Love, Fear and the Time Machine
Riverside · 2015
60 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal
A contemplative blend of progressive rock textures and introspective lyrics, exploring themes of existence and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Lost (Why Should I Be Frightened by a Hat?) Start here — Opening with a delicate piano motif that gradually builds into a powerful crescendo, this track encapsulates the album's exploration of fear and uncertainty.
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#Addicted — This track presents an infectious rhythm combined with poignant lyrics about dependency, showcasing Riverside's ability to blend catchy hooks with deeper emotional narratives.
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Discard Your Fear — Offering an uplifting message, this song features soaring melodies and dynamic shifts that create a sense of liberation, representing the album’s theme of overcoming inner struggles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends progressive rock elements with introspective lyrics, showcasing Riverside's evolution while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in dynamics, moving from quiet, introspective sections to heavier, more aggressive moments.
- The lyrics often reflect on existential themes, with a focus on personal introspection and emotional struggles, which are woven into the music's structure.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- atmospheric background focus
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — The album showcases a mature sound and lyrical depth, marking an artistic high point.
- Moods
- Introspective· Chill
- Career context
- Released on September 4, 2015, 'Love, Fear and the Time Machine' is Riverside's sixth studio album, following the 2013 release 'Shrine of New Generation Slaves'. At this stage in their career, the band had solidified their reputation in the progressive metal scene while also embracing more melodic elements and personal themes in their songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Porcupine Tree· Opeth· Dream Theater
Tracklist
- 1 Lost (Why Should I Be Frightened by a Hat?) Start here 5:51
- 2 Under the Pillow 6:47
- 3 #Addicted 4:52
- 4 Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire 6:56
- 5 Saturate Me 7:08
- 6 Afloat 3:11
- 7 Discard Your Fear 6:42
- 8 Towards the Blue Horizon 8:09
- 9 Time Travellers 6:41
- 10 Found (The Unexpected Flaw of Searching) 4:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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