It has been five years since the last album, 2018’s ‘Wasteland’, which was recorded as a trio with some guests, following on from the death of guitarist Piotr Grudziński. They are now back as a full quartet with Mariusz Duda (vocals, basses, electric and acoustic guitars), Piotr Kozieradzki (drums), and Michał Łapaj (keyboards and synthesizers, Rhodes piano and Hammond organ) being officially joined by touring 7There is no doubt that Duda has a fine voice, but the issue with this album is the lack of soul and power and the way the production has sanitised any roughness or power out of existence. My initial thoughts on hearing this was just how much they reminded me of Marillion, not in the musical style but the way the singer had now ripped the passion out of the band and all the focus was now on him.
A Polish friend gave me the debut album not long after it was released (can that really be 20 years ago now?), and while I never put them into the same brackets as bands like SBB or Collage there is no doubt the prog masses fell in love with them and to many are the ultimate Polish prog act. That this is very clever and well performed is never in doubt, but I have found the more I play it the less I actually enjoy it as I am feeling somewhat smothered whereas I should be feeling invigorated and excited at having the first new Riverside album for five years. It may well be top of the PA charts for Polish releases in 2023 but is actually the only one to get enough reviews to be included and does not have as many points as last year’s album by Collage. It currently sits at #28 in the overall charts for 2023, but sad to say that is in my mind mostly due to fans being so pleased to hear a new album that they have marked it very high indeed. Don’t get me wrong, this is a pleasant release which many will find satisfying, it is just that for a band 20+ years and eight albums into their career they should be producing music which is far more exciting and dangerous than this middle of the road affair.
