Riverside - Reality Dream (2008)

#Músicaparaelencierro.  He aquí un registro en vivo (dos CDs) que recoge la magistral trilogía "Reality Dream" de estos maravillosos polacos que luego de esta saga conceptual se ganaron una excelente reputación dentro del progresivo colocándose en la esfera de Porcupine Tree, con esa música que principalmente expresa sentimientos y emociones, no solamente con sonidos y riffs con un estilo bien actual sino también con mucha sensibilidad, con íntimas líricas y emotiva expresividad musical que los hizo resaltar por sobre la mayoría de grupos que en aquel tiempo estaban germinando en la escena musical. Un sonido espectacular, una eficacia a toda prueba y unas canciones que ponen los pelos de punta son los grandes atractivos de esta saga que termina con este broche de oro. Y también gracias a Carlos el Menuco!

 

Artista: Riverside

Álbum: Reality Dream
Año: 2008
Género: Heavy progresivo
Duración: 53:45 + 51:20 (105:05)
Nacionalidad: Polonia

Otra vez los maravillosos polacos en un registro en vivo lanzado originalmente como un álbum para los fans. Muy buen sonido... ojo que es una edición de sólo 1000 copias, o sea, nos estamos dando un real lujo con este disco, aunque creo que hicieron un release en el 2010, aunque igual sigue siendo un lujo por su calidad. este CD vino antes del DVD en vivo catalogado con el mismo nombre y que salió en el mismo año... incluso con la misma tapa.
En total, un muy buen concierto, que ofrece una magnífica visión de las actuaciones en directo de esta gran banda. La calidad de la música ayuda mucho, por supuesto, pero la capacidad de las bandas para traducir sus grabaciones de estudio en grabaciones en vivo de primera clase no deben ser subestimadas. Este es un excelente resumen de la primera etapa de la banda.

Reality Dream is a live album by progressive rock-metal band Riverside. Its two discs contain live performances of tracks from the Reality Dream Trilogy, which includes Rapid Eye Movement, Out of Myself and Second Life Syndrome. All the lyrics were written by bassist-vocalist Mariusz Duda.

Y qué buen violero es el pelado de Piotr Grudziński! bastante subestimado creo yo, capaz de riffeos metaleros pero que basa su técnica en la justeza, el buen gusto, la delicadeza y todo el swing a lo Gilmour y siempre con momentos sublimes e impecables. Por otro lado, por supuesto el bajo, la voz y todo el indiscutible talento de Mariusz Duda, junto con ese gran colchón de teclados impuesta por Lapaj, ya sean modernos o a lo Hammond pero siempre con una gran personalidad y dando un sonido distintivo, reconocible y bien propio. Y el pelado grandote y con cara de malo en la batería con muy buena técnica y haciendo un gran trabajo soportando al resto de monstruos. Con todo, tomando en cuenta lo aportado por cada uno de los músicos, es fácil darse cuenta del porqué éstos polacos son un grupo indispensable hablando del buen rock progresivo que se hace hoy en día.

 

En el tema "Back To The River" se mandan unos exquisitos acordes de "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" entre medio del tema y que resultan increíbles... en realidad, ese tema pertenece al single de "02 panic room" del 2007 y lo escribieron casi casi así, casi metiendo la parte de Pink Floyd, o sea, no fue solamente una modificaciòn para la versión en vivo. La banda presenta canciones de sus tres primeros álbumes, conocidos como "The Reality Dream Trilogy", las canciones fluyen en forma casi perfecta para formar un todo coherente y magnífico.

Siempre evocador, emocionalmente intenso, dramático y nostálgico, el grupo se ha convertido en una de las referencias a la hora de hablar de rock progresivo actual. Y aquí se los puede escuchar y sentir con toda la fuerza de una presentación en vivo, sonando de maravillas e increíblemente justos y precisos.
Por si hace falta, dejo algunos comentarios del disco. Y aclaro que no varían demasiado entre opinión y opinión, para todos esto está muy bueno. Para mí también.

