Of all the raw black metal bands that emerged in America in the early-2010s, few were quite as intriguing as Rhinocervs. An important thing that must be noted beforehand is that this wasn't really a single band so much as it was multiple bands using the same name. It was also the name of a record label that was owned by the band members.
Speaking of which, Rhinocervs was formed in 2010 by Devon Yagian-Boutelle of Odz Manouk and Austin Omar Delgadillo of Tukaaria. Both are amazing bands, but through their combined creative talents, they conjured forth unique and compelling music.
RH-01
None of the band's releases have titles. They are instead distinguished by catalog number. Logically, RH-01, put out in 2010, is the first.
The production has a balanced mix of cloudiness and clarity. It's so clear that I can hear the bass, which puts on a fantastic performance, especially on the last track. The drums are amazing. As is to be expected of most black metal bands, they play blast beats, but I was much more impressed by the many mid-paced rhythms, all of which feature strong cymbal work and an impactful snare sound. The overall performance reminds me of Vlad Tepes.
The raspy shouts and screams have a strangled quality that make the music feel more sinister. The band then proceeds to make things more interesting by including low droning clean vocals on certain occasions. The guitars play a plethora of excellent tremolo riffs and somewhat punkish mid-paced chord progressions. These riffs express a wide range of emotions. Some are dark and haunting, while others are triumphant and possess profound melodies.
Both men involved in this band are extremely talented, so it's no surprise that this first demo would be fantastic. I love the instrumental work.
RH-02
The music here is mostly the same as it was on the first demo, but it still has a few surprises. The drums still play plenty of blast beats, but they also take the time to play creeping slow rhythms, as well as punkish mid-paced rhythms like those on the third track. The bass is still high in the mix and still plays great riffs, especially those on the last song. The vocals still consist of sinister raspy shouts and screams. The guitars are what truly intrigue me. They still play a large amount of tremolo riffs, but they are influenced by a different assortment of bands this time around. Those on the first track remind me of early Branikald, while those on the second remind me of early Emperor. They then make the music even more compelling by playing melodic leads. The band's first two demos were re-released in 2011 as part of a compilation called RH-08, so if you want to listen to them, then I recommend finding that particular release.
RH-07
The surreal cover art should make it clear that the music on here is a different beast entirely. The traditional raw black metal has been replaced by something more atmospheric, more astral.
The production on here is less harsh and more hazy, making the listener feel like they're floating through stellar gas clouds. Blast beats are still present, but for the most part the drums play slow, methodical rhythms with a reverberating snare sound and impressive ringing cymbals. The bass is still prominent in the mix, and as with the first two demos, it still plays amazing deep riffs that bolster the atmosphere.
They still perform great raspy vocals, but now there are certain moments like on the third track where they perform droning clean vocals that make the music enchanting, even moreso than they were on RH-01. Not only do the vocals exhibit more variety, but so do the guitars. Aside from the tremolo riffs, they also play slow and dreary doom-like chord progressions as well as simple yet intriguing melodic leads. Even the tremolo riffs are different, for they now create an atmosphere that reaches up into the vastness of space intead of into the dark corners of the Earth.
I am no stranger to metal bands taking unexpected turns, but this demo surprised even me. The music on here is a major departure from what they had done on their first two demos, but the risk was worth it, for the instrumental work was amazing and the atmosphere was enthralling.
RH-11
The cover art is a collage of illustrations pertaining to the works of Edgar Allan Poe. As such, the music on here is much darker than their previous release. The production, though still atmospheric, has become colder and more abrasive. Blast beats have become more plentiful. Slow and simple beats break these up on occasion, and there are also moments when they throw in rumbling double bass and even some nice fills. Those moments in particular remind me of bands like Xasthur. The raspy vocals have become ghostly thanks to the production quality. Once again the guitar work is incredible. The tremolo riffs have become more complex while still remaining intensely atmospheric. Their dark tone is an excellent reflection of those old morbid tales, and it makes the melodies all the more haunting. What an amazing demo this was.
RH-12
Less than a month after RH-11, the band put out yet another demo called RH-12. The cold production and sound are an excellent embodiment of the intriguing blue cover art. The music on here is more heavily inspired by depressive black metal, and as such, the drums eschew blast beats in favor of slow and simple rhythms that occasionally include rumbling double bass. The raspy vocals have taken on a hideous and ghastly strangled sound that reminds me of bands such as Leviathan. The bass still makes itself known with great riffs, especially near the end of the final track. The tremolo riffs have a tone as frigid as death. Their delivery is often morose and sometimes unsettling. Subtle melodies still abound, keeping the viewer captivated all the while. This has quickly become one of my favorite Rhinocervs releases. The instrumental work and atmosphere chill me to the bone.
RH-13
This demo, put out barely a month after the previous, features fast and frightening black metal that matches the dread and terror portrayed on the album cover. The drums have gone back to performing a deluge of minimalist blast beats. The strangled raspy vocals are brimming with rage. The many tremolo riffs have become just as infernal, for their structures are more complex and their delivery is ferocious. They even play a short solo on the seventh track. There is not much else to say other than that this demo was immensely enjoyable.
RH-14
RH-14, released in the last quarter of 2012, could best be described as RH-13 with extra death metal added to it. The loud thudding of the snare make the many blast beats feel more chaotic. Sometimes they'll draw back the tempo and play mid-paced rhythms stuffed with double bass that feels like the trembling of the Earth. The raspy vocals now sound more like a hateful growl. Aside from the vicious tremolo riffs, they also play imposing chord progressions, and all of these different riffs possess a tone and distortion that sounds similar to various atmospheric death metal bands that were emerging around that same time. All the while, the bass bolsters the rest of the music with its gruesome riffs. At just fourteen minutes long, this demo is quite brief, but the listening experience is quite intense.
RH-15
RH-15 is not a black metal demo at all. It's dark ambient. (Track 7 actually is black metal, but for the most part, this release is dark ambient.) The cover art should give you a clue as to what it sounds like. Synths, drones, cymbals, and other elements are used to conjure up a ritualistic experience, as if you were about to learn occult knowledge. Distorted guitars are used on occasion to give the music a more infernal quality. To be honest, the music on here isn't really my thing, but I still admire the craftsmanship. I quite enjoyed track 9 because of the sense of dread that the synths inspired.
RH-16
This was the last release from Rhinocervs before they split up, and what a release to go out on. The music is a nightmarish landscape of creeping shadows and twisting horrors. The almost constant blast beats sound like the engine of some infernal machine. Only on certain occasions are they broken up by fills. The raspy vocals now sound like the venomous voices of demons in the dark. The tremolo riffs have a harsh, baleful, almost dissonant quality to them. Their pitch rapidly rises and falls, creating a feeling of disorientation. Despite this, there are still moments of wondrous melody. Scattered throughout the runtime are dark ambient sections that further enhance the atmosphere. RH-07 and RH-12 are my favorite Rhinocervs releases, but RH-16, with its incredible instrumental work and unbridled emotional expression, left quite the impression on me.