RAPID EYE MOVEMENT

'Rapid Eye Movement' is the last effort of their trilogy - successful like the two others as for a summary. There are no surprises here in fact - they repeat their style on a high standard again. I can't state a fundamental approvement or progression except some more interesting keyboard additions here and there but I know this is really hard to realize if you are concerning the forerunner 'Second Life Syndrome'. Anyhow - if someone doesn't know the band and gets this one first it is a very good introduction.

Once again they show their strong points with emotional vocals by Mariusz Duda and Piotr Grudzinski's catchy guitar riffs. The keyboards are getting a more important role compared to the forerunners. The RIVERSIDE sound is not that typical for prog metal - they are also often entering the neo prog and art rock territory. The opener Beyond The Eyelids for me is one of the best songs because very grooving with excellent keyboard additions. That's how I like the band. 02 Panic Room strikes because of a stomping rhythm and with Through The Other Side respectively Embryonicwe have compelling melancholic ballads with acoustic guitar again. The last song is not the Ultimate Trip but another album highlight what I can say with some improvised moments.

The deluxe version is consisting of five additional songs whereas for Behind The Eyelids I'm impressed once more by the keyboard accents and the song shines also with nice percussion accompaniment. Reminiscences to Porcupine Tree and Pink Floyd are enriching Back to the river. The title song Rapid Eye Movement finally is turned out with ambient and psychedelic moments - just another new facet of the band.

Superficially there might remain the impression that RIVERSIDE had the fear to leave the reliable path maybe to prevent a disappointment for their fans. But this will be relativized if you're also considering the second CD with some new experiments. I was wondering for a long time if four stars are too much with two recent gems in the back. But finally I don't see any problem and there is no need for me to degrade this album at all.

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