Label: Inside Out Music
Release date: 24.09.2007
Production: Riverside
Album length: 55.51 min
Genre: Progressive Rock / Progressive Metal
Poland’s champions of progressive rock and metal are back after four years with a new album, Rapid Eye Movement, which wraps up the Reality Dream trilogy they kicked off with their debut record, Out of Myself (2003). That one made their name, earning them countless “best debut” and “best newcomer” titles. And it didn’t stop at titles, either: Riverside are now putting out their second record on a giant label, the biggest label in progressive metal and rock, Inside Out Music.
Riverside are one of the most hyped names on the current prog scene, and rightly so, because this is a band you simply can’t overlook. Their dark, sensual, atmospheric side gets compared to the likes of Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree, while their heavier, metal side can shamelessly be counted alongside prog giants like Dream Theater and Opeth. But these guys blend the progressive rock of the 70s and 80s with the modern sound of progressive metal so well that they come out completely unique and authentic.
Rapid Eye Movement is split into two parts, Fearless and Fearland, which together offer almost an hour of ethereal music that carries you off to other worlds. Musically, the record isn’t hugely different from its predecessors. This time the emphasis might be more on atmospheric, calm passages than on melody, but there’s definitely still growth in the songwriting and an overall step forward. It’s worth singling out the vocals of Mariusz Duda, who has an incredibly natural, warm tone that, to me personally, at times recalls Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and the clean vocals of Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth). The three are also close when it comes to fantastic, emotional delivery of the lyrics. This time Duda treats himself to a whole range of singing styles, from gentle vocals and furious outbursts all the way to almost choral singing. The sum of it all only adds to the album’s dark atmosphere, which gives you goosebumps. It goes without saying that Riverside are instrumental geniuses, but let’s stop for a moment on that anyway. On top of the vocals, Duda also handles the bass guitar, and he does it with distinction. The bass lines are downright brilliant, and the bass production is so good that it melts into the music as one. The guitar blends insanely well with the rhythm section, so the whole thing occasionally comes off almost like a jam session, while Lapaj’s keyboards add an extra touch. They’re a great support to the vocals and create an incredible atmosphere, from gloomy to beautifully mystical.
The album kicks off right away with a masterful composition, Beyond the Eyelids, which opens with a mysterious electronic vibe and Duda’s incredible “chants”. A wild bass groove soon joins in, followed by a guitar that leads into a real prog treat with some sawing riffs that slightly recall Dream Theater. The shortest track on the album, Rainbow Box, was heavily influenced by Porcupine Tree and is built around a main heavy riff, generously helped along by excellent bass and drums. 02 Panic Room is one of the more experimental songs on the album, leaning heavily on keyboard atmosphere and plenty of samples, which thankfully aren’t distracting. With whispers and a melancholic voice, Duda builds a chilling atmosphere, which the final part of the track wraps up with a cold guitar and piano tone, over which a deathly eerie vocal hovers. Schizophrenic Prayer plunges us even deeper into despair, as the sorrowful vocals and acoustic guitar with oriental motifs build an incredible ambience. One of the album’s best moments is the eight-minute Parasomnia, which features the real Riverside “trademark” sound, a mighty central bass line and fantastic harmonies, ushered in by an intro with only Duda’s mystical vocal, who is right now without a doubt one of the best lyric interpreters in prog. Through the Other Side and Embryonic carry on in a similar vein to Schizophrenic Prayer, built mostly around acoustic guitar patterns that at times recall Opeth’s superb Damnation (Through the Other Side strongly reminds me of Windowpane), and both build up extremely slowly, yet effectively and powerfully. Cybernatic Pillow is built brilliantly on staccato riffs and, again, outstanding bass that blows your mind. The album closes with the epic thirteen-minute masterpiece Ultimate Trip, ruled by an opening jam with brilliant “lead” parts from guitarist Piotr Grudzinski and keyboardist Michal Lapaj, followed by a more aggressive vocal performance this time around.
The production on the album is indescribable, probably even the best they’ve had so far. With Rapid Eye Movement, Riverside have only cemented their status, and with it they’ve also closed out the trilogy. It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds. Judging by what we’ve heard, the future is bright.
author: Rok Klemše
rating: 9.0 / 10
Tracklist:
1. Beyond The Eyelids (07:56)
2. Rainbow Box (03:37)
3. 02 Panic Room (05:29)
4. Schizophrenic Prayer (04:21)
5. Parasomnia (08:10)
6. Through The Other Side (04:06)
7. Embryonic (04:10)
8. Cybernetic Pillow (04:46)
9. Ultimate Trip (13:13)
Lineup:
Mariusz Duda – bass, vocals
Piotr Grudziñski – guitar
Piotr Kozieradzki – drums
Michal Lapaj – keyboards
