Nihil

Nihil formed as a trio featuring Scott Crowley handling vocals and programming, Vanessa Urso on keyboards, and Tony Richey on bass, with a sonic approach reminiscent of groups such as the Electric Hellfire Club, Godflesh, Cubanate, and additional electro-rock acts encountered on tour. Crowley established the project single-handedly during 1994 in Phoenix, AZ, his city of origin. Once the lineup was complete, the members connected with producer Neil Kernon—previously active alongside David Bowie, Queensryche, and labelmates the Clay People—who quickly placed the act on his Auslander imprint, a division of Slipdisc/Mercury. Prior to the major-label rollout, the group collected honors that included the New Times Music Awards title of Best Industrial Band for both 1997 and 1998, plus further distinctions. The band’s first full-length album, Drown, appeared at last in the opening months of 1998.