SECOND LIFE SYNDROME

At about half a year ago I did an interview with this Polish progrock sensation and one of my burning questions was "What are your main influences?". Well, I expected some bands but their simple but striking answer was "our emotions"....an almost perfect description of this new album! I read the previous reviews and have to say that to me it sounds as an insult to call this new Riverside album a progmetal album because Riverside has so much more to offer. OK, the great vocals contain grunchy elements and the guitar riffs and runs have some metal overtones. But in general Riverside makes dynamic and alternating progressive rock with one key element: EMOTION, from the mellow and melancholical climates (wonderful vocals) to the compelling Gilmourian-drenched progrock atmospheres and exciting bombastic and harder-edged parts with those grunchy vocals and heavy guitarplay. The colouring of the compositions with the keyboards is amazing, so tasteful and varied, from tender piano and soaring strings to sumptuous organ floods and some spectacular synthesizer sounds

THIS BAND IS A SENSATION, WHAT A STUNNING ALBUM!!