SECOND LIFE SYNDROME

In the second studio album RIVERSIDE don't disappoint and truly stablish themselves in the progressive metal genre. Though not transforming radicaly, their sound went through a different direction. If they, in the first album, created a sort of hybrid of PINK FLOYD, PORCUPINE TREE and some DEATH METAL, in "Second Life Syndrome" they pushed a bit more the metal vein and joined some TOOL inspiration, so that the sound became darker and a bit heavier and quicker in some parts. That does not mean floydian style is not present in the album, by the contrary. RIVERSIDE continues their "PINK FLOYD metal sound", somewhay different from (almost all) the other "dream theater" progressive metal bands. The techique is used for the sake of feelings, and not used for the sake of techique by itself.

The album was well conceived, once more a concept album, very pleasant to listen, showing very inspired band members. The album starts beautifully in a melancolic mood with african chorus style "after". "Volte-face" then presents truly the main sound of the album, starting with some heavy catchy riffs, then progressing into an floydian atmospheric mood with catchy solo guitar before ending again in an heavier mood. "Conceiving You" and "I Turn You Down" are the mellower songs, combining the more tradicional rock-song format with metal-floydian guitar work. "Second Life Syndrome" may be the best of the album, adding some more inspired metal/ambiential transitions. "Artificial Smile" approaches to classic rock like "Shallow" does in PORCUPINE TREE's "Deadwing" but more complexed. The more metal of the badge may be "Dance With The Shadow", with heavy dark keyboards remembering PORCUPINE TREE's "Deadwing" in some parts, fused with some TOOL basslines. The album ends with the post-rock "Before".

Very inspired album in a particular sound RIVERSIDE created. The complex and catchy death metal guitar riffs and the nice and beautifull guitar solos combine to create a superb sound. The only rowback of the album, for me, is not having acoustic guitar.