Rivers of Nihil Family Tree

September 28, 2021 by Joe Cearlock in Family Tree

Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Rivers of Nihil are a technical/progressive death metal band. Their line has been pretty consistent so far with only positions changing frequently being the drums and otherwise only having one guitar player change. Since the beginning the core has been, Vocalist Jake Dieffenbach, guitarist Brody Uttley and bassist Adam Biggs. Guitarist Jon Kunz was the original second guitarist until Jon Topore in 2014. Ron Nelson was the original drummer, replaced by Alan Balamut in 2014, who was replaced by Dylan Potts who was replaced with current Jared Klein. All members share writing credits except Dylan who didn’t not appear on an album. Brody has stated the he writes the majority of music, but there is collaboration to reach the final product.

John Coltrane

Miles Davis

David Bowie was an influential art rocker. Brody named him as an influence.

The Moody Blues are a progressive / psychedelic / symphonic rock band. Brody named them as an influence.

Frank Zappa was a influential, experimental and progressive rock leader. Brody named him as an influence.

Pink Floyd are one of the most well known progressive rock bands. Brody and Adam name them as an influence. Brody has named them as probably his favorite band.

Jethro Tull are a progressive rock band known for their front man’s flute playing. Brody named them as an influence.

King Crimson are an influential progressive rock band. Brody named them as an influence. Adam named them as his favorite band.

Yes are another influential progressive rock band. Brody and Adam named them as an influence.

Genesis are another influential progressive rock band although they explored new wave and a poppy sound later, Brody named early Genesis as an influence.

Led Zeppelin are one of the most influential bands. Brody said they were a band he grew up listening to.

Gentle Giant, again another progressive rock band named as an influence by Brody.

Rush are an influential progressive hard rock band. Adam named them as an influence.

Steve Vai are considered one of the great guitar virtuosos. Brody named him as an influence when it comes to lead playing.

Swans are an experimental rock band. Brody named them as an influence.

My Bloody Valentine are shoegaze pioneers. Kunz is a fan.

Death are considered by many, fathers of death metal, and for sure are responsible for taking death metal in a progressive/technical direction. Kunz named them as an influence.

Paul Gilbert

Neurosis started as a hardcore band and later turned into a post-metal, sludge, and industrial band. Kunz said he’s a fan.

Boards of Canada are an electronic duo. Bordy named them as an influence.

Soundgarden are pioneers of grunge. Jared said they were an influence on the band.

Cynic are a Progressive notably sharing mebers Sean Reinert and Paul Masvidal with Death at one time. Brody named them as an influence.

Nine Inch Nails are a popular industrial rock band. Brody named them as an influence.

Dream Theater are one of the biggest names in progressive metal. Brody named John Petrucci as an influence on his leads.

Cannibal Corpse are one of the best known Death metal bands. Adam named The Bleeding as a favorite album and CC as one of his biggest influences. — Cannibal Corpse are one of the best known Death metal bands. Adam named *The Bleeding* as a favorite album and CC as one of his biggest influences.

Suffocation are pioneers of brutal death metal. Alan named Mike Smith as an influence.

Slowdive are a dream pop / shoegaze band. Brody named them as an influence.

Aphex Twins are an electronic band. Brody named them as an influence.

Steven Wilson

Necrophagist are an influential technical death band. Adan said they are fans.

Marilyn Manson was the industrial staple music for goth kids in the late 90’s. Adam named Antichrist Superstar as a favorite album. — Marilyn Manson was the industrial staple music for goth kids in the late 90’s. Adam named *Antichrist Superstar* as a favorite album.

Nile are Egyptian themed brutal/technical death metal. Alan named George Kollias and Derek Roddy as an influence.

Behemoth are black/death juggernauts. Adam said they were an influence on them early on. Alan named Inferno as an influence.

Mogwai are a post rock band. Brody named them as an influence.

Cattle Decapitation are a death/grind and later became more technical. Adam named them as an early influence on them.

Sigur Rós are a Icelandic post rock band. Brody and Kunz named them as an influence.

Origin are a technical death band. Adam named them as an early influence on them.

Lamb of God are groove metal masters. Brody said As the Palaces Burn really got him into playing heavy. Topore also named them as an influence. — Lamb of God are groove metal masters. Brody said *As the Palaces Burn* really got him into playing heavy. Topore also named them as an influence.

Spawn of Possession are a technical death metal band. Adam said they are fans.

Explosions in the Sky are a post rock / instrumental rock band. Brody and Kunz named them as an influence.

Gojira are a progressive band with roots in death and groove metal. Adam said they are a band they have looked to for song writing influences.

Mastodon are a progressive band with earlier roots in sludge. Adam named them as a band they looked to for song writing influences.

