Riverside is a Polish progressive rock band from Warsaw. It was founded in 2001 by guitarist Piotr Grudziński; drummer Piotr Kozieradzki; bassist and vocalist Mariusz Duda; and keyboardist Jacek Melnicki. Melnicki was replaced by Michał Łapaj in 2003. Grudziński died in 2016, and guitarist Maciej Meller joined the band in 2020. As of 2026, they have released eight studio albums, three EPs, four live records, and three compilations, as well as a number of singles. In April 2026, Duda and Meller announced their departure from the band.
History Beginnings and Out of Myself Drummer Piotr "Mitloff" Kozieradzki had played with the death metal band Hate between 1990 and 2001, while guitarist Piotr Grudziński had been a member of Unnamed from 1993 until 2003. Together with keyboardist Jacek Melnicki and vocalist, bassist, and acoustic guitarist Mariusz Duda, they formed Riverside in 2001. Melnicki left in 2003 and was replaced by Michał Łapaj. The band's debut studio album, titled Out of Myself, was released later that year in Poland, and it came out a year later in the United States, with artwork by Travis Smith.
Voices in My Head and Second Life Syndrome Following their successful debut, Riverside issued the EP Voices in My Head in 2005 and followed it with their second full-length album, Second Life Syndrome, released under Inside Out Music later that year. It reached number 62 on Prog Archivess top 100 prog albums.
Rapid Eye Movement and Lunatic Soul In October 2007, Riverside issued the album Rapid Eye Movement, once again under InsideOut. A year later, Duda launched his solo project, Lunatic Soul.
Anno Domini High Definition and Memories in My Head
The band's next album was Anno Domini High Definition, released by Mystic Production in 2009. It became the best-selling record in Poland during its second week on the charts, following a debut in sixth place. Riverside issued the EP Memories in My Head in 2011.
Shrine of New Generation Slaves In 2013, the band published their fifth full-length album, Shrine of New Generation Slaves.
Love, Fear and the Time Machine, Eye of the Soundscape, and death of Grudziński Their sixth album, Love, Fear and the Time Machine, came out in 2015 and reached higher peak sales outside Poland than their previous records.
On 21 February 2016, guitarist Piotr Grudziński died of sudden cardiac arrest. Riverside subsequently announced the cancellation of scheduled tour dates.
On 10 March, the band announced that a new album, a compilation of ambient and instrumental pieces, was in progress. On 21 August, the record was announced to be titled Eye of the Soundscape, and it came out on 21 October.
On 23 September, Riverside announced that they would not immediately replace Grudziński and would instead continue as a trio. On 22 February 2017, Maciej Meller (Quidam) was revealed to be the band's new touring guitarist.
Wasteland In September 2018, Riverside released their seventh album, and their first without Grudziński, titled Wasteland. On 3 February 2020, they announced that Meller had joined the band in an official capacity and would be involved in the writing sessions for their eighth album.
ID.Entity, Live ID. In January 2023, Riverside issued ID.Entity, which was followed by a live recording titled Live ID., in 2025.
Duda and Meller departures
In April 2026, vocalist, bassist, and main songwriter Mariusz Duda stated on social media that he would be leaving Riverside after 25 years, due to the band's internal dynamics. Following that statement, guitarist Maciej Meller also announced his departure, citing an inability to continue without Mariusz.
Band members
Current Piotr Kozieradzki – drums, percussion (2001–present) Michał Łapaj – keyboards, backing vocals (2003–present)
Past Mariusz Duda – lead vocals, bass, acoustic guitar (2001–2026); guitars (2016–2020) Piotr Grudziński – guitars (2001–2016; died 2016) Maciej Meller – guitars (2020–2026; touring member 2017–2020) Jacek Melnicki – keyboards (2001–2003)
Timeline
Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications(sales thresholds)POLPeak chart positions in Poland: Second Life Syndrome: Rapid Eye Movement: Anno Domini High Definition: Shrine of New Generation Slaves: Love, Fear and the Time Machine: Wasteland: ID.Entity: BEL (FL)BEL (WA)FINGERNLDSWIUKOut of Myself Released: 15 December 2003 Label: Laser's Edge, Mystic Production Formats: CD, LP, DD — — — — 13 — — —Second Life Syndrome Released: 31 October 2005 Label: InsideOut, Mystic Production Formats: CD, LP, DD 22 — — — — — — —Rapid Eye Movement Released: 24 September 2007 Label: InsideOut, Mystic Production Formats: CD, LP, DD 2 — — — — 73 — —Anno Domini High Definition Released: 19 June 2009 Label: InsideOut, Mystic Production Formats: CD, CD+DVD, LP, DD 1 — — — 94 58 — — POL: GoldShrine of New Generation Slaves Released: 18 January 2013 Label: InsideOut, Mystic Production Formats: CD, LP, DD 2 130 109 41 33 28 51 — POL: Gold Love, Fear and the Time Machine Released: 4 September 2015 Label: InsideOut, Mystic Production Formats: CD, LP, DD 2 73 51 25 18 4 31 67 POL: Gold Wasteland Released: 28 September 2018 Label: InsideOut, Mystic Production Formats: CD, LP, DD 1 111 79 23 13 28 30 83 POL: Gold ID.Entity Released: 20 January 2023 Label: InsideOut, Mystic Production Formats: CD, LP, DD 2 125 87 14 4 9 6 89 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. Notes:
EPs Title DetailsVoices in My Head Released: 7 March 2005 Label: Rock Serwis Formats: CD, digital downloadMemories in My Head Released: 20 June 2011 Label: ProgTeam Formats: CD, LP, digital downloadAcoustic Session Released: 29 November 2019 Label: Inside Out Music Formats: LP, digital download
Live albums Title Album detailsReality Dream Released: 26 November 2008 Label: InsideOut/Mystic Production Formats: 2 CD, 2 LPLost 'n' Found – Live in Tilburg Released: 20 April 2017 Label: Self-released Formats: 2 CD, 3 LP, 2 CD+DVDWasteland Tour 2018–2020 Released: 1 December 2020 Label: Vintage Vinyl Formats: 2 CD+DVD+BDLive ID Released: 