Riverside;
album number four, the title consists of four words and the album is exactly
44:44 minutes long. Coincidence, not a chance in Hell, everything
Riverside
does is thought through and planned into detail, and with 'Anno Domini High
Definition' they are expanding their sound and style even further without
evaporating their characteristic traits. They have just tweaked their style a
bit and are introducing more power, energy and ease to their complex and
significant sound.
This is flat out first class progressive metal from top to bottom! The
references of old times to Tool, Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater will still be
brought up, but I feel that they have distanced themselves even further from
these influences with this album, and reckon that the new vibes introduced on
this album come from early 70's and bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and
Rush nicely combined with a very modern and up-to-date sound. The album is a
reflection of our times: a society which continues to develop at breathtaking
speed, where materialism is God and people quickly lose focus on the important
things in life.
Riverside
has once more managed to outdo themselves, and 'Anno Domini High Definition' is
another temporary artistic zenith in their impressive musical career and a
perfect fusion of all the influences of the band; captivating melancholic and
complex music, heartfelt and emotional songs performed with technical
perfection.
The voice of bass player Mariusz Duda is emotion pure, guitarist Piotr
Grudzinski shreds away with some amazing lead and rhythm work, but the biggest
change comes in form of the warm and vintage sound of keyboard player Michal
Lapaj use of; classic piano, Hammond organ and his latest addition; a Theremin,
which can be heard on the last two songs on the album. Mariusz Duda proves that
not only does he have an amazing voice, he is also one Hell of a bass player,
and together with drummer Piotr Kozieradzki he forms one of the tightest and
ambitious rhythm sections the progressive metal scene has to offer.
This cornucopia of progressive masterpieces is in my opinion one of the best
releases this year, and it will surely help
Riverside
to establish themselves as one of Europe's premier progressive metal bands.
