RIVERSIDE — Shrine of New Generation Slaves (review)

RIVERSIDE — Shrine of New Generation Slaves album cover

Album · 2013 · Metal Related

5/5 · 2013-03-28
arcane-beautiful

Riverside, or as I like to call them...the fine line between Opeth and Porcupine Tree.

Ok...I have claimed to have call the band that in the past, and to be honest, was the reason I got into the band...but...can we really pigeon hole the band with a tag like that. Well...yes and no.

With the bands first 3 albums, they did have a a very Porcupine Tree/Opeth feel to them, with a heavy prog sound accompanied by an almost Gothic tone. But, their last 3 albums, including this album, seem to adopted a more prog rock tone, and the metal/heavy elements have been toned down to suit the bands more experimental needs. So in my verdict, with every experiment these guys partake...the better a band they become. And this album proves it.

Musically, these guys have seem to have crafted an album I always wanted them to craft. A prog rock album, with actual songs, experimental sections, a heavy sound and also...they seem to be having a lot of fun as well, which really helps, because if the band are having a good time making this music, then the audience will enjoy the album a lot more.

The album, being a concept album, deals with a lot of interesting topics, such as modern society, pop culture and one of the biggest themes...the idea of who we are and everyone's feeling of loss in today's world. Now, being a Polish band, sometimes their lyrics aren't the best grammatically speaking, but I always enjoy when a foreign band writes in a different language to their own, mainly because a foreigner can always use language in a different way to us English speakers.

Musically these guys have never been better. Some of the instrumental sections are incredibly impressive, and now and then you can hear traces of influence, but they are enable to incorporate a lot more personality, which leaves the listener always on his toes. The only problem I've had with this band is Mariusz's vocals. I'm not saying their bad...but they aren't the best. But, on this album,it seems that Mariusz sees his flaws, and instead of making them better, he works more on what he can do, then what he cant.

1. New Generation Slave - An odd and rather exciting way to open the album off. One of the bands most grooviest songs, with some pretty kick ass riffs throughout. 9/10

2. The Depth Of Self-Delusion - An interesting almost ballad like song. Has some interesting lyrics now and then and has some nice moments throughout, but I do feel that this song could have been cut down a little length wise. 8/10

3. Celebrity Touch - The single from the album (check out the music video by the way, it's good). One of the albums obvious catchy and most memorable moments. A brilliantly arranged songs, with some interesting progressions throughout. 10/10

4. We Got Used To Us – A beautiful ballad on the album, with some beautiful piano arrangements. One of my favorite songs by far from this band. 10/10

5. Feel Like Falling - One of the album's most catchiest songs. A great chorus and some nice groovy moments. 9/10

6. Deprived (Irretrievably Lost Imagination) - Probably my favorite song on the album. A very 'Radiohead Ok Computer' meets Dark Side Of The Moon style of a song, with some nice melancholic moments. The saxophone in this song is brilliant, and Mariusz's vocals in this song even surprise me a little at times. 10/10

7. Escalator Shrine - It wouldn't be a Riverside album without an “epic”. Now this does usually follow the usual Riverside epic structure, being in 2 parts and all that, but...this is probably my favourite epic from these guys. Part 1 shows some nice almost pop like moments, while part 2 is more of a prog/ theatrical style. The epic prog bit is seen in part 3, and boy is it epic. Also, this song ends on one of these guys' most kick ass riffs, and overall, shows how amazing instrumentally this band can be. 10/10

8. Coda - The return of the “Feel Like Falling” motif. Brilliant ending to the album. 10/10

CONCLUSION: Usually Riverside don't impress me too much and I usually end up pushing them to one side. Because of this album, I now take back all negativity I had towards them. This album surprised and really impressed me. This by far is their greatest achievement to date, and I await another masterpiece from these guys soon.

8.6/10