OUT OF MYSELF

This unexpected release in 2003 was a breath of fresh air to the prog-metal scene.if you would call it prog-metal. The sound is very heavy and soft at times, but long ethereal keyboards remain throughout the album as well as quirky time signatures with some very 'gilmourish' solo's. All of the band members have had prior band experience before this project that was very distant from the sound that was brought out by Riverside. The band consists of Mariusz Duda on bass and vocals, Piotr Grudzinski on guitars, Piotr Kozieradzski on drums and Michal Lepaj on keyboards.

Marjusz was just originally recruited as a bassist.not for his vocal abilities, which were later discovered. The point I am trying to clarify is that they didn't just wanted the singer to play an instrument.cause this man's bass skill are enough justification for his inclusion. He is also just as good as a vocalist. His clean vocals are extremely similar to those in Anathema.a band that shares some of the flavor and has some grunty outbursts that aren't bad, but don't let it drive you away as there are very few moments of those. As a guitarist.right after I heard this album I immediately labeled Grudzinski as an influence. The man is not over the top with his solos at all. They are extremely spacey like the keyboard.he extends the notes for long durations with a lot of sustain and has an extreme sense of pitch. The beauty of his style is that he makes every single note count. He is the kind of guitar player where it is very hard to tell what direction he is going to take.very good player.

Musically speaking, this is an amazing album. The only flaw that has lowered my rating is that this band made it big with this release because of their new sound, yet they overused it just a little too much. The listener almost gets a sense that they might say 'haven't they played this already'. Other then the played out sound, this album is just about perfect. There are two acoustic ballad songs that are absolutely breathtaking, being 'I Believe' and 'In Two Minds'. There are also two instrumentals brought out in a series called 'Reality Dream'. This disc contains I and II, which are great jam tracks, certainly showing how tight this band is.

The opening track, 'The Same River' is a great introduction to the sound of Riverside. It is pretty lengthy, at 12 minutes and the opening at very atmospheric/psychedelic like Floyd. It really sums up what we are for as far as vocals, timing and guitar work goes. 'Out of Myself' is quite the angry one, as the guitar and drum dynamics are very hard and rampant with the vocals can only enhance the effect. 'Loose Heart' is probably my favorite track off the album. It is a much better version of 'The Same River' except much shorter and catchier verses and chorus. The end of the album was the part that held me back from 5 stars. 'The Curtain Falls' is more of the same from what we have already heard, but that track is certainly not worthy of the word 'bad' or 'lacking' but on the other hand, the track could be considered those two words is 'Ok'. This song is pretty bad by any prog standards. Especially since it is the last track, I feel kind of empty when the album is over. At least 7 of the tracks were stellar though.

This is recommended to just about any fan of prog. Do not be afraid to check it out because of the prog-metal label.it is far from the other contemporary acts. For any fans of Anathema, Pink Floyd, Pain of Salvation, Opeth, and Dream Theater, you shall not be disappointed. This is brilliant music.

sources: www.riverside.art.pl

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