"Rapid eye movement" CD by Riverside

by Björn Thorsten Jaschinski (07.10.2007) Poland is well known for the licensing of innovative U.S. Death Metal, heavy Gothic Metal and Thrashy pioneers, such as Kat and Turbo. With Riverside, there is a Progressive Rock band with Metal guitars who managed to establish in the last years serving as a link between the anti-commercial avant-garde of Pain Of Salvation ("Schizophrenic prayer") and the – already ended? – flirt with the masses of Porcupine Tree and Anathema ("Parasomnia"). Their trademarks? Harsh vocals thrown into the space and sounding warm and emotional at the right time. A composition-technique conserving the approved Prog patterns and soundscapes, like e.g. in the flickering keyboards without living in the past. The balance of technical perfection and liveliness. The third album since 2003 was named after the most active phase in sleeping – of course also known since 30 years from one of the most successful rock bands in America. "A perfect Dream" would be an adequate way to describe this album.