ANNO DOMINI HIGH DEFINITION

Riverside's latest offering is a modern classic. I wouldn't usually consider affixing this title to a progressive metal album, but I cannot help but concede here. ADHD is the most complete album I have heard since Close to the Edge.

From the piano intro that starts of Hyperdrive to the bombastic conclusion of Hybrid Times, this album does not let you out of its grasp. The songs become progressively more serious and also longer as the work progresses, working you over. The keyboard work is excellent, and the guitar and drums are sharp as a razor. You just don't hear this near-perfect blend of the instruments anymore, not since the days of Yes, though Dream Theater can come close at times as well. The dramatically shifting vocal styles bring additional diversity to the album. The deep raspy vocals punctuated by occasional growls and clean vocals please any metal fan or prog fan equally.

I'm not going to attempt to further justify this work with words; I strongly urge you to immediately get a hold of this album and immerse yourself in Riverside's delightfully diverse and often ingenious machinations.