The Black Dahlia Murder are a popular modern death metal band. Topore named them as an influence.

Russian Circles are a post rock/metal band. Brody named them as an influence.

Caspian an instrumental post rock band. Brody named them as an influence.

Beneath the Massacre are a technical death / deathcore band. Topore named them as an influence.

This Will Destroy You are a post rock band. Brody named them as an influence.

The Faceless are a technical death metal band. Brody named them as an influence particularly their album Planetary Duality. — The Faceless are a technical death metal band. Brody named them as an influence particularly their album *Planetary Duality.*

Soreption are a Swedish technical death band. Topore named them as an influence.

Brody said they all grew up with their dad’s listening to a lot of their progressive rock influences. He said after a long day of heavy metal they will listen to more relaxed stuff like Muse or Radiohead and said they were not against something like Coldplay or post-rock bands (which some the latter are noted above). He said in middle school he was big in to 80’s hair bands like Motley Crue, Ratt, Cinderella, Guns ‘n’ Roses, and Quite Riot.

Adam, when asked about song writing influences he said “maybe even Slipknot". If I see something more concrete I will add them above. Adam said he is more influenced by progressive rock than any metal band. He named his dad as a big influence and tells a story about him being forced to listen to Dark Side of the Moon, and it changed his life. He has talked about listening to rap and Faith No More.

I’m unsure who Jake’s influences are.

I’m unsure of Ron’s influences.

Jared said the band his influenced by Pink Floyd and King Crimson, but I’m not sure if those personal influences or his or just big influences on the band as a whole.

More Family Trees

Sources:

http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/musicians/brody-uttley-rivers-of_2.htm
https://metalnation.com/rivers-of-nihil-interview-brody-uttley-talks-writing-concepts-and-where-owls-know-my-name/
https://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2014/07/08/brody-uttley-of-rivers-of-nihil-the-heavy-blog-is-heavy-interview/
https://metalinjection.net/interviews/rivers-of-nihil-modern-tech-death
https://exclaim.ca/music/article/rivers_of_nihil_the_death_metal_saxophone_act_you_didnt_know_you_wanted_are_coming_to_canada
https://fouroverfour.jukely.com/artist/rivers-of-nihil-interview/
https://www.antiheromagazine.com/interview-brody-uttley-of-rivers-of-nihil/
https://www.rockfantasy.com/wp/?p=3605
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyW3ku3GYvE
https://thethankslist.com/adam-biggs-rivers-of-nihil/
https://firstorderhistorians.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/5-questions-with-adam-biggs-from-rivers-of-nihil/#more-12172
https://www.metal-rules.com/2013/11/28/rivers-of-nihil-interview/
http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=105103
https://wonderboxmetal.com/2018/03/21/interview-with-rivers-of-nihil/
https://www.invisibleoranges.com/progspot-2-rivers-of-nihil/
https://sickdrummermagazine.com/the-drummers/future-sicko/alan-balamut/
https://thisisreno.com/2019/03/rivers-of-nihil-local-band-plays-slam-and-death-metal/

Pestilence Family Tree

July 02, 2021 by Joe Cearlock in Family Tree

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Support The Metal!

Pestilence started with a death/thrash sound. By their second album they were fully death metal. Their album Spheres brought in a jazz fusion and was a much more progressive death album. Since then they have been playing technical death metal. The heart of the band has been Patrick Mameli on guitar and vocals with the exception of the first two albums where he was only on guitar. Along side guitarist Patrick Uterwijk the two of them wrote the music with Mameli doing most. Bass/Vocalist Martin van Drunen and drummer Marco Foddis wrote lyrics while in the band. Bassits Tony Choy and Jeroen Paul Thesseling each wrote an instrumental on Testimony of the Ancients and Spheres, respectively. Patrick Mameli has written everything since Resurrection Macabre. This list will only focus on Patrick Mameli’s influences. I was unable to find any for Uterwijk.

Chick Corea

Allan Holdsworth

Steve Coleman

Venom are the spiritual fathers of black metal and influenced the beginnings of extreme metal. Patrick said they were listening to them a lot in the early days.

Dave Weckl

Slayer are the most aggressive styled band out of the thrash big four. Patrick said they were an early influence.

Death are often recognized as the fathers of death metal. Patrick named them as an influence and also mentions having old Mantas tapes being a big influence.

Possessed are now seen more as death/thrash, but at the time they were the among the most extreme bands and are often considered fathers of death metal. Patrick is a big fan.

Kreator are one of the big bands of German thrash metal. Patrick named them as an influence for their first album.

Scott Henderson

Sepulture has shaped many genres with early stuff being some of the earliest death metal. Predominantly they were a death thrash band before drifting to more groove metal. Patrick said they were an influence for their first album.

