ALBUM REVIEW: “Live ID.” By Riverside

Back in May 2024, we headed to SWX in Bristol and caught Riverside on their “ID. Entity” tour, promoting their latest album. With an acoustic set from Klone, it was certainly a musical night to remember. Well, we’re excited to say that next Friday (24thJanuary) sees the release of “ Live ID.” via InsideOutMusic, a live album capturing that tour for the ages, recorded on 1st June 1st at COS Torwar in Warsaw.

Founded in 2001 by friends Mariusz Duda, Piotr Grudziński, Piotr Kozieradzki and Jacek Melnicki, who all shared a love for progressive rock and heavy metal. But with Duda, a fan of electronic, ambient, experimental music, like Radiohead, Massive Attack, Dead Can Dance, Tangerine Dream, Peter Gabriel, and later on, prog rock like Pink Floyd, Rush, Tool, Marillion, it led to Riverside developing their own unique style of prog rock, blending atmospheric rock and metal elements.

They released their debut album “Out of Myself” in 2003, and have drawn acclaim from fans and critics alike, but in recent years had to overcome the untimely death of guitarist Piotr Grudzinksi. The current line up consists of Mariusz (bass & vocals) and Piotr (drums & percussion) joined by Michał Łapaj (keyboards, theremin & vocals), and Maciej Meller (guitar).

January 2023 saw Riverside released their eighth studio album “ID.Entity” to critical acclaim reaching #2 in Poland, #4 in Germany #9 in Holland in sales, and similarly in many other countries.

“Live ID.” Is out on 24th January 2025, and can be pre-ordered from InsideOutMusic HERE.

Riverside’s vocalist/bass-player and main songwriter Mariusz Duda comments about the upcoming live album:

“I would argue that Riverside always come across better in concerts than on studio albums. In fact, it’s only during live performances that our songs gain their full potential. What’s more, some song arrangements are much better in live versions than in studio recordings. There are a lot of nuances, quirks, and, above all, explanations of what RIVERSIDE’s music is all about. That’s why “Live ID.” is not just an ordinary live album. It’s an album that reveals the band’s true identity.“

As you would expect the live tour was heavily influenced by material from the latest studio album “ID.Entity”, but it also re-visits fan favourites from across their back catalogue, in a new and compelling way.

Opening the album is #Addicted from 2015’s “Love, Fear and the Time Machine”. What immediately hit me was the quality of the live recording. Obviously between songs you have the chat and crowd noise and cheers, but the songs themselves are almost ‘studio album’ like – crisp, clear and packed with sonic detail. It’s a great opening track and here it takes on a more colourful personality than its studio counterpart.

Next up is another fan favourite in Panic Room from 2007’s “Rapid Eye Movement”. This is one of my favourite Riverside tracks and illustrates their unique prog style perfectly. The guitarwork is clear and powerful, but not overwhelming or brutal, the keyboards weave through the mix givint hat ethereal edge, and then there’s Duba’s irresistible, punchy basslines which are mesmerising. Heir sound is intricate and deep but without pummelling the listener into submission.

Next we get our first taste from “ID.Entity” in the form of Landmine Blast and Big Tech Brother.

The intro to Landmine Blast is a delight, with guitar and keyboard in perfect harmony delivering a rich riff before the drums kick in. The lyrics have a classic prog styling, and the track builds to a powerful rock ending. I have to say on the album, Big Tech Brother is introduced by an automatic voice delivering a spoken word intro. To be honest, I don’t like it, d it just feels unnecessary, but live, it is replaced by Duba’s own voice, and equally, for me, it just doesn’t work. Sorry, but its only second long so onto the good stuff, which is Big Tech Blast a rollercoaster of a track and over 8 minutes in length ! The highlight here is Michał keyboard skills, with Hammond organ, and clear piano tones and some delicious solo sections. Live Michał is a bundle of energy and despite trapped in behind his rack of keyboards, he is a buzz of energy, bringing life and energy to the performances. Somehow, this energy come over in the song, and the final section solo is nothing short of magnificent, with keys screaming almost guitar-like.

The more contemplative Lost taken from 2015’s “Love, Fear and the Time Machine”, and Left Out from the 2010 EP “Anno Domini High Definition EP 2010” both delivering a different atmosphere altogether, mellow and intricate in structure, they’re truly intoxicating. Left Out in particular has some slowed down rock guitar tones which are simply lush – lighters in the air stuff !

The it’s back to “ID.Entity” for Post Truth and The Place Where I Belong. Post Truth opens with a sharp keys intro before bursting into life with some edgy guitar work from Maciej. Duba’s vocals again the focus and delivered with power and emotion, and this one demonstrates his power and excellent range. The chorus sections are anthemic and powerful. At almost 16 minutes The Place Where I Belong is the longest song on the album and opens with Duba singing alone with acoustic guitar before synth tones add to the depth with some subtle cymbal crashes. It meanders along and changes and morphs as it goes demonstrating their technical proficiency and ability to deliver emotional depth mixing classic prog, with power. There are some beautiful silky blues key tones from Łapaj on the the Hammond, and both melancholic guitar tones as well as pure rock power from the strings on Meller guitar.

We head back to the 2010 EP “Anno Domini High Definition” for the with the pulsating power and driving riffs of Egoist Hedonist, and its texture laden synth atmospherics. A stunning live set, and the clapping of the fans fit perfectly here almost part of the songs structure matching Piotr’s drum beats perfectly.

The stand out song on “ID.Entity” for me is Friend or Foe and this live version is spot on. Łapaj takes the lead with the synth intro, it fades to a simple beat accompanied by the crowd clapping and cheering before Duba’s iconic bass riff takes centre stage. Once again the vocals and insanely good, all the elements combine and soar together in a wall of delightful sound. Self Aware follows which has more rock anthem feel to it, with its lively, effervescent tones.

Check out a video of Friend or Foe live below:

The album concludes with one of their older tracks, and one of their best, in the hauntingly beautiful Conceiving You taken form 2005’s “Second Life Syndrome”. As the crowd clapping fades away it opens with a piano alongside Duba’s vocals, creating a melancholic and dark tone. As the bass joins with some subtle guitar work, it opens up and builds, creating raw, and somehow almost fragile feel to the track, to match the lyrics theme of longing. In this live version the song is extended to over twelve minutes and Riverside allow themselves to completely immerse I the heart and emotion of the track.

As the track draws to a close, Duba interacts with the crowd in whispered tones, encouraging them to join in, not in the usual shouts and cheers but in dark, whispered cries. It’s weird and ethereal, but works brilliantly ! Something that would be so brilliant to be involved in live ! A large crowd all whispering “Yeeeaaaahhh” is something you don’t hear often…. Then suddenly the track explodes, out of nowhere into a crescendo of beautiful and complex noise, as it builds and builds to a euphoric conclusion.

“ID.Entity” is a stunning studio album, and I recommend you give it a listen anyway, but “Live ID.” Is a great live album, as it breathes new energy into each and every track. The structure and mix is good too, plenty of new material but the best highlights from their back calelogue creating a great balance.

For me, “Live ID.” Stands as a testament to the beautify of live music, how songs are brought to life for the crowds and how bands build unique connections with their fans. You certainly get the feeling of the energy flowing between the band members and the audience.

Having experienced Riverside live last year, this album brings back some wonderful memories of one of the bets shows I’ve attended. Beautifully engineered and mixed, it’s a must listen for any prog or rock fan…. And anyone else. A richly deserved 9.0 from LiveWire Music.

“Live ID.” is released on 24th January 2024 and can be pre-ordered from InsideOutMusic HERE.