There’s no arguing that 2018’s seminal release, Where Owls Know My Name, shot Pennsylvania progressive metallers Rivers of Nihil to the very pinnacle of the genre’s scene, as well as standing up as one of the finest albums the heavier end of progressive music has ever seen. With writing for follow-up The Work starting whilst touring that prior release, it faces an unenviable task of living up to what’s pretty much a perfect album. One need only look at the investment put into the September 24 release by the band and Metal Blade Records, though to see the confidence they have that Rivers of Nihil have pulled off the nigh-on impossible. Within the first two tracks, a demonstration of the band’s staggering range is brought with an almost theatrical opening of “The Tower” contrasting wonderful...