SINGLE REVIEW - A River Runs Thru It - "Fire & Brimstone"
A River Runs Thru It combine ambient post-hardcore and cinematic visuals with “Fire & Brimstone”
Written by JD Walker
When the words “fire and brimstone” come to mind, it’s usually associated with a hellish atmosphere - while the name would an apocalyptic vibe, A River Runs Thru It explore the cinematics of flame and a wide palate of sounds that branch beyond the expected with “Fire & Brimstone.”
A River Runs Thru It are an emo/post-hardcore band hailing from the land of big skies and wide prairies, Montana. Inspired by their Montanan heritage, their name is an homage to the movie “A River Runs Through It”, a true story set in Missoula. The band let their comradery speak through their compositional prowess and musical passion, supporting each other with music as their commonality and escape from life’s hardships.
The song begins with an eloquent crescendo of ambient delay and reverb before getting right down to business. Guitarists Joey Smith and Milan Garcia display amazing chemistry between each other, trading heavy and driving rifs with harmonic breaks and the occasional clean delay for transitions. They’re empowered by the pumping rhythms of bassist Cody Peterson and driven over the top by vocalist Michael Smith. Smith’s wide range of singing and screaming compliment the sonic landscape flawlessly, and the high production value of the single shows that A River Runs Thru It belongs on any stage they choose to pursue.
While the song is fantastic, the video is truly next level. Much of the video was illuminated only with a giant bonfire in the background, alluding to the hellish atmosphere normally associated with the phrase “fire and brimstone”. The cinematics of the video are truly professional quality and industry standard, and the juxtaposition of huge flame-lit shots with darker lantern-lit closeups create a cinematic experience to remember.
“Fire & Brimstone” is a top-notch single for a band that plays music for all the right reasons - passion, expression, and kinship. A River Runs Thru It show just what it means to be a post-hardcore band and it’s evident through the result of their collective efforts. It’ll be exciting to see where the winding road of the music industry transports these gentlemen, as this single is only the third addition of their catalogue and the precipice of a long and illustrious career.