ANNO DOMINI HIGH DEFINITION

Mature. That's what I think about this album. When Riverside first began with "Out of Myself" one couldn't help but to be enchanted by that album. Yet it was derivative from Floyd and PoS, among other influences. But now I feel that Riverside has truly progressed. Yes they're more metal than before, but that doesn't mean that they fell into "Dream Theater music syndrome" that many bands suffer. No, they incorpored all the influences they had into a wonderful blend of prog metal. It manages to be still different from the "prog giants"( Symphony X and Dream Theater) of the genre. Here, the keyboards take a much more lead role than ever before, we have gentle piano playing, deep purple like organ riffs, and nice synths that help to build atmosphere. My favorite song would have to be "Egoist Hedonist", which starts with a very "neo-prog" vein, with excellent vocal work, then it switches with a cool heavy riff, and some great jamming( not too much wankery like other bands would do). I also like very much the calm atmosphere from "Left Out", I sense some Floyd influence, but it is much less than before, and it's a wonderful song for sure. Even though I like very much the change Riverside had, I can't say for sure if this it's their best album. Second Life Syndrome still has that place in my mind. Anyway, this is a highly enjoyable album.