Infernäl Mäjesty are a Canadian thrash band. Patrick named them as an influence.

Ripping Corpse was a death metal band with Erik Rutan on guitar. Patrick named their only album as a favorite.

Cannibal Corpse are one of the best known death metal bands. Patrick said they were an influence in their early career, but like many of their early influences they moved away from. (Note: Pestilence was releasing music before CC)

Wolfgang Muthspiel

Tha Dogg Pund

Tha Dogg Pound are a hip hop duo. Patrick named them when naming favorite albums.

WC is a west coast rapper. Patrick named his first album as one of his favorites.

Patrick says he doesn’t listen to metal anymore. Before discovering heavier music he was listening to bands like AC/DC and Kiss.

I have been unable to find influences or even interviews with Patrick Uterwijk, perhaps there just aren’t any English ones.

More Family Trees

Sources:

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/pestilences-patrick-mameli-im-not-influenced-by-anything-i-dont-listen-to-metal/
https://www.metal-rules.com/2018/06/30/pestilence-interview-with-patrick-mameli/
https://www.emptywords.org/InterviewPatrick.htm
http://www.metal-discovery.com/Interviews/pestilence_interview_2009_pt2.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3w9kUZSYY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1QG1FIvHHI
http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles.aspx?id=1-1094

Morbid Angel Family Tree

May 20, 2021 by Joe Cearlock in Family Tree

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Morbid Angel is one of the most prominent and influential death metal bands. Trey Azagthoth is the only original member and has been with the band since the beginning. The vast majority of music has been written by him. David Vincent was on vocals/bass for the first four albums and returned again later be part of their worsted received album. Between those albums and after his spot was filled by Steve Tucker. Both have contributed to writing to some extent. The second guitar position has been filled by several players starting with Richard Brunelle, then Erik Rutan, Destructhor, and Dan Vadim Von. Only Erik and Destructhor contributed to writing while in the band. Mike Browning was the original drummer, Pete Sandoval was with the band from the first album till 2010. The current drummer is Scott Fuller. Mike contributed at least once to lyrics, Pete was responsible for some of the instrumental keyboard stuff, and Scott co-wrote some songs on the Kingdoms Disdained. All members not mentioned were live or session musicians and did not contributed to any writing on albums. (possibly some early members may have contributed to early demos)

Franz Joseph Hayden was a classical composer, a mentor to Mozart and tutor to Beethoven. Pete named him as his biggest classical influence.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a classical prodigy. Pete named him as an influence.

Ludwig van Beethoven is probably the best known classical composer. Pete named him as an influence.

Jimi Hendrix was a revolutionary player. Trey named him as an influence.

Pink Floyd are one of the best known progressive rock bands. Trey has mentioned being a fan.

Alice Cooper is the original shock rocker. David named him as an influence.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal and doom. Trey, David, and Rick named them as an influence. Pete said he would listen to them after school as a kid.

UFO were a very influential hard rock band. Trey named them as an influence.

Scorpions are an influential hard rock and one of the earliest metal bands. Trey named them as an influence.

Judas Priest had a huge impact on the establishment of metal as a genre. Trey, David, Steve, and Erik named them as an influence.

Motorhead are hard rock / heavy metal legends. Steve named Lemmy as an influence. (Trey at one point said he’s not a big motorhead fan but had respect from them and said they was very professional and nice guys)

Van Halen had a huge impact when they emerged. Trey named Eddie as an influence and the first four albums as his favorites.

Iron Maiden are one of the most influential metal bands. David and Erik named them as an influence. Pete named Killers as an influence. Steve said Iron Maiden was the band that really got him into metal. — Iron Maiden are one of the most influential metal bands. David and Erik named them as an influence. Pete named *Killers* as an influence. Steve said Iron Maiden was the band that really got him into metal.

Venom were a huge influence for extreme metal genres starting. Trey named them as an influence.

Ozzy’s solo career after Black Sabbath has been hugely influential. Trey and Erik named Ozzy as an influence.

Mercyful Fate took traditional metal into a very technical direction with tons of riffs and changes in their songs. Trey named them as an influence.

Metallica are the fathers of thrash. Trey and Erik named them as an influence. Pete named the first album as an influence. Steve named James as one of his biggest influences and named Master of Puppets as his favorite all time album. — Metallica are the fathers of thrash. Trey and Erik named them as an influence. Pete named the first album as an influence. Steve named James as one of his biggest influences and named *Master of Puppets* as his favorite all time album.

W.A.S.P. are a hard rock / heavy metal band often associated with the glam bands. Steve named Blackie Lawless as a big influence.

