RIVER BLACK is an emotional reaction; an answer to the call of today's heavy music. It is a creative process that journeys to the heart and soul; purging all the good, the bad and the ugly along the way. RIVER BLACK includes four veterans of the metal (or heavy music?) scene in its ranks; guitarist John Adubato (ex BURNT BY THE SUN), vocalist Mike Olender (ex BURNT BY THE SUN/NORA/ENDEAVOR) - vocals, bassist Brett Bamberger (REVOCATION, PUBLICIST UK, ex EAST OF THE WALL) - bass, and Dave Witte (MUNICIPAL WASTE, PUBLICIST UK, ex BURNT BY THE SUN/DISCORDANCE AXIS/HUMAN REMAINS/etc, ) on drums. RIVER BLACK was formed by Adubato and Witte after the dissolution of BURNT BY THE SUN . The duo felt the need to keep the spirit and energy behind that going, pushing it a darker and heavier direction than anything in their collective past,and enlisted long-time friend Bamberger. After working through a few different line-ups, the trio brought Olender into the fold. Witte explains, "I've always had a strong connection with John and his riffs. Somehow, he's able to pull things out of me drumming-wise that no one else can. I found a rhythm partner and brother in Brett over the years, so those two together are the ultimate wing men for me so-to-speak. Adding Mike back into the fold was the puzzle piece that had been missing the whole time we've been working on this project." Bamberger sums is by saying "Listen closely for that NJ heartbeat." RIVER BLACK are completed the writing process for their as-yet-untitled debut album. They will begin recording at New Jersey’s Trax East studio (DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, HATEBREED, DEADGUY, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) with producer Eric Rachel for their Season of Mist debut in late 2016 Hulk Smash