Riverside
Second Life Syndrome

THE REVIEW

Entering the new millennium, the progressive metal scene continued to bestow upon us the masterpieces it had already gifted us in the '90s. However, the feeling among the genre's supporters was probably that of a genre that had become too stereotyped, with a strong notion that a stylistic renewal was necessary to restore the genre's allure and interest. Bringing this touch of freshness was a band hailing from Poland, a country relatively unknown musically to the general public, but which proved capable of producing talents that could rival those from more recognized countries. The band is Riverside, putting aside virtuosity, tight rhythms, and long instrumental sections to offer us a music richer in sentiment, more delicate, yet at the same time also darker.

Riverside debuted in 2004 with an album, "Out Of Myself," nothing short of splendid and steeped in dark atmospheres and cold sounds, effectively giving progressive a new face. And in 2005 they returned with an even more mature and sophisticated album destined to remain forever the band's absolute masterpiece, "Second Life Syndrome."

Once again, it's the atmospheres that take center stage, with the ever-present keyboards creating exquisite backgrounds capable of transporting the listener beyond the mists of what is unseen, unleashing their imagination. Yet, more space is given to the more metal component, which was scarcely present in the first album, offering the listener a stronger alternation between lighter and heavier tracks. Even the intertwining of melodies seems further improved, and the bond between the various sounds is, once again, impeccable!

If you love new things you've never heard before, I think this album should captivate you quite quickly. Of course, it takes a few listens to absorb it, but then you'll consider it an absolute masterpiece! Right from the first track, you'll realize this band is not just any prog-metal band but one that, despite including various influences (Opeth and Porcupine Tree above all), manages to have an extremely personal and distinctive sound. "After" is indeed a short keyboard piece characterized by a dark and suffocating atmosphere sung with warm and shadowy voices... here, you breathe a fresh air, seriously! Track no. 2 "Volte-face" offers direct and abrasive guitar riffs while maintaining a rather smooth rhythm, but everything here is also enveloped in a relaxed yet tense atmosphere, with keyboards alternating more delicate backgrounds with harsher, distorted highs. "Conceiving You" is a very delicate piece instead, nicely opened by the piano, capable of emotionally engaging the listener with great rationality. And thus, we arrive at the longest track of the album, the title track "Second Life Syndrome" which, in its 15 minutes, encapsulates everything Riverside can offer, from extremely relaxed moments made of delicate guitar passages, warm keyboard backgrounds, impeccable bass riffs but also heavier moments. With "Artificial Smile", we face a more direct and overtly metal track with growl inserts as evidence that this band knows how to be aggressive when necessary. "I Turned You Down" is another track with light and delicate tones characterized by relaxed bass touches and pleasant guitar passages, always supported by a good keyboard background. And could an instrumental track be missing? Of course not, and here we have the excellent "Reality Dream III" which continues the previous two instrumentals contained in the first album. Here, you breathe the air of more standard prog-metal with complex guitar and keyboard passages, but Riverside presents them without imitating, always using great personality. "Dance With The Shadows" is another long-duration track which, with its over 11 minutes, offers here too a wide variety of melody alternations: maintaining a fairly smooth rhythm, we witness always perfect keyboard backgrounds, heavier guitar passages, and some slightly more complex guitar and keyboard passages that the band doesn't fail to include, albeit doing so in the most necessary moments. And we close beautifully with "Before", a delicate and dark track that becomes heavier towards the end, well guided by bass and guitar, as always authors of impeccable interweavings of calm and serene melodies, always capable of giving the listener a breath of fresh air.

And thus closes an authentic masterpiece, which owes nothing to anyone, which is a debtor to none, but is instead the product of a group that makes personality its trademark! Undoubtedly the future of prog!