Halloween, for me, is the first milestone that signifies the year is reaching its end. The dog days of summer are a fleeting memory, daylight saving time has ended, it’s pitch black before dinner, and even in Florida, it’s starting to get uncomfortably cold. When Ne Obliviscaris made their stop in Tampa with Rivers of Nihil and Psycroptic, they were welcomed with whether you’d more likely find in the Arctic rather than sunny Florida, but that didn’t stop them from putting on an absolute heater.
When Psycroptic took the stage to poke and prod at their gear to make sure everything was ready to go, I turned to the security guard on the barrier and asked what time they were slated to start. He told me “in about 20 minutes”, which was quickly followed by the band launching into “We Were the Keepers” less than thirty seconds later. It was a hilarious and fitting start to the night, proving Psycroptic weren’t waiting around for anyone.
The Australian outfit has been around since 1999, and they continue to push the envelope even after all this time. Jason Keyser, vocalist of fellow tech-death metal band Origin, is filling in on vocal duties for this tour, and you could tell he was having an absolute blast doing so. He constantly provoked the crowd, urging them to move up and around, and even made a deadpan remark about “losing his Australian accent” since the last time they came through Tampa (Keyser is from New York).
It’s tough being an opening act, especially on a Wednesday, outdoors, and in the brutal cold, but Psycroptic were up to the task and put on an insane set to get the crowd warmed up. Their performance was technical, crushing, and incredibly entertaining. They ripped through a diverse collection of songs from their back catalog, including their newest single from earlier this year, “Architects of Extinction.”
I’ve been to a lot of shows over the years and have seen plenty of bands who are very tight, so it’s not always impressive when a band sounds like they do on an album. But these guys really did take it up a notch or two (this will be a recurring theme throughout the night).
Next up were Pennsylvania’s favorite sons, Rivers of Nihil. Way back in 2010, before they even released their debut EP, I did a photo shoot with them when we were all just fresh-faced babies. I doubt any of us had an idea of the trajectory the band would take back then, and it’s been amazing to follow them over the years as they continue to release incredible music and gain recognition and praise.
Unlike the opening act, their setlist was far less diverse as they were strictly playing their new self-titled record front to back. The band opened with “The Sub-Orbital Blues”, which to me is a perfect distillation of their sound: crushingly heavy, melodic, full of great sing-along sections, existentially themed, and, maybe most importantly, it’s got saxophone.
Rivers of Nihil aren’t the first death metal band to feature sax in their music, but they’re certainly leading the charge for its glorious resurgence. Touring saxophonist Patrick Corona received a huge reaction when he took the stage for the first time, and every time he appeared after that, the crowd made sure the saxman felt all the love.
This is bassist Adam Biggs’ first album since taking over lead vocal duties back in late 2022, though he’s handled harsh vocals since the band’s inception. Andy Thomas, who joined in 2023, plays rhythm guitar and provides clean vocals. You might expect these lineup changes to drastically alter the band’s sound, but instead, they’ve allowed it to evolve. Biggs’ harsh vocals fit perfectly (and honestly aren’t far off from former vocalist Jake Dieffenbach’s, though I prefer Biggs’ delivery), while Thomas’ clean range makes for a perfect counterpart.
Hearing the new album played in full was remarkable, as it is indeed the ideal (and most certainly intended) way to experience it. There are plenty of ebbs and flows that allow each member to highlight their chops while others take a quick breather, making for a dynamic and compelling live show. Sure, some fan favorites are missed this way, but I personally find this approach much more interesting.
Rivers of Nihil continue to impress, and it’ll be exciting to see how this tour influences the sound of their next studio album.
Last but not least came the night’s headliners: Ne Obliviscaris. The band attempted to get through their opener from Citadel, “Painters of the Tempest (Part I): Wyrmholes”, three separate times before power issues kept cutting the sound from the stage. After a 20-minute delay (and some borrowed equipment from the guys in Rivers of Nihil and a Herculean effort from the crew), the technical issues were finally subdued, and the band was ready to perform not one but two full albums: the aforementioned Citadel and 2023’s Exul.
Even after the technical dilemma, the band was in high spirits. Perhaps it’s just that famed Australian easy-going temperament, but they clearly didn’t let it bother them as they powered through their songs. As with the other bands on the bill, Ne Obliviscaris were ridiculously tight. Similar to Rivers of Nihil’s use of saxophone, Ne Obliviscaris features Tim Charles on violin. However, Charles also handles clean vocal duties, so his presence on stage is much more front-and-center. The crowd was clearly just fans of non-traditional metal instruments because anytime Charles readied his violin, the crowd erupted into raucous cheering.
Ne Obliviscaris’ albums are full of variety and tempo changes, allowing members to step off-stage and take breaks as the set progresses. I can’t imagine touring two full albums almost every night for a month, but this variety ensures that none of the band members are totally burnt out after a set.
Because the show was outdoors, and the earlier issues caused delays, I was worried their set would be cut short. Thankfully, they managed to complete both albums in full just before 11:30 p.m., before any commotion from law enforcement trying to enforce noise ordinances. The crowd was deeply appreciative to experience the full performance, and the band spent time by the barricade afterward to thank the fans who stuck it out.
This tour lineup is an absolute marathon, almost a test of endurance. But as the year winds down, the weather cools, and you find yourself in need of a good binge, why not cozy up with your fellow metalheads and enjoy some neck flicks and chill? [extremely loud incorrect buzzer]
