InsideOut Music releases Lost ‘n’ Found – Live in Tilburg, the new triple album or double CD from Polish Progressive Rock/Progressive Metal band Riverside. The line-up at the time of the live recording was Piotr Grudzinski on guitar (who sadly passed away in 2016), Mariusz Duda on vocals and bass, Piotr Kozieradzki on drums, and Michal Lapaj on keyboards and backing vocals. Their back catalogue includes Out of Myself (2003), the breakthrough Second Life Syndrome (2005), Rapid Eye Movement (2007), Reality Dream (2008) the self-released Anno Domini High Definition (2009), Shrine of New Generation Slaves (2013), Love Fear and the Time Machine (2015) which they were promoting on the European tour when this show was recorded, and Eye of the Soundscape (2016). This live release is available as a Limited Mediabook 2CD+DVD, and as a Gatefold 3LP on 180g Vinyl, with the full concert on two CDs as a bonus. I have received the audio music only, so that’s what I’m reviewing here.

I’m impressed by this one right from the outset, even though it sounds like there are only twenty people in the audience. 'Lost' has a Hammond organ joined by a reverb-laden guitar. The vocals are very clear and English-sounding. Duda’s singing voice at times reminds me of Fish of early Marillion. There are some backing voiced psychedelic noises which is reminiscent of very early Pink Floyd. When the whole band kicks in proper it sounds great, with guitar and keyboards given equal presence, as with the MK II Deep Purple line-up. 'Feel Like Falling' has off-beat drums and ringing keyboards which underpin a nice atmospheric guitar riff. Nice fluttering keyboard solo, which is too short by half. A little guitar parading introduces 'Hyperactive', this pacey Classic Rock-style piece. This one has attitude, with an angry-sounding Hammond roaring proud to a chugging guitar. Other synthesiser melodies make their presence known, and the vocals are more expressive and extrovert. A traditional piano opens 'Conceiving You'. A husky and at times slurred voice remains in place in this moderate contemplative reflection. What raises this track is the excellently simple guitar melodies towards the end.

A Hendrix-like Voodoo Chile-style guitar on 'Panic Room' is accompanied by mystical keyboards and clear, slicing Rock guitar. Everything suddenly stops and we hear the crowd noises, before the band kicks back in. This has a mystical feel. 'Under the Pillow' has a nice intro wherein guitar and keyboards meet to complement each other. I love the various keyboard sounds in this, along with the searing, but deep and meaty guitar. Another expressive solo from the six-string thing. Nice. 'The Depth of Self-Delusion' opens with a bass riff and Shine On You Crazy Diamond-like opening guitar. I’m impressed by the full, deep sound of this, which is soared above by a squeaky, twitchy guitar. One of the heaviest tracks so far. This has real atmosphere. 'Saturate Me' has a jaunty beginning which turns into a riff. Although this is heavy in places, the constantly changing beat and freeform style is too close to Progressive Rock or Jazz for my liking.

'Egoist Hedonist' (nice title) has a smooth, almost orchestral opening with plenty of feeling. A repeating riff and flat singing is quite dull, until it suddenly comes to life. This one pays (unknowing?) homage to Emerson, Lake & Palmer, particularly in the heavy chugging chorus parts. The very heavy ending is just what the doctor ordered. 'We Got Used to Us' is a ballad to a piano, and the guitar which breaks in and out with basically the same melody. 'Escalator Shrine' invites shrieking and a cacophony of sound, before going for keyboard atmosphere. This more than outstays its welcome. However, just as I’m becoming bored with the whole piece – which is 20 minutes long, after all – we reach the halfway point and everything changes. We suddenly charge off in a direction of classic aforementioned bands. The superb Hammond solos to a heavy sound which is undoubtedly Deep Purple – even sounding like the ending instrumental to 'Pictures of Home'. It then segues into Emerson, Lake & Palmer territory with a 'Tarkus'-like break. Unfortunately, this is short-lived. But a nice track in parts. 'The Same River' carries us on a keyboard wave into a nice backing but weird guitar at odds with the rest. This one is quite Proggy, but Prog Metal, at least. The heavy sound is maintained. We finish with 'Found', which has a contemplative start, but it turns into Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb in all but name. Nice guitar in the middle though.

Although I’m not normally keen on the Prog style (there is handful of exceptions) I’m very impressed by this set of live songs. Of course, you can’t have everything, and I think a couple of these tracks are far too long – which is pretty much the tradition for Prog, I suppose. I’ve somehow managed to allow Riverside to pass me by all these years, as my tastes are somewhat heavier, but I’m very pleased that I have finally come across some material in the ideal forum.

9

Ty Power