OUT OF MYSELF

RIVERSIDE music is a blend of space, psychedelic and symphonic with some influence of progressive metal. Band-wise it's a sort of influences from PINK FLOYD, PORCUPINE TREE, OZRIC TENTACLES, MARILLION (early) and DREAM THEATER / PAIN OF SLAVATION. Quite a lot of influences, composed in an excellent harmony with catchy melody in many segments. Vast majority of the music style is symphonic in the vein of space psychedelic music (50%) with some neo prog (35%) and progressive metal (15%). This is an excellent debut album.

"The Same River" starts off with an ambient intro dominated by electric guitar work in the vein of Gilmour backed with symphonic keys and soft bass line at the background. It reminds me to the beginning part of "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" of Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" album. Superb opening! The music then flows naturally with drum stools come into way in a soft entry and brings the music into "beats". The keyboard sound is still maintained at the background to deliver the nuance. It reminds me to Ozric Tentacles' music. The guitar riffs then come in the music followed by stunning solo guitar in the vein of neo prog music. Oh boy . this is really COOOOOL ..!!!! The first half is purely instrumental. The vocal line is also nice. Excellent track!

"Out Of Myself" kicks off with dynamic bass line followed with voice and soaring keyboard in space style (reminds me to AYREON). The music turns slowly to faster tempo but still maintaining the space and psychedelic nuance.

"I Believe" starts with voices in the crowd followed by powerful vocal. The acoustic guitar brings the music in a rather ballad style at the opening and moves to a continuous music. It ends up with an acoustic guitar fills. With some quiter transition the music turns to a kind of prog met style with heavier guitar riffs and faster tempo, accompanied by dazzling bass and symphonic keys as part of next track "Reality Dream I". The influence of Ozric music is obvious. Electric guitar solo is backed with excellent percussion sounds at background.

The music flows to 5th track "Loose Heart" which is in medium tempo neo prog style with nice electric guitar (performed softly). It continues with short solo drum to start with next track "Reality Dream II" through soft guitar solo. At some transitions the guitar turns to heavier style with some riffs to accentuate the transition. If you know Dutch band FLAMBOROUGH HEAD, this part reminds me to the band. Some guitar solo is FLOYDian. Excellent track. Superb.

"In Two Minds" is a song heavily influenced by PORCUPINE TREE. Even if this song is played without knowing who the band is I would say this is PT! At the opening, the voice line is very similar with Steve Wilson. The song has great acoustic guitar rhythm and soft electric guitar solo. Another excellent track.

The intro of "The Curtain Falls" reminds me to ARENA "Immortal?" album. It is then followed with a catchy Floydian guitar. Really cool! This is a psychedelic song with sort of Steve Wilson singing style. The album is concluded with "OK" - a song performed mellow with clear voice of its singer.

Well, I admire the band despite the fact that it's their debut album. It's really an excellent album: beautifully composed and excellently performed. I tend to give FIVE star rating but I believe that this is too naïve as it's really new. So, overall I give a 4.5 / 5 rating with a potential upgrade (later, by passage of time) to a full five star rating. Highly recommended. GW, Indonesia.