Anno Domini High Definition

Riverside | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inside Out Music
• ASIN: B0026ZNL80
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,182 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Progressive-Ambient Rock Ecstasy, July 28, 2009

By 

Prog-Rev-Elation "ProgRevElation" (ALLover) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anno Domini High Definition (Audio CD)

Although Riverside bears some similarities to other bands in the progressive genre, they have managed to carve out a place that is unique - distinctly their own. They truly have a signature sound.

This album pours out the usual ambient, psychedelic, and metal mixtures that capture your attention, and take you on a mental, imaginary journey of musical ecstasy for its brief length of 44 minutes (and 44 seconds).

If any musician stands out in this album (they are all outstanding) it is the keyboard player who adds flavor after flavor, sound diversity and effects, who paints a musical picture that takes more than a thousand words to describe. The use of the Hammond organ adds a great feel to the songs, a 70's recollection, yet perfectly new millennium at the same time.

Passionate vocals with some intentional voice cracking, solid guitar - a cross of Gilmour and Petrucci, energetic drumming, creative basslines, even some horns, and absolutely perfect keyboard sounds/effects all add to a GREAT Riverside album. IMO, their best offering to date.

I am completely impressed by this band's consistent excellence. Do yourself a favor, buy this album, give it half a dozen spins (at least), and discover one of the most exciting bands to emerge on the music scene in a long time.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A new direction, July 28, 2009

By 

WillieB - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anno Domini High Definition (Audio CD)

For me, what makes Riverside stand out is the vocal talent of Mariusz. He has an emotional tone that fits this style of music to a tea. Even his screams/growls are done tastefully. This release has more of an upbeat aggressive classic rock vibe, a different direction for the group, and I like it. There are some mellow passages but no ballads. Good job on the production. All instruments blend well, the keyboards are more pronounced in the mix, there seems to be more vocal overdubs than usual (makes a really thick sound), and the bass is punchy and audible. Also, I really like the jazzy brass section on "Egoist Hedonist". Nice change of pace, I wish it lasted longer.

I'll probably never have the opportunity to see Riverside live so this 40-minute DVD is the next best thing. The video quality is average and the audio mix is stereo only. The set list and the performance are good but the other band mates need to step up and do more backing vocals. Also, they seem to be timid, lacking in confidence onstage.

Overall, I like the new direction Riverside has taken. This is a killer disc that gets better with every listen and will be one of my contenders for album of the year.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Progressive-Ambient Rock Ecstasy, July 28, 2009

By 

Prog-Rev-Elation "ProgRevElation" (ALLover) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anno Domini High Definition (Audio CD)

Although Riverside bears some similarities to other bands in the progressive genre, they have managed to carve out a place that is unique - distinctly their own. They truly have a signature sound.

This album pours out the usual ambient, psychedelic, and metal mixtures that capture your attention, and take you on a mental, imaginary journey of musical ecstasy for its brief length of 44 minutes (and 44 seconds).

If any musician stands out in this album (they are all outstanding) it is the keyboard player who adds flavor after flavor, sound diversity and effects, who paints a musical picture that takes more than a thousand words to describe. The use of the Hammond organ adds a great feel to the songs, a 70's recollection, yet perfectly new millennium at the same time.

Passionate vocals with some intentional voice cracking, solid guitar - a cross of Gilmour and Petrucci, energetic drumming, creative basslines, even some horns, and absolutely perfect keyboard sounds/effects all add to a GREAT Riverside album. IMO, their best offering to date.

I am completely impressed by this band's consistent excellence. Do yourself a favor, buy this album, give it half a dozen spins (at least), and discover one of the most exciting bands to emerge on the music scene in a long time.