quietly and ends with noises, the whole CD was that way) Devin Townsend - The Mighty Masturbater Igorrr - Opus Brain (the video is a must see) Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - The Donkey-Headed Adversary of Humanity

[@ckokomo808]

rmidthun Super Solid list!! Hope he checks them out.

[@stoyanorozov7279]

You need to check out Extremophile Elite by BTBAM the live version :D

[@hammeredseb7198]

I enjoy interacting with composer's/musicians that have never done anything metal. Especially because metal of any type or style is all I've ever done my entire life. It's so much fun

[@longingbydesign]

This is among my favorite findings on my year-long search for an "old-Opeth" surrogate. Others: "Ikuinen Kaamos - Indoctrination of the Lost", "Gwnybleidd - Nostalgia", "Anciients - Raise the Sun", "Iapetus - ... of Hangmen and Vertebrae", "Obsidian Tide - Pillars of Creation/Hireath/Magnanimous". I'm certain you'd dig any and all of these.

[@AmongTheFence]

Awesome review. I reviewed their whole album and found that my favorite track on the album was The Silent Life.

[@maaaaaap]

The clean singer in the beginning is a featured singer from another band called Black crown initiate which probably is why it's not used more here. their most progressive song is probably Subtle Change, atleast from this album

[@michaelmajewski9958]

Really enjoy your videos! Your reactions, interpretations (both lyrically, artistically, musically), and wide variety of songs you listen to are awesome! Keep up the great work! Here are some suggestions of songs you might enjoy: -“Walk with me in hell” by Lamb of God -“Atoma” by Dark Tranquility -“The Chosen Pessimist” or “Deliver Us” or “Crawl Through Knives” by In Flames -“Wrong Direction” or “The Bee” or “The Golden Elk” by Amorphis -“Mourning Star” or “Say Goodnight” by Gemini Syndrome -“From the Flame” by Leprous -“Heavy Hands” or “Decimation & Burial” by Oh, Sleeper I’ve got lots more, but figured this could be a start.

[@marmalade4389]

Yoooo, it's such a banger. Inferi is also another amazing band I recommend checkimg out- behold the bearer of light

[@Oraborus19]

watch it again and try to find all the Orcs

[@CriticalReactions]

Wait......there are orcs?

[@Oraborus19]

@@CriticalReactions well now you gotta watch it again

[@jctheii]

Critical Reactions yes dude 😂

[@daegzy3031]

A somewhat similar feeling band is Black Crown Initiate (one of my favorite bands ever). I would love to see you talk about anything of theirs.

[@helenripley5523]

Yep, saw 'em both live last September, both awesome together! Wot a night! \m/

[@evanp9146]

Another good band out of Pennsylvania you should check out is Black Crown Initiate. One of the members is featured in Where Owls Know my Name, performing the clean vocals in the beginning of the song. Black Crown Initiate are a progressive deathmetal band out of Pennsylvania. Check out any of these songs, The Great Mistake Withering Waves Selves we Cannot Forgive Or off their upcoming album, Years in Frigid Light, or Invitation. The lyrics are heavily based on Nihilism, and Existentialism. Andy Thomas has drawn a lot of inspiration from the writings of Nietzsche, and they aim to portray the image of a being at war with themselves. They are a very talented band, and are a bit heavier than Rivers of Nihil, but absolutely worth listening to if you enjoyed Where Owls Know my Name.

[@makjak111]

The ginger beard vocalist is just doing guest vocals. He's from black crown initiate

[@Oleka93]

Would be fun to see a reaction to "The madness and the damage done" by Shining!

[@GanjawarsLostPro]

I love this album but never seen this clip... goddamn, they are fun

[@FrshChees91]

My favorite album of 2018! I'm going to suggest a band I've only just heard of in the past week, and I can't believe I hadn't heard them before. Entheos - Black Static (I) / White NOise (II)

[@drmegawhits6548]

Not to pat myself on the back or anything, but your viewers have some great taste in music. Constantly suggesting some of my favorites

[@CriticalReactions]

Dude, I gotta agree. I get recommended some fantastic stuff!

[@TundraCH]

Check out The Promethean Kings by Inferi, technical melodic death metal, extremely good instrumentals

[@helldog7502]

TundraL5Z yoooo

[@SoroISF]

Tundra, you listen to Inferi too? My man! I've known you as a BTBAM fan for a while, that's for sure lol

[@TundraCH]

@@SoroISF nah not just btbam man, a lot of stuff, check my lastfm, same name as my youtube

[@SoroISF]

@@TundraCH I'll check it out for sure! Only reason I said that is because I'm always seeing your name in the comments for BTBAM vids or other reaction channels, is all. Cheers!

[@S0lar90]

Hey there Bryan :) I really aprreciate that you won't pause the Songs for Reactions like many other Folks out there, also a great Selection of Music so far, keep it up! :) Have some more Suggestions for the Future before i leave your Comment Section: Tesseract - Retrospect Igorrr - ieuD Cult of Luna - In Awe Of Der Weg Einer Freiheit - Einkehr (imo one of the most underrated Bands in German Metal at the moment) Buzzov•en - Never Again Sepultura - Refuse/Resist Light Bearer - Lapsus Giles Corey (The Giles Corey Album, well that might be more of a Thing to listen in private)

[@Schopenhauer69]

One of the best metal albums to come out in the last decade or so

[@ParadoxTimeline]

Trepalium - Moonshine Limbo! Don't think these french guys get suggested that often but they're quite entertaining.

