SECOND LIFE SYNDROME

After "Out of Myself", Riverside's surprising introduction where they showed a solvency and instrumental aplomb uncommon for a band that was just taking its first steps, the time had come to ratify that it had not been the fruit of a fleeting inspiration. "Second Life Syndrome", their second album and at the same time the second part of the three that make up their "Reality Dream" Trilogy (the story of a lonely man who fights with himself to overcome his inner demons and move forward), not only confirms the band's excellent form, but also consolidates them as one of the most auspicious appearances in the progressive scene of the 2000's. Led by Mariusz Duda, singer, bassist and main songwriter, Riverside brilliantly fuses elements and nuances of the hardest and darkest side of progressive rock (Dream Theater, Opeth, Tool, for example) with atmospheric digressions into the intergalactic oceans of the genre (Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree).

Nothing seems to be left to chance, from the whispering start of the hypnotic "After", the songs follow one after the other instrumentally intense and piercing, with Duda's deep voice very versatile and demanding, even reaching guttural notes without problems as in the energized "Volte-Face" or in the very heavy and fierce "Artificial Smile", Piotr Grudziński's protagonist guitars, clean and sustained and with clear floydian influences, as in the superb and extensive "Second Life Syndrome" and its initial airs to the Gilmourian "Shine on... "(one of the best pieces of the album), and also rough and forceful as in the super progressive "Dance with the Shadow", and the excellent accompaniment of both keyboardist Michal Lapaj (incorporated after the departure of Jacek Melnicki) who builds spacey synthesized carpets for all the themes and contributes some beautiful piano notes in the peaceful and harmonic "Im Conceiving You", and the sober percussionist Piotr Kozieradzki to complete the fantastic sound wall of an unmissable album.

Beyond its progressive metal label, "Second Lyfe Syndrome" is a top album of the progressive genre of the last two decades, and positions the Polish band as one of the must-listen references for fans of the genre.

Superlative.

4,5 stars