Many years ago my good friend Artur Chachlowski was over in the UK and he handed me the debut album by a new Polish band and he told me that they were going to be huge. Now, I have been lucky enough to hear a lot of Polish prog over the years (SBB and Collage being particular favourites) so I knew that this was high praise and paid some serious attention to the music and agreed totally with the sentiment. This double live CD from 2008 brings together songs from the first three albums, and the four guys really know how to kick up a storm on stage. Mariusz Duda (vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar), Piotr Grudziński (guitars) and Piotr Kozieradzki (drums) had been there since the beginning and Michał Łapaj (keys) had been there since the second album so there is no surprise that they could bounce off each other.
There has been quite a lot of debate regarding the songs chosen for this recording, but if this is how they were touring at the time what's the issue? Comment must be made on the production which is stunning for a live recording, with a crispness and clarity often missing. Mariusz's vocals are spot on with plenty of emotion and edge when required, and his basswork is very Squire-like at times with a real punch. An early Seventies feel is provided by Michał when he uses the Hammond, but for large parts of the concert he is happy to provide a support role while Piotr K nails it from the back. It is Piotr G who really makes this for me, with some superb guitarwork which can be straight ahead rock when required, or at times a mixture of Gary Chandler and David Gilmour. I had to smile when I heard the strains of "Shine On" during "Back To The River" as I had already been thinking just how Floyd-like they were at times, and it fitted in perfectly.
They are just so good at what they do, that one often forgets that this is a live album which is both a strength and a weakness. They may not vary too much from the album versions, but as an introduction to the first three albums one can't really ask for more.

Kev Rowland

After enjoying Riverside on their 2009 ADHD tour, I had to have this live album from the 2008 tour. It focuses on the material from the first three albums, the so-called Reality Dream trilogy of which I had always appreciated the music very much. The polished sound and safe approach had charmed me less, so I hoped the live album would add some punch to the material. I haven't been disappointed in that respect.
Each of the songs sticks close to the studio albums, they're simply perfect in that respect. Of course, it you were perfectly happy with those versions then there's not much reason to get this live album. But Riverside's live focus is precise and passionate, the great vocals and more forceful drum sound brings that little extra punch. Still, it's no ADHD. The material remains a bit underwhelming in general. Naturally, songs like Reality Dream III, Second Life Syndrome and I Turned You Down are amazing.
Reality Dream is an excellent live document. But in order to deserve 4 stars from me, a live one must have more surprises in the way of rare tracks, improvisations or rearrangements then this album has. Reality Dream brings a faithful and competent renditions of the album tracks, nothing more and nothing less.

Karl Bonnek

4.5 stars for this live recording featuring material from their first three studio albums. Man this is so close to being 5 stars because of the peaks they hit for prolonged periods of time. The sound quality is excellent and for the most part they keep true to the original studio versions. I just love their sound though, the way they can bring so much atmosphere and depth contrasted with those heavy passages. This is a two disc affair with 14 tracks.
Disc one begins with "The Same River" which opens with the sound of applause and atmosphere as the guitar starts to cry out. It's building until we get heavy riffing after 3 1/2 minutes. Love the guitar and organ that follows. It's almost 6 minutes in before the main theme kicks in, vocals follow. Check out the guitar 10 1/2 minutes in, great track! "Out Of Myself" like the opening song come from the debut of course and how good is this one 1 1/2 minutes in, very powerful and I love the contrasts. "Volte-Face" has a very good heavy sound to it with prominant bass, vocals 3 minutes in. "Rainbow Box" is another kick-ass tune before "02 Panic Room" kicks in with that incredible groove to it, so good. Love the depth and atmosphere, and how good is this 3 1/2 minutes in as it relaxes some. Fantastic! "I Turned You Down" opens with piano before a full sound kicks in with vocals. Such a feel good song for me. "Reality Dream III" kicks in heavily before 2 minutes with synths over top. It settles back as the guitar solos over top. Contrasts continue. "The Curtain Falls" is the third and final song from the debut. Love the guitar early on, so relaxing. Warm vocals join in and it really is the guitar and vocals that make this such a good track.
Disc two begins with a top three song for me called "Parasomnia" from "Rapid Eye Movement". All my top three songs are on disc two by the way. This song opens with vocals only then a bass led section takes over as the vocals become more passionate. They are killing it 1 1/2 minutes in. I like when the calm returns before 4 minutes. Nice. The drum work and atmosphere standout 6 1/2 minutes in. Amazing tune. Another top three for me is "Second Life Syndrome" where we get plenty of atmosphere to start as the guitar comes in tastefully to appause. It kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes and the crowd loves it. FLOYD-like guitar a minute later and vocals follow. So intense, then the bass throbs 4 minutes in. My God! A dark calm after 6 minutes then it become gorgeous again before 8 minutes. It's building before 11 minutes as the crowd claps along. Pure joy 13 1/2 minutes in as this emotion stays to the end. "Back To The River" has so much atmosphere to begin with in this nod to PINK FLOYD. A beautiful instrumental where the guitar and bass are outstanding. Piano late as the melody for the next song "Conceiving You" comes in early. This is my other top three song. I'm not into ballads but this song kills me, it really does. Gulp. "Before" is a relaxed melancholic tune before we get some passion after 3 minutes. "Ultimate Trip" ends it, and it's drum led to start as Duda speaks to the audience in Polish. It's around 2 minutes when the main theme kicks in, vocals follow. Love the heaviness but also the atmospheric passages.
What can I say, this truly is a must for RIVERSIDE fans without a doubt. The emotion I enjoyed listening to this recording is what music is all about.

