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Shortly after their debut album Out Of Myself (2003)
I discovered Riverside their exciting sound, thanks to the
recommendation of my good friend ‘Kiwi’ Raymond who knew
my appreciation for bands like Pink Floyd and Porcupine
Tree. Since then I have bought all their albums (including
the EP’s and special editions) and I have seen Riverside
3 times on stage (including the great Symforce II Festival
gig) . On their latest album entitled Rapid Eye Movement
(2-CD version) I noticed a bit more accessible and less
dark sound, I was very curious or Riverside was going to
continue this small change of their musical direction. -
After a few listening sessions I notice that Riverside
sounds more heavy and bombastic than ever (just listen to
the thunderous Heavy Prog in Hyperactive) but don't be afraid
that you are stepping into the realm of the “Heavy Prog
Headbangers” and “Prog-Metal Die-hards” because Riverside
slow down at the right moments to give you some breath:
sensitive electric guitar and soaring keyboards in Egoist
Hedonist, fragile guitar and warm vocals and Floydian guitar
solo in Left Out and moving electric guitar solo in Hybrid
Times. But for me the most important element on this CD
is the extension of the work on the Hammond organ in the
Riverside sound. In the late Sixties and early Seventies
this keyboard turned out to be the perfect instrument to
duel with the heavy amplified guitar sound (think about
Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Atomic Rooster), on Anno Domini
High Definition it’s the Hammond organ (along spectacular
synthesizer flights in some songs) that matches perfectly
with the heavy guitar sound and powerhouse rhythm-section,
from psychedelic and hypnotizing to swirling and bombastic,
culminating in some mindblowing solos (Egoist Hedonist and
Left Out). So I am very pleased with this new Riverside
album, a strong effort with singer Mariusz Duda his best
vocal performance until now! -
The bonus DVD (recorded live in Amsterdam in 2008 during
the Rapid Eye Movement tour) contains 7 tracks, it’s interesting
to compare the sound of Riverside on this DVD (mainly REM
songs) with the new CD!
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