The stage of the Toya Studios in Lodz, Poland is swathed in blue as Piotr Grudzinski’s guitar cuts the air like a knife. It sets the scene for Riverside one of the most impressive prog-rock bands currently on the European circuit.
They seize the opportunity and deliver a concert that helps underline their undoubted pedigree. Fortunately for us the night was filmed and has been released as a double DVD set, Reality Dream Live, now available on the ProgTeam Management label.
Warsaw based Riverside was formed in 2001 releasing their debut studio album Out Of Myself two years later. Second Life Syndrome followed in 2005, and Rapid Eye Movement appeared after a further two year gap. Since then we have also seen another studio album, the more urgent sounding Anno Domini High Definition, which was released in mid 2009.
This is, however, the first official DVD showing the band playing live. Shamelessly influenced by the likes of Pink Floyd, Dream Theatre, Opeth, Tool, and Porcupine Tree, Riverside deliver a set of their now trademark mix of atmospheric progressive rock along with the occasional foray into harder edged metal.
This type of performance has seen the bands reputation grow along with the size of venues. This development is on full view here as they launch into set opener “The Same River”.
The two hour concert, recorded in May 2008, consists of performances of the most important tracks from their studio albums up to that date. Attractively shot from various angles, which include many up close cameras, the DVD still manages to retain that ‘in house’ feel of an audience member.
With an impressive light show and characteristically artistic stage set, the band delivers a performance which more than underlines just why their reputation has grown to the extent that it has.
“Out Of Myself”, from their debut album ,“Volte-Face”, from Second Life Syndrome, lead nicely to “Rainbow Box”, and the excellent “02 Panic Room” from Rapid Eye Movement.
Article comments
1 - Paul Roy
Good review. Too bad it still costs $40 at Amazon.com. I hope it eventually comes down in price so I can pick it up.