John Davie

104 minutes is rather on the short side for a live double album and indeed as already stated...many songs are missing...from which Loose Heart is perhaps one of the stangest choices. That said..it must be said that this song already was relaesed on a cd single in a truly amazing version....the other song that is not here and what I think is the best song of the entire trilogy is Rapid Eye Movement....however since this song is only available on the limited second disc of REM I dont know if they tend to have a habbit of playing, neither to add it to the Trilogy DVD. I perhaps push the envellope too much.
However what is left is a pleasure to our ears with no doubt. The souns is not always that good. Especially the drums that do not always come on as strong as on CD. Neither are the songs played as tight as on the cd's. I know Riverside had alot of complaints in relation to their live performances in the past...that it was not living up to the expectations...that it was not a good representation of the studio album, etc, etc...so I guess when listening to this..they must have improved alot. And then...not even Dream Theater can play the songs as tight as on the studio records..so we should not demand that....I think.
However..what I did like was the strong adds of much more powerfull and dominant keyboards here and there....which result in some truly chickenskin moments. As always great guitarwork......great vocals and great over all songs.......To me Riverside is much much more interesting than Dream Theater........Really look forward to the DVD...not to mention the Next album. Although..........till now none of the albums has been capable of living up against the first album....that should be ranked as a modern masterpiece in the galleries of Progressive Rock....so to begin this live cd with The Same River really was a good thing. The song builds up so amazingly.....and almost has sort of the same effect as Pink Floyd opening with Shine On Your Crazy Diamond..........perhaps a homage to this song on the second cd of REM, was therefor only obvious.

Daniel Schotman

This Polish progressive outfit led by bass player/lead vocalist and main composer Mariusz Duda is a well known act throughout Europe. They even managed to tour in North America as well. Their astonishing debut Out Of Myself in 2003, was followed by Second Life Syndrome (2005) and Rapid Eye Movement (2007). The band shows to be influenced by acts like Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree and even now they sometimes play music from these aforementioned bands. The music by this quartet ranges from ambient to progressive metal, but mainly it's slightly psychedelic progressive rock.
The concert was filmed using multiple cameras, both in fixed positions as well as carried by a professional camera crew. As usual the editing of a DVD takes time, therefore this concert from 17th May 2008 has been released just in January this year (2010). The concert features three tracks from the debut album and four from their third Rapid Eye Movement album, but the emphasis is clearly on their second album Second Life Syndrome, represented with six tracks.
The Toya Studios (Lodz - Poland) is a very nice venue with a large stage. Behind the band several impressive framed images, like immense paintings, on stage an old radio and next to the elaborate lighting, there are several screens on which video images are shown throughout the concert. As the venue is not as big as 'our' Heineken Music Hall, the screens have not been used to film the players or close ups from their hands and instruments. Watching the images, my impression is that the screens have not been used to the full and the videos are not always uplifting.
The quality of the sound is superb and if I hadn't been impressed by the individual members of the band long before, this would be the time to do so, because especially Duda renders a magnificent performance, both the vocals and the bass playing are outstanding. Because the four members of the band more or less have to stick to their designated spots, because of their instruments or footpedals, the static performance has been 'enhanced' by stripes, dust particles and 'rain' throughout the whole concert as if some of the tapes used were dating from over 60 years ago. Lots of rather disturbing images have been added to enliven the show but certainly not to my liking. Because sepia, purple, green and red seem to be the colors of choice and most of the time the performers are in the shade and cannot be seen with their usual tans for more than a few seconds, the show is rather 'dark'. Especially guitarist Piotr Grudziński seems to be afraid to move more than two inches and to open his eyes when filmed close up, while heavyweight drummer Piotr Kozieradzki seems to have this fixed facial expression of utmost concentration, without any smile or attempt to communicate with the audience. Even keyboard player Michał Łapaj, in the live shows responsible or the background vocals as well and Duda are far less interacting with the audience in comparison to the live performances on the second DVD. Furthermore there seem to be hardly any improvisations and smoke, while these are elements we are familiar with from the usual shows by Riverside.
On the second DVD we have two encores from the concert, a film by Dutchman John Vis, who filmed to setting up of the stage and the band during their preparations for this event as well as the soundchecks. The photo gallery and the credits are the inevitable 'musts' and the additions of live tracks from Canada and Europe are the living proof that this band is really awesome although the sound quality is far less than the featured concert, but still very acceptable.
In conclusion I would say the band is absolutely in brilliant form but you can enjoy the music best with your eyes closed. This 'best of' live on CD I would have rated at least 9 out of 10 but because the performance as a hole is utterly boring and/or not pleasant to watch because of the distracting additions, the DVD is rated less. Even the enjoyable bonus features cannot save this DVD. The live CD remains highly recommended and in my opinion a must for all fans of Riverside, Porcupine Tree and perhaps also Opeth.

