Customer Reviews

Anno Domini High Definition

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Call it superstition or karma, but I guess the fours have to mean something here. Four words to the title of the album and then 44 minutes and 44 seconds in length. I have had this release since June and this is another great album from this band that hails from Poland. While you can call it progressive, ambient, eclectic Riverside has a sound all its own and that's what drove me to them in the first place. There is just something unique that they deliver album after album. Each song here is a keeper and won't disappoint. If you haven't tried Riverside before then this would be a great start to add to your collection. The only negative would have to be the length. But if you desire more then check out lead singer Mariusz's side project "Lunatic Soul". A little bit more somber, but still a great listen.

With the resurgence of prog over the last couple of decades, bands are constantly bubbling up from around the world and putting out albums that tantilize you with promise and talent. Riverside's previous works have all fallen solidly into that catagory. They've consistantly delivered and consistantly improved, but with Anno Domini HD, I really feel they've put themselves into the A list of prog.
All the elements of their former efforts are to be found here, Duda's moving and powerful voice, haunting lyrics and atmosphere, surprising rhythmic touches and rock solid musicianship, but this album has an even greater cohession and drive to it then previous works. They've opened up the throttle a bit and turned up the amps just a notch or two.
The short version is this; If you've enjoyed their other albums you'll love this one. If you're a fan of modern prog (Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Pain of Salvation, etc) and haven't heard them yet, add this one to your shopping list.

Riverside was suggested as a band for those who prefer progressive rock and bands like Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree - it was an excellent suggestion! Anno Domini High Definition is the third Riverside album I've purchased from Amazon, and it's another winner! The album deserves repeated listening, and it just keeps getting better each time.

It seems like every prog release automatically gets 4-5 stars on Amazon, so it's difficult to figure out which ones are for real. This one is. This is such a good CD and I've come to appreciate it as having three distinct energy levels. First there is the almost constant energy of the bass and percussion that reflect the restlessness and pace described in the lyrics. Then there's a very nice ebb and flow in each song...I almost feel as though my audio system is going to explode but then it settles back down to a sort of numbness. Finally, the CD builds to the final volley which makes my skin tingle. I think the most obvious comparison is Tool, but there is a much more refined and complex structure to this music. Ok - I love this CD, and recommend it to anyone who appreciates good rock music.

Upon first listen this CD didn't impress me as much as Second Life Syndrome and Rapid Eye Movement but, in recent memory, I can't think of a better example of "That one REALLY grew on me!!" Now it's tied for 2nd with 2nd life, though I still think REM is their best effort to date. But this CD definitely proves one thing if nothing else, their song writing skills are growing by leaps and bounds.

And it's also hard to pick a favorite at this point, I don't think I've NOT listened to the entire thing, even on my MP3 player. Though the last ones, "Left Out" and "Hybrid Times" (the long ones), pack a heck of a 1-2 punch!!

At this point I think it goes without saying to get the version with the bonus DVD. Since spring me & my buddies have been complaining (on message boards and in chat rooms) about the lack of a live DVD, guess they heard us!!! :)

While the DVD doesn't have my single favorite song, Cybernetic Pillow, it does have 3 of my top 5: Beyond the Eyelids, 02 Panic Room and Ultimate Trip (Rainbow Box being the fifth) so....how can I lose?!?! And, while it's only stereo, no 5.1, it sounds just fine, very well produced!

If you like Riverside there is NO way you'll be disappointed, especially a month later. And if you like powerprog, progmetal, symphonic metal (whatever they're calling it this week) and want to check out Riverside, I'd say start with this because of the DVD. I still think REM is their best album.....by a hair.

Now...if we could just get them to tour over here, preferably opening for someone like Porcupine Tree or Tool...I'd be a happy man!

This album is simply amazing. It has a slightly different feel than their previous efforts but it is a good thing. Few bands these days actually get better from release to release. Riverside is such a band. I've been a fan since just after their 2nd album and each release since then has been better and better. ADHD is an intense listen and you pick up new things each time you listen to it. I think track 2 and 4 are my current fav's. The outro jam on Left Out is just awesome. One of my favorite things about Riverside has always been the bass work and vocals, both handled by frontman Maruiusz Duda. The man is a true musician. One of my complaints of previous Riverside was the guitar work wasn't as prominent as I tend to like in my music. This album offers much stronger guitar and keyboard, in my opinion, and it adds a whole new level to the overall quality of Riverside. Do yourself a favor and buy this album, you will not regret it.

This new album from polish progrockers Riverside must be one of their best albums. The music is well played and the lyrics are splendid. If i would write a list of the albums of the year 2009, this one would be on the list.