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[ More Music Reviews ]

Riverside: ID.Entity

Melodic Progressive Rock

5.0/5.0

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InsideOut Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 17.01.2023 | Released: 20.01.2023

Bands like Riverside are one the reasons I still love progressive rock and, quite possibly, continue to write music reviews. The band from Warsaw is one of the most consistent bands in the prog genre as they head into their third decade of music. Consistently stretching the bounds of their talent and constantly creative, Riverside continues to intrigue and entertain. Their eighth studio album, the latest in five years, ID.Entity is continues this tradition.

Riverside

ID.Entity also has its own unique nuances. Lyrically, principal songwriter Mariusz Duda explores the essence of our being (and that of Riverside as band), roles, and relationships in our complex world of human hatred, division, and greed. These things expressed in everything from social media to political elections to a nation attacking another for no apparent reason. Emotionally, Riverside has endured the grief from the loss of their long time friend and guitarist Piotr Grudziñski who died in 2016. The new album features his replacement, guitarist Maciej Meller. Also, Duda wanted to capture the vitality of their live shows (which fans adore). The band recorded the new music in a rehearsal studio, capturing the energy of playing together.

The result is simply fantastic and pure Riverside. Their songs have all their classic and signature elements. Ambience and atmosphere that offers both melancholy and reflection. Song melody bolstered by vocal harmony and urged on by rhythmic heaviness. The consistently present bass lines that give every song forward moving rock grooves. Riverside's notable sparring between keyboards and electronica and sharp riffs and stylish guitar solos. All these things are wrapped up in subtle prog complexity that always seems effortless while being both intriguing and entertaining.

I'm not sure if I need to bore you with lengthy song analysis. I've included two videos with this review which speak to all the nuances written above. However, being by nature somewhat verbose, I offer a few observations. I was intrigued by the juxtaposition of softness and heaviness within Big Tech Brother, notably the piano line and riffs and rhythm section which lead to an eerie guitar solo. That aforementioned prominent bass work is significant within Landmine Blast, Friend or Foe, and I'm Done With You where it leads the song. Of course, the hallmark for Riverside proggishness is the lengthy The Place Where I Belong where they delve deep into their well-known musical melancholy.

All said, with perhaps too much said, Riverside's ID.Entity finds the iconic Polish rock band at their consistent best, offering prog fans their thoughtful, sometimes melancholy, but always creative and entertaining melodic progressive rock. Easily recommended.

Support the Artist & Dangerdog Music Reviews: This title is available, with unlimited streaming, via an Amazon Music account.

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Riverside's ID.Entity finds the iconic Polish rock band at their consistent best, offering prog fans their thoughtful, sometimes melancholy, but always creative and entertaining melodic progressive rock. Easily recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]

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