Rapid Eye Movement
Riverside · 2007
70 min · 12 tracks · progressive metal
A cerebral blend of progressive rock and metal, weaving intricate melodies with existential themes and immersive soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Beyond the Eyelids Start here — The opening track sets a haunting tone with its atmospheric build-up and reflective lyrics, encapsulating the album's overarching themes of introspection and perception.
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Schizophrenic Prayer — This track showcases a dynamic interplay of heavy riffs and melodic passages, illustrating Riverside's signature blend of aggression and melody while exploring complex emotional states.
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Ultimate Trip — As the album's longest track, it serves as a sprawling journey through layered instrumentation and philosophical lyrics, culminating in an evocative climax that epitomizes the band's essence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and strong production, appealing to fans of progressive metal.
What we noticed
- The album features extended tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for complex arrangements and thematic development.
- Multiple tracks incorporate shifts in tempo and dynamics, often transitioning from heavy riffs to softer, atmospheric sections.
- The lyrics explore existential themes, with a focus on introspection and psychological states, which are mirrored in the music's intricate structures.
- 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
- wave-like pacing that ebbs
- haunting melodies for deep focus
- dynamic exploration of soundscapes
- immersive journey through dreams
- cathartic peaks and valleys
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, catchy tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Well-received and praised by fans, solidifying Riverside's reputation in progressive rock.
- Themes
- cerebral exploration· perception of reality· schizophrenic states
- Career context
- Released on September 24, 2007, 'Rapid Eye Movement' is Riverside's fourth studio album, following their breakthrough record 'Second Life Syndrome'. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their identity within the progressive metal scene, gaining a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim for their earlier works.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Porcupine Tree· Opeth· Dream Theater
Tracklist
- 1 Beyond the Eyelids Start here 7:56
- 2 Rainbow Box 3:36
- 3 02 Panic Room 5:29
- 4 Schizophrenic Prayer 4:20
- 5 Parasomnia 8:10
- 6 Through the Other Side 4:05
- 7 Embryonic 4:10
- 8 Cybernetic Pillow 4:45
- 9 Ultimate Trip 13:23
- 10 Lucid Dream IV 4:33
- 11 Back to the River 6:29
- 12 02 Panic Room (remix) 3:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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