[@HarmonicResonanceScale]

this whole album is crazy and probably one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@martyngregg2527]

Twelve Foot Ninja - Coming For You it´s a mix of metal, funk and bossa nova.

[@xavierbonilla1164]

Finally!!! Love rivers...one of the best albums this past decade... Extremophile elite by between the Buried and me goddammit! 😎😝

[@dyllanbrown1906]

More between the buried and me please. Every song is very different so maybe extremophile elite or something off of coma Ecliptic like memory palace or famine wolf

[@daniboi2457]

Since you listened to this song, I highly recommend The Subtle Change by these guys too. Also Extremophile elite by between the buried and me would be an amazing song for you to react to

[@bradn8541]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Night Verses. Really underappreciated band, I feel. They have a couple great playthrough videos on their KZbin. Overall, I think Earthless really showcases their different sounds.

[@jonathanpetrucelli7733]

The tambourine guy and the saxophonist aren’t in the band, but a lot of the other songs on the album have saxophone on them

[@fpjesus2000]

Nice! Check out Chromatic Aberration by Native Construct, absolutely crazy.

[@pepi678]

if you're diggin on the more proggy death metal stuff might I recomend Slugdge, Their latest album esoteric malacology is fantastic. The Spectral Burrows, Crop killer and Salt thrower being something worth taking a listen too.

[@getmeouttahere7638]

I bet you'd enjoy Paper Moon by Plini. He's a melodic and structural genius. Plus it's jazz fusion prog metal, so it has to be good.

[@hobojungle1]

The video is funny but I dislike that it is the visual introduction to the band for a lot of people. I recommend listening to the whole album (including this song sans the video). It’s incredible. It was definitely my album of the year for 2018. They also have a music video for the track “A Home” from the same album which is cool and worth watching.

[@fakesmileiscool1245]

You should check out Wilderun, either The unimaginable zero summer, far from where dreams unfurl or the tyranny of imagination. Slice the cake also has my favourite album of all time, odyssey to the west, I'd probably recommend stone and silver part 1 - the mountains of man

[@coulombeQC]

This whole album is legit!

[@brunocosta6849]

The main composers, Adam Biggs (bassist) and Brody Utley (Lead Guitar) are heavy influenced by the late '60s, '70s sound and bands like Pink Floyd and King Crimson. You for sure can see the psychedelic influence in their sound (well, at least in this last record). The main point you pointed out, the fun, the passion in what they write, is to me what difers them from most bands from nowadays, the really like what they do, they try to outdo themselves and themselves only, having fun in the process! The tambourine guy, Andy Thomas, is not part of the band, he is the lead guitarist/vocalist to the band Black Crown Initiate. BCI and Rivers of Nihil are close personal friends and they are both from Reading, PA; hence the vocal/tambourine feature in this song. For proggy stuff from them, I strongly recommend Subtle Change from the same record. Actually i recommend you hear front-to-back the entire record outside youtube, as it is a conceptual album, and my PERSONAL pick for album of the decade. I must also recommend Wilderun - The Unimaginable Zero Summer, because you are in for a treat my dude. Great content, thanks for reviewing my favorite band! Stay safe Bryan, these are crazy days we live in.

[@CrabJuice83]

You should give Mgła - Exercises in Futility V a shot. The drummer is amazeballs. If you'd rather have drum-cam version there's a great one from Brutal Assault 2019, on Drummers from Hell's youtube channel.

[@Jaymzmiller]

:O They have the clean singer from Black Crown Initiate! Speaking of whom... go listen to Black Crown Initiate. The full EP 'Song of the Crippled Bull', it's like 21 minutes long. Heavy as shit, you'll love it.

[@yotambraunshtein9786]

Just so you know they have heavier songs and yeah great dudes saw them live at NYC they played after nekrogoblikon and before the faceless you should check those 2

[@VildhjartaFanGurl]

Ok listen to all the commenters here. Listen to other albums from these guys but you have to look up the tabs and drums in musical notation.

[@voidwoken]

Dude i wish you would check out Sybreed - A.E.O.N . the atmosphere they create is just fantastic :D

[@nissyenarts]

WORD! 👍🏻🇨🇭

[@alf3018]

Thanks you

[@Hels_vessel]

Tuning is F# C# F# B E G# for any bassist out there wanting to play this but you only use the F#, C#, F#, B, and E strings.

[@bennymountain1]

The tambourine guy is actually the one singing the clean part in the beginning.

[@Schm1tty]

This is one of the best albums of 2018, good choice

[@samuelfiello9558]

I recommend checking out Cleric- The Treme for something wild and experimental.

[@billybobthekidiswack]

if you getta chance check out "Slice the cake- Kow otani castle in the sky"

[@zachpeters4253]

Check out Destroyer by Inferi! melodeath fused with techdeath!

[@aznkriss133]

Ooh, you should do Intronaut - Cubensis