Riverside - Good Bassist, GREAT band

[jhan]

For you prog lovers out there, I've really been getting into a band called Riverside, from Poland. Doubtless some of you have heard of them. Anyways, I think they're one of the best prog bands going today. Kind of prog-light, not that technical, more atmospheric and groove oriented, lots of dynamic range. Really interesting - and quite listenable.

The bassist, Mariusz Duda, is a good player. Tasteful, but nothing fancy. He holds it down great, and it all works. On the first 2 albums, he has amazing tone. Check them out on Itunes and on Myspace: Link Removed

 

[CamiloDíaz]

I've followed every album, the 3 first records are one whole concept. Mariusz is great, but you forgot something: He is also the singer!! I catch some live material in Istambul on youtube, not some year or so ago. Great stuff.

 

[jhan]

Heard they sound even bettee live than on album. Wouldn't mind knowing Duda's setup.

 

[HailCorduroy]

It's cool to show up today and see threads about Spock's Beard and Riverside! I've got Riverside's 2nd and 3rd album and really dig their stuff. Nice blend of the heavy and atmospheric prog.

 

[jhan]

Spocks Beard rocks too. And let's not forget Porcupine tree.

Saw Opeth last week. Freakin' amazing.

 

[bottomfeedins]

I know he plays a Warwick (not sure of model). The new album has a bonus DVD of a live set with like 7 songs, and yes the whole set absolutely smokes! Actually I think the bonus edition of that album is out of print now. One of my favorite "new" bands out there. Opeth is absolutely mindblowing as well! Seen 'em twice, highly recommended!!

 

[CamiloDíaz]

Mariusz plays a Mayones

 

[CamiloDíaz]

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[bottomfeedins]

Aha, see how dumb I am? The bass he played in the show I saw (bonus DVD to new album) looked almost like a Warwick thumb...

 

[jhan]

Yeah, that Mayones is NICE. I'm dying to try one. Hardly ever see 'em in the States though. They're made by a Polish company. Probably not even worth it to ship 'em here.

I've only seen them used by European players: Dark Tranquility, Within Temptation, Riverside.

 

[Trapezius]

He's a great singer and bass player. Here's our new Geddy.. sort of.

Riverside is great. Lots of amazing songs, and very good players.

 

[jhan]

Not too technical either. Some of their songs are built around 2-4 riffs, and they just layer things in. Kind of like 'prog-lite.' They rely a lot on atmosphere. All in all, it's very accessible, IMO.

Now and again, prog metal/rock kind of annoys me, in the sense that it's either a bunch of ceaseless twiddle diddle, or it's not songs so much as a bunch of parts strung together. (Dream Theater, anyone?) Riverside is a lot more song oriented. I like them in the same way that I like Porcupine Tree.

He's a great singer and bass player. Here's our new Geddy.. sort of.

Riverside is great. Lots of amazing songs, and very good players.

 

[bottomfeedins]

Blakkheim from Katatonia uses a Mayones guitar, not sure what the (former) bass-player uses. Also, I'd like to comment on the "Geddy Lee" quote. I must say that Riverside's structure does have many similarities with Rush. Not the music itself, but how each instrument plays its part. I've noticed the guitar work in Riverside seems to have the same placement and (some) similar stylings to Alex Lifeson, as well. Riverside can very well be the Polish Rush . Obviously the drummer for Riverside doesn't even touch Neil Peart, but then who really does? OK, enough blabbering...