Riverside
Anno Domini High Definition

This 2009 did not offer many releases, but they were truly interesting! Among these, one cannot certainly exclude the fourth effort by the Polish band Riverside.

"Anno Domini High Definition" sounds very different from its three predecessors but still maintains great quality! We were used to appreciating them for their refined and atmospheric sound, but at the same time suffering and dark made of delicate keyboard backgrounds and elegant guitar touches alternated with heavier moments. Here, the change is radical, yet they don't sell out to anyone! The sounds, previously oscillating between prog-rock and prog-metal, become more distinctly prog-metal, the technical quotient increases significantly as well as the experimentation with time signatures reaching the level of the more renowned names and the weight of electronics and sonic experimentation also increases significantly. However, the band's personality and creativity are absolutely not abandoned. Sure, the album is more easily accessible to classic prog-metallers, but comparing them with other bands remains quite misplaced. Riverside continues to be Riverside and nothing else! And it’s all truly astonishing!!! Including more standard elements in their music while remaining themselves is not something everyone can do! It required the talent of a band like theirs for this to happen!

The album is shorter than the previous ones, but this does not penalize listeners at all! There are only 5 tracks, all more or less focused on medium-long duration, except the first one which just exceeds 5 minutes; 44 minutes in total, fewer compared to before, but all of remarkable intensity.

The album starts in a lightning and bubbly manner with "Hyperactive", opening slowly with a delightful piano and then... chaos! Searing rhythms like never before, fast and direct guitar riffs, relentless drumming and some electronic inserts plus a very decisive bass line, all without a moment's pause, compelling! "Driven To Destruction" is also definitely engaging but more elaborate. The bass intro is nice, followed by sharp guitar riffs perfectly accompanied by heavily distorted electronic keyboards, alternating with piano sequences and old-style atmospheric breaks! And what about "Egoist Hedonist", almost 9 minutes of dynamics and experimentation, making it perhaps the strangest track Riverside has ever created! It begins rather atmospherically with nice keyboard undertones and slight guitar touches, but when it charges, it hits the mark alternating energy and melody with great class and incorporating very unusual solutions, capable of surprising the listener like electronic sounds in an almost trance and house key and even brass inserts (trumpet, trombone, and sax)! After the atmospheric break that could easily belong in a dance track, new beautiful keyboard sounds and guitar-keyboard passages close the track with dignity! "Left Out" sounds rather sad; the energy of the other tracks is lost, Opeth influences emerge especially in the more delicate guitar passages, yet the track remains dynamic and sophisticated and on par with the best of Riverside. The energy is recovered with "Hybrid Times" where, after a delicate intro, guitar and drum runs alternate, supported by a decidedly angry vocal without relinquishing keyboard solos and softer parts.

Riverside has not missed the mark this time either. I hope they are always able to repeat themselves and innovate at the same time. I also hope for a decade rich in good prog and a prosperity of ideas!