Menno von Brucken Fock

Riverside were one of the prog happenings of the last decade, almost out of nowhere they burst onto the music scene with four albums, all of the very highest quality. Of course there are many bands that have also release great albums, but for one reason or another Riverside got picked-up by the public and were catapulted close to the top of the genre in a relatively short time. Now I'm ashamed to say that despite really loving this band, I've never seen them live, so I was very much looking forward to seeing this DVD.
There's the usual sort of build-up, some time-lapse photography of the stage being setup, then cut to the walk from the dressing-room with Riverside songs being tuned in via-the-radio-effect, a bit worn but innocuous. Already though there are hints of what's to come, colour-fade, false scratches on the film, quick zooms and cuts to multiple shots, white-outs and simulated burning film; it's video for the attention-deficit/MTV generation, it's as though the video has been used as a showcase for the software tool to show off all the different effects you can cram into as short a time as possible. It's all very Lasse Hoile, but with less taste and on steroids.
That in itself would be bad enough, but to add insult to injury, the band look as miserable as hell. They are mostly stationary with very little interaction between one-another. OK, I know, it's all about the music, but I want live to mean live, and that means a little excitement too, hell, even the crowd are mostly anonymous throughout. Guitarist Piotr Grudziński is on a plinth for the whole set and does move off it, he hardly seems to look at the rest of the band either, seems lost in his own dreamy world. Drummer Piotr Kozieradzki is lost behind his mammoth kit and isn't seen to smile once. The main man, Mariusz Duda, occasionally tries some audience interaction, but it seems a little forced. Maybe some credit to keyboardist Michał Łapaj who does seem to be having some fun, showing some emotion and jumping around a bit.
So visually not great, what about the music? Well it's perfect, not a note out of place, beautifully produced. Do they play that well live or is there a lot of post-production smoothing out any errors? Regardless it's too polished. Live music calls for a certain edge, energy and even error, at least compromise compared to studio recordings. I hear little evidence of that here. Oh yes, the multi-layered guitars are obviously not there, but the transitions from this part to that are so smooth it's unreal. Maybe I do them a disservice and they're so good they just play like this all the time. Duda and Łapaj are standout here, the former showing what a totally fantastic bass player he is with a style totally his own, with the most tremendous voice, but the whole band is really incredibly good, beyond good even. OK, sure they're not playing at the level of Dream Theater, but it's not easy-peasy stuff either... One wonders if it's not just better to listen to the studio versions of the CD's instead.
The DVD is meant as an overview of the Reality Dream trilogy of albums (Out of Myself, Second Life Syndrome, Rapid Eye Movement), and when presented together the songs do sometimes sound a bit too thematically same-y. Maybe that's deliberate as it is a linked trilogy, but that's how it comes across. And that's about it for the gig itself, one one hand perfect, on the other flawed. I find it deeply underwhelming and a missed opportunity for this amazing band.
So what of the extras? First-up there's a short film "Behind The Curtain" which shows the band preparing for the gig through to the meet-and-greet after the show. There's no narrative, just footage, and it's really rather nice, very well done. I find it funny that nearly every time we see guitarist Piotr he's practicing - maybe he really does play that damn good live? Michał on keyboards shows his sense of humour too. I guess if I was a younger man and bonkers about Riverside I'd re-watch this many times as you see much better the character of the band members. The second major extra is a handful of live performances from various gigs over the years and these to my mind are far more interesting than the main feature, regardless that the recording quality isn't as high. Why is that? Well the band seem alive and far more into the performance, the raw edge is there and it sounds real. All of these bonus tracks are excellent with the final track Reality Dream II really catching the eye as it's filmed before their "mainstream" breakthrough. It's before they had their signature guitars for instance, Piotr playing an Ibanez Jem and Mariusz on a MusicMan Stingray. This is a great footage showing the evolution if the band, although I would have liked to have seen some even older footage - maybe they're keeping that for the documentary DVD due for release in 2020...
So overall a disappointment for this reviewer with the main feature coming across as sterile and over-produced. Some mitigation in the extras, but not enough to warrant a recommendation to casual buyers. Certainly a must-have for Riverside aficionados, but even some of them will fall asleep half-way through...