Slayer were the most aggressive of the early thrash bands. Trey, Steve, and Erik named them as an influence. Pete named Dave Lambardo as an influence.

Ronnie James Dio is among the most legendary metal signers. Steve named him as an influence.

Terrorizer is a grindcore / death metal band and the first band of Pete. Trey was influenced by their demos and that is why he wanted Pete in the band. Morbid Angle’s first demos predate Terrorizer’s

Carcass started as a grindcore band, moved to a more death metal sound, and were melodic death pioneers. Trey named them as an influence. He named Symphonies of Sickness specifically which came out after Alters of Madness. Interestingly Jeff of Carcass said Morbid Angel influenced their first album which came out before Alters. Morbid Angle’s first demos predate Carcass’s — Carcass started as a grindcore band, moved to a more death metal sound, and were melodic death pioneers. Trey named them as an influence. He named *Symphonies of Sickness* specifically which came out after Alters of Madness. Interestingly Jeff of Carcass said Morbid Angel influenced their first album which came out before Alters. Morbid Angle’s first demos predate Carcass’s

In more recent years Trey said he is a big fan of The Gathering.

As a kid David sung in the church choir, he took piano lessons when he was six and he played stand up bass in the school orchestra. Growing up his mom played a lot of Kingston Trio and The Beatles. He said he sung along and memorized stuff from the Kingston Trio as a kid. Kiss is often cited as one of his influences but I haven’t found him say this although he has talked about them in other contexts. He said he got into some blues and R&B through watching the Blues Brothers. Before playing he says he liked punk and hardcore bands like Misfits, Black Flag, Minor Threat, and Iron Cross. He said he was also liked some funk bands such as Ohio Players.

Steve Tucker replaced David for three albums before his return, but once again replaced him and is the current bassist/vocalist. When asked about favorite death metal albums he named De Profundis by Vader as his all time favorite. He also names Retribution by Malevolent Creation, the first three Immolation albums, Deicides first album, and anything Cannibal Corpse. He names Unleashed, Malevolent Creation, Morbid Angel, and Cannibal Corpse as favorite bands along side Destruction, Slayer and The Cure. He says his biggest influences are thrash and early death metal bands.

Richard Brunelle was the guitarist along side Trey on the first two albums. He has no writing credits and I’m unsure of his influences.

Erik said he loves classic death metal and named albums from Morbid Angel, Deicide, and Suffocation as favorites.

Pete played and wrote the keyboard instrumentals on Heretic and some on Formulas Fata to the Flesh. He is not credited for writing anywhere else. Besides noted above he metions listingin to AC/DC and Black Sabbath after school. He said all his influences were “speed metal” and specifically named Slayer and Metallica as his biggest influences that got him into playing thrash playing. He also mentions Exodus, Exciter, Dark Angel, Possessed, Bathory, Destruction, Kreator, Sodom, and Hellhammer.

Mike Browning was the original drummer and appeared on their early demos. Early on he was listening to bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Pink Floyd. He got really hooked on metal after hearing Angel Witch and Mercyful Fate. He named his influences as Black Sabbath, Slayer, Angel Witch, Mercyful Fate, Celtic Frost, and stuff like that.

Drummer Scott Fuller co-wrote three songs with David on Kingdoms of Disdain. I’m unsure of his influences.

Guitarist Destructhor wrote two songs on Illud Divinum Insanus. I’m unsure of his influences.

Bands influenced by Morbid Angel!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

One of the biggest of new wave thrash

Sources:

http://www.enslain.net/interviews/morbidangel.html#:~:text=Trey%20%E2%80%93%20My%20influences%20were%20like,out%20of%20the%20guitar%20playing.
http://angemorbide.free.fr/interview13.html
https://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/MorbidAngel-Sept2003.htm
https://crypticrock.com/interview-david-vincent-of-morbid-angel/
https://tonefreqs.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/artist-feature-friday-david-vincent/
http://mhf-mag.com/news/interview-with-erik-rutan-of-hate-eternal/
https://distortedsoundmag.com/interview-erik-rutan-hate-eternal/
https://metaladdicts.com/interview-with-pete-sandoval-terrorizer/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5-VOU_PY_8
https://web.archive.org/web/20170206184422/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Interviews/MIKE-BROWNING--6977.html
https://capitalchaostv.com/2018/04/19/morbid-angels-steve-tucker-says-james-hetfield-is-the-epitome-of-a-frontman/
https://allabouttherock.co.uk/steve-tucker-morbid-angel-warfather-interview/
http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=29195
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOZNDkWu6wQ&t=97s
https://www.angelfire.com/ar/lachish/morbidangel.html
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/david-vincent-i-started-on-upright-bass-when-i-was-nine-it-was-a-beast-to-get-on-and-off-the-school-bus