Riverside is a progressive rock band from Warsaw, Poland. It was founded in 2001 by friends Mariusz Duda, Piotr Grudziński, Piotr Kozieradzki and Jacek Melnicki, who shared a love for progressive rock and heavy metal. Riverside can be described as a stylistic blend of atmospheric rock and metal elements, resulting in a sound similar to that of Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, and Tool, while still maintaining an identity of their own.
In October of 2002, about a year after their formation, the band performed a pair of shows in Warsaw. After the distribution of 500 copies of their demo, the band performed at a small club in Warsaw once again in early 2003. As the band continued to write more material for a full length release, there grew a dissonance between keyboardist Jacek and the other members of Riverside. Jacek wished to continue with his studio pursuits so, during the latter part of 2003, he split from the group.
Their first album, entitled Out of Myself., was released in Poland in late 2003. The success of the album in Poland and the live shows that the band performed led to a release of the album on American record label Laser's Edge in September of 2004, this time with cover art from Travis Smith, painter for bands such as Opeth, Anathema, and Devin Townsend. It seemed like Out of Myself was receiving nothing but the highest international praise and it won best debut in many magazines and websites such as Metal Hammer and Belgium Prog-Nose.
Following their 2003 debut Out of Myself and the success that followed in 2004, the band began working on an EP entitled Voices In My Head which was at first a release exclusive to Poland through the label Mystic Productions. The quartet from Poland performed their first foreign gig at the Progpower festival in the Dutch city of Baarlo. They left audiences completely floored, and sold out of all CD stocks. Then, they released Second Life Syndrome in late October of 2005. The album was a massive success, expanding the scope of the band's reach even further than Out of Myself.
The album holds a formidable spot as number 62 on Prog Archives top 100 prog albums as well as the number one rated album of 2005. In addition, the band played their first overseas show at NEARfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on June 24th, 2006. Soon after, the band would begin writing for its third full length album and final installment in the Reality Dream Series.
In October of 2007, the band released the album Rapid Eye Movement, under the InsideOut label. Before the release, the band toured in support for Dream Theater on the European leg of their tour, exposing them to even more potential fans. Mariusz Duda recently released the debut album from his new project, Lunatic Soul.
The quartet has recently completed a new album, "Anno Domini High Definition”, released in June 2009.
If you want to know this great band, take a look at these:
"We used to like it
Used to be
In the sunset time of our dream
For all these things we cannot change
We cannot be
We cannot stay
But if you lose your faith
Know that I am still your friend
And if the sky falls down
Know that I will still support you"
(In two minds - Riverside)
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