Dave Baird

Ever since their debut, Out Of Myself, in 2004 Polish progressive metal band Riverside have released fantastic albums that I’ve enjoyed. I had the pleasure to review their second album, Second Life Syndrome, released in 2005. After several more albums and solo project from lead singer Mariusz Duda called Lunatic Soul in 2008, Riverside decided it was time to put out a full length dvd. I should point out that the material on Reality Dream: Live is from a different source than the dvd portion of special edition of Anno Domini High Definition .Both are essential to their fans.
While Riverside's music is being called progressive metal, it doesn’t fall under a Dream Theater style, it’s closer to Opeth sans the cookie monster vocals. They have a melodic side that reminds me of Porcupine Tree and modern Marillion.

Reality Dream was filmed at the Toya Studios in Lodz, Poland, on May 17th, 2008, and it features material from Out Of Myself (2004), Second Life Syndrome (2005), and Rapid Eye Movement (2007) which has been known as the "Reality Dream Trilogy." It has two discs filled with some of the stirring emotional renditions of their songs You feel the music from the first note of "The Same River"(from Out Of My Head) to the final track on disc 2 “”Ultimate Trip” (from Rapid Eye Movement).
Personal highlights of this dvd are “Volte-Face”, “02 Panic Room”, “Second Life Syndrome” The Curtain Falls“ (which ends the main part of the concert). For the best viewing enjoyment, I would suggest watching the first disc in one sitting, if possible, to feel the energy of the beautiful complex music the band creates.
On disc two, there are two encore tracks, “Ultimate Trip” being my favorite. Then there’s the encores with seven tracks from various times in the band’s career, between 2006 and 2008. One good thing is none of the bonus tracks are repeated from the main concert.
On the special features portion of the dvd, there’s a 15-minute behind-the-scenes film titled "Behind the Curtain". The down side is the band didn’t talk about their live or studio experiences. I just think of it more as a slide show with music. The booklet included has 10 pages of band photos. Again, nothing being said by the band about this dvd.
In closing, I would recommend fans of the band to purchase this ASAP. I would also recommend those that are new to the band and have no idea where to start off, to get your hands on this 2 disc dvd set. Riverside is one of my favorite bands in this genre thus getting regular viewings. It also documents an important time in the band’s career (so far).

Ron Fuchs

What to say about Riverside? For me they are one of the most pleasant surprises on the Prog scenario and their first official Live album (Reality Dream) has come to show us that not only Riverside is a very technical Band but also able to perform amazingly in front of the audience (and lets face it, this feature is getting rarer on modern bands).
I had no problem writing this review, because lately Riverside is always on my portable players (in fact Reality Dream was among these CDs) and all my job (oh how I wish this was my permanent job lol) was press play and remind the tracks. Riverside has made me gone mad, because after hearing this album I got very sad because I’ve lost their live performance right here in Rome…But lets walk by that grrrrrrr. The first part is more powerful musically speaking and set a great atmosphere for the rest of the concert. Their tracks are very technical and don’t lack to show some quite interesting features of each musician. The first time I have heard Riverside I spoke to myself (and to some other few) that these guys could be called porcupine tree and dream theatre heritage; of course they are not like these two bands but if you listen (specially on this amazing live album) focused on their styles you might understand why I think that, since they’ve managed to put together features of these two bands adding something of their own. Fantastic band, great future ahead…Vote 9 for this album.

Logan Lee

Los siguientes videos no corresponden a este disco (si bien sos temas que tocan en el registro que compartimos) pero sirven perfectamente para ilustrar a algún desprevenido y que sepa con qué sonido se va a encontrar aquí. Que lo disfruten!

 

Lista de Temas:
Disc 1:
1. The Same River
2. Out of Myself
3. Volte-Face
4. Rainbow Box
5. 02 Panic Room
6. I Turned You Down
7. Reality Dream III
8. The Curtain Falls
Disc 2:
1. Parasomnia
2. Second Life Syndrome
3. Back To The River
4. Conceiving You
5. Before
6. Ultimate Trip

Alineación:
- Mariusz Duda / vocals, bass, acoustic guitar
- Piotr Grudziński / guitars
- Michał Łapaj / keyboards
- Piotr Kozieradzki / drums