Reviews list for Riverside - Anno Domini High Definition (2009)

Riverside is another band I was never really interested in, even after listening to a few songs. But I don't think I have to worry about that as much as not listening to Opeth, at least I don't have to worry in this website, because this band has been more progressive rock than metal in most albums with this album Anno Domini High Definition and the previous one Rapid Eye Movement being the only Riverside albums metal enough to be here. So all worries aside, let's get into this review!

Riverside has the amazing ability to create a wide music range from melodic progressive rock to dark heavy metal, similar to Opeth but without the extreme metal. I heard that after the progressive rock sound of their first two albums, they went to a different direction in their third album Rapid Eye Movement, having a darker atmosphere and heavier sound. The softer fans dislike it while the metalheads love it. This album is supposedly the first Riverside album outside the Reality Dream trilogy and entirely heavy. And yes, this is gonna be something different...

The opening track, "Hyperactive" can start a little confusing. After beginning with a calm atmospheric piano intro, the piano fades out into excellent heavy riffing, followed by great vocals, all in constant hyperactive movement. One of the best 6-minute songs in progressive metal! Beginning with addictive bass, "Driven to Destruction" drives you through heavy riffs and light piano, played together with melodic vocals. The second half of the song gets heavier with more prominent keyboards.

The most unusually experimental song of this song is 3-part 9-minute "Egoist Hedonist". The first part, "Different?" starts in calm slight melancholy before evolving into a heavy riff. The second part, "Hedonist Party" is the most original moment in the album, inviting a party-sound guitar and brass section for a more fun and relaxing time. Is that the true meaning of "Party Rock"? The third part "Straw Man Dance" shows that no party can be complete without a dance, inviting a harp and more guitar for something suitable for a belly-dance, leading to an epic impressive ending. However, "Left Out" is the only song here that needs to be left out, being melancholic and calm in a much different approach with a new vocal style. The technical melodic sections are in contrast with the atmosphere and lyrics. Still a good song but could be better.

Finally, the 12-minute epic, "Hybrid Times" makes sure that you've heard everything from the band and this album, unleashing some of the most intensity they've ever had. Beginning with thrilling piano, this song is original enough to leave out the overused verse-chorus structure, a similar strategy in the other songs. The band keeps moving forward with their technical skills, pushing them to their heaviest and most complex ever. The song is half-instrumental, but the vocals really show their more memorable, aggressive side ("OBSESSION!!!"). The theremin really adds to the complex sound. Then things start calming down with the best guitar solo here. Soon it rises to the climax, when theremin and blast-beats collide!! The 3-minute ending is softer but more impressive than anything the band has done before, with atmospheric electronic effects and chill-inducing vocals, and finally the album ends, with everything they had out of their system. One of the greatest progressive metal epics yet!

There's almost nothing bad about of this album, with the bad stuff being very little. The songwriting is flawless, causing the songs to be much different than each other with unusual structure. Their instrumental skills can be clearly heard, proving once again their incredible talents. The album style overall is much different than the band's earlier ones and almost every other progressive metal album there is. They've created nearly 45 minutes of progressive metal that keeps the listener in attention throughout without losing it, ending with one of the most impressive epics ever. To sum it up, Anno Domini High Definition is a great example of technical, complex, progressive metal. It's nearly completely flawless with no sign of ideas running low. You want original high definition progressive metal? This is for you.....

Favorites: "Hyperactive", "Egoist Hedonist", "Hybrid Times"