Even though I first heard of RIVERSIDE way back when I was living in Norway, this will be the first time I see them live.
I am sad that I didn’t get to see them with all the original members, before guitarist Piotr Grudziński sadly passed away in 2016, but I am sure I will feel his presence during the evening in the music he was a big part of creating.
I always have a special feeling when attending prog koncerts, as I feel like I’m part of a huge family getting together, enjoying the musicality and atmosphere that this particular genre creates, and tonight is not an exception.
When the Polish trio + live guitarist Maciej Meller enter the stage, I cannot stop smiling, and the people in the audience around me do the same. The energy they send out to the crowd is amazing.
They start off by playing “Acid Rain” from their latest album Wasteland and I just know now, that this is going to be an amazing show.
The drumbeat in the beginning of “Vale of Tears” makes me remember why I started listening to Riverside in the first place. This song is brilliant because it has everything a good song should have: a solid drum- and bass beat, great guitar riffs, keys perfectly placed and to top it all a melody that sticks like glue.
Singer and bass player Mariusz Duda has a presence that is both dark and melancholic, but when he hits us with jokes between songs, you realise that his seriousness is only regarding his music and not his person as such.
I love the changes in moods Riverside bring during the show, as I find myself singing along and stomping my feet along to songs like “Egoist Hedonist” and “Vale of tears” and then feeling extremely moved with tears in my eyes when hearing “Guardian Angel”
I am also really impressed by the lighting in the venue, and for Riverside, who haves a great light show, it makes this whole experience so much more special when everything syncs.
The only negative thing I can say is that the sound is a bit too low for my taste at this venue, but I guess that could be due to rules for the decibel level, and also the setlist could have been a little bit shortened.
All in all, this was a great evening and show, and for those of you who haven’t seen Riverside live yet – or want to see them again – I can highly recommend to catch a show – you will not regret it!
I have to admit I have never heard of LESOIR before today, and I approach this with an open mind and without too many expectations.
When the band starts to play I am really in chock! Where have I been? Why have I never heard this before? How much have I missed? Have I been living under a rock? Have they?
The band consist of five members, and the two women in the band seem to be multitalented, playing five instruments between them and they both sing as well.
Vocalist Maartje has a very characteristic voice with a distinct vibrato and I catch myself getting goose bumps several times due to her beautiful voice along with the harmonies together with other singer, Eleën.
I am so impressed by what I hear and see, and the musicality of the quintet is mindblowing.
They create a magical feeling with their songs together with the lighting, which makes it a thrill for both ears and eyes.
When singer Maartje all of a sudden starts to play the flute, I am sold! I have played the flute myself when I was younger and therefore this instrument has a special place in my heart. The flute fits their music like hand in glove and makes the experience feel even more magical and “dreamy” than before.
Their music really touches me, and I can strongly recommend this band to everyone that likes to listen to bands like Porcupine tree, Anathema and Pain of Salvation.
I know that I will check this band out some more, and MAYBE, just maybe I will dust off my flute and start to play again. They have inspired me.
There is variation on this collection of tracks as well. The plaintive piano and vocal whisper letting of Guardian Angel, the straight-ahead (more or less) riffing and song structure of Acid Rain and Vale of Tears, the acoustic sturm and drang of Lament, etc. It’s all here – their reputation precedes them, and they do not disappoint. If I were to have anything negative to say, it would be that they have become a bit more commercial over the years. If they are shooting for FM radio, then they might have a shot at some of the modern channels. This is NOT straight metal, folks – nor is it straight hard rock, or classic rock – Riverside is Riverside. They are an enigma, and nobody else sounds like them, at least exactly. They are in their own little world. This, dear readers, is a world that I would love to visit.
If your thing is soundscapes, or prog metal, then you have a taste of that as well. The title track and The Struggle For Survival are about as close as you’re going to get to prog with Riverside. The shorter numbers are just as interesting as the longer numbers, you’ll find. Enjoy. I know I am.
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