In early 2024, iconic Brooklyn metal haven Saint Vitus was shut down suddenly by the city, leaving a noticeable hole in the metal scene. As anyone who experienced a show at Saint Vitus will tell you: it was a very special place. It was the CBGB of metal, if I may make the comparison.
Thankfully, this closing proved to be a temporary setback. Recent months teased Saint Vitus’ triumphant return, with former Bushwick venue Brooklyn Made stepping up to serve as the new sanctuary for Vitus—and, in turn, the new home for metal in New York City.
It was fitting that my first show at the reborn Vitus would be Rivers of Nihil. Seven years ago, I was fortunate enough to cover Rivers of Nihil’s full album performance of Where Owls Know My Name for Kerrang! at the old Vitus, and it was one of my most memorable shows there.
Not to mention that Rivers of Nihil knows a thing or two about rising from the ashes. The departure of frontman Jake Dieffenbach, in the middle of a tour, no less, put the band in a difficult position. Still, like Saint Vitus, they persevered and are now bigger and better than ever.
And let me tell you – that was on full display during their performance. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, let’s dive in to openers Scumbag and Outer Heaven.
SCUMBAG
Yonkers based Scumbag opened the night and delivered a super heavy set that showcased a mastery of instrumentation and an incredible depth of brutality in frontman Chase Lombardo’s vocals. Multiple songs were received by the crowd with delighted “fuck yeah”s at their completion, and rightfully so, as Scumbag set the perfect tone and the bar for the night ahead.
Before going any further, I have to express how blown away I was by the lights, the sound, and the overall experience of the new Saint Vitus. The OG venue often had you fighting for your life as a photographer—cramped spaces, low lights, and no escape from the pit. It’s what you loved about Vitus and what you feared as well. Now, there is room to mosh as well as space to chill, and the lighting production is insane. I’m thrilled for Saint Vitus and what the future holds for this amazing reincarnation.
OUTER HEAVEN
Outer Heaven took no prisoners and got right down to business. Frontman Austin Haines quickly showed his dissatisfaction with the lack of pit activity by hopping off the stage and moshing with fans himself. Haines succeeded in whipping the room into a frenzy—arms and legs immediately started flying in all directions. I respectfully bowed out to save myself and my camera gear, but not before receiving a swift kick to the back. Ah, there’s the old Vitus.
RIVERS OF NIHIL
While Scumbag and Outer Heaven’s sets were blasted with light, Rivers of Nihil took the stage in darkness. Opening with their namesake song to the roaring approval of the crowd, Rivers of Nihil immediately began tearing the house down. This is the fifth time I have had the pleasure of seeing the band perform, and this set stood out as one where they were truly on top of their game.
The crowd was mesmerized throughout and the pit was perpetual, with fans singing and screaming along to every word. When the band launched into “The Silent Life,” the room went ballistic. The hypnotic sounds of saxophonist Patrick Corona brought the pit to a temporary standstill, offering a collective, meditative breather for the crowd before they exploded back into primal thrashing.
Rivers of Nihil’s set, which featured tracks from the band’s three most recent albums, was fantastic front to back. “Clean,” from their 2021 release The Work, was a personal highlight that brought me out of moshing retirement, albeit briefly. I just couldn’t resist jumping into the chaos.
The tour continues steadily through the middle of next month with dates throughout the US and Canada:
09/17 HAMDEN, CT at Space Ballroom
09/18 ROCHESTER, NY at The Montage Music Hall
09/19 CLEVELAND, OH at Jacobs Pavilion
09/20 LOUISVILLE, KY at Louder Than Life 2026
09/21 EAST MOLINE, IL at The Rust Belt
09/23 DENVER, CO at Fillmore Auditorium
09/24 SALT LAKE CITY, UT at The Union Event Center
09/25 BONNER, MT at KettleHouse Amphitheater
09/27 AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA at Spokane Live
09/28 PORTLAND, OR at Roseland Theater
09/29 SEATTLE, WA at Neptune Theatre
10/01 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA at SLO Brew Rock
10/02 SACRAMENTO, CA at Aftershock 2026
10/04 BEND, OR at Volcanic Theatre Pub
10/06 VANCOUVER, Canada at Rickshaw Theatre
10/07 KELOWNA, Canada at Revelry Food+Music Hub
10/08 CALGARY, Canada at The Palace Theatre
10/10 BOISE, ID at The Shredder
10/11 RENO, NV at Cargo Concert Hall
10/12 FELTON, CA at Felton Music Hall
10/13 SAN DIEGO, CA at House of Blues San Diego
10/14 LAS VEGAS, NV at AREA15
Be sure to check out Rivers of Nihil’s website for more info and ticket links.
