Too Heavy To Hug #704
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Too Heavy To Hug #704

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.
Let’s continue to count down THTH’s Top 5 albums of 2018:
5) Sevendust – All I See Is War
4) Sumac – Love In Shadow
3) Rivers of Nihil – Where Owls Know My Name
Progressive death metal can be hit and miss and Rivers of Nihil have definitely hit the mark with their third album, Where Owls Know My Name. The album is a flowing musical journey that includes jazzy undertones, electronic highlights and acoustic passages throughout the progressions while maintaining crushing heaviness, amazing chugging riffs and great vocals.
‘Subtle Change (Including the Forest of Transition)’ is the most progressive track on offer and is definitely not subtle, ‘Hollow’ is straight up traditional metal that pounds its way across nearly six minutes, while ‘A Home’ and ‘Old Nothing’ best exemplify Rivers of Nihil’s brand progressive metal. The instrumental ‘Terrestria III: Wither’ is a haunting, heavily electronic, dragging instrumental. There’s also parts of saxophone peppered throughout the album but they don’t come across as a gimmicky since they fit so well within the tracks.
Where Owls Know My Name is a dense and layered album that requires many listens to appreciate all that is going on within and the progressive nature of the album makes repeat listens all the more enjoyable. As stated above, progressive death metal can be hit and miss, much like all the other sub genres of death metal, and Rivers of Nihil have pushed metal forward with this album as it shows that there really are no boundaries when all is considered.
Next issue we’ll finish off THTH’s Top 5 of 2018.
In other news
Ballarat’s Blaze Music Festival featuring Dead City Ruins, Hadal Maw, Dreadnaught, Whoretopsy, Frankenbok and many more will be held at Karova Lounge on Saturday January 26.
The 10th annual Progfest featuring The Ocean and Monuments, with more to be announced, will be held at Melbourne’s The Croxton on Saturday January 26.
Alestorm will be at Melbourne’s Croxton on Saturday February 9.
Watain will play Melbourne’s Max Watts on Friday February 22.
Devin Townsend will release his new album Empath in March 2019.
Ensiferum will be at Melbourne’s Max Watts on Saturday March 2.
Download 2019 will be held at Flemmington Racecourse on Monday March 11.
Soilwork will be at Max Watts on Saturday March 16.
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals along with King Parrot will play Max Watts on Friday March 22.
Emperor will play their landmark album Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk in its entirety at 170 Russell on Wednesday April 3.
Sevendust will play the Forum on Saturday April 27.
If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to [email protected] or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug
Written by Paul S Taylor