Artist: The River
Country: UK
Label: Cavernous Records
Formats: CD
Year: 2023
While The River may not be a typical band that fits easily within the musical scope of most of the other acts reviewed on our pages, it is actually eminently a band that does fit its intended concept. If there is one band that matches the idea of whispering darkness, it is The River from ever-dreary London.
In their nearly quarter-century of existence, the band has seen many faces, from the soul-heavy sounds on the debut album involving the monotonous and incantatory vocals of then-singer Vicky Walters to the current, more progressive sound. However, the common thread throughout The River’s career has been the ever heartbreaking and deeply rooted melancholy. With this latest album, ‘A Hollow Full Of Hope’, the band adds a new chapter to that musical journey that rolls on like a river, meandering ever wider and deeper through an increasingly more mature musical landscape. Although the days of the all pulverising riffs seem so far behind us that it merely feels like a vague memory, there is a similar atmosphere in the sense of loneliness and misery of ‘A Hollow Full Of Hope’. It is undoubtedly an album where the title makes the music fit like a glove, but where, in an almost inexplicable way, there is also the feeling of hope, like the tentative first rays of sun piercing through the cloud cover after a heavy summer rain.
For those still looking for riffs or Doom Metal elements, they will only find echoes of those on ‘A Hollow Of Hope’. The album is for the most part acoustic, with a song like ‘Exits’ or ‘A Vignette’ perhaps sounding most like The River from two decades ago. Instead of heavy guitar assault, the band has opted for more atmospheric passages and instrumentals. A comparison with Anathema cannot be entirely avoided, like these compatriots on albums like ‘We’re Here Because We’re Here’ (2010) and ‘Weather Systems’ (2012), The River has also taken a further progressive tack. But, however, clearly without completely jettisoning their dark roots. This is not only reflected in the slow lingering tempo or the emotional melodies, but vocalist Jenny Newton also seems to be increasingly finding her niche in the band. Her similarly subdued and somewhat monotone voice, though richer in colour than Vicky Walters’, is what gives the music that sacred, passionate layer of gloom.
Ever since hearing the debut album, ‘Drawing Down The Sun’ (2006), and 2007’s ‘Broken Window’ 10″ EP, I have been in love with The River. Vicky’s voice on those recordings are still able to move me intensely. The love went even deeper when I saw the band once in Rotterdam, when Vicky stole my heart forever. Still, there was a period when I lost sight of the band somewhat, but after listening to ‘A Hollow Full Of Hope’ I can’t really think of a justifiable reason for that. Although even by a huge stretch of the imagination, The River can no longer be called a Doom Metal band, but for those who dare to look further, they will unquestionably find similar beauty in this album. Indeed, The River is more akin to quality indie acts like Anathema, Soap&Skin, non-heavy Nick Cave, Cocteau Twins or This Mortal Coil than it is to Warning. On second thought, maybe it sounds exactly like a heart-felt mix between precisely those six bands. But, as always with art, it’s just what you hear in it, so rather judge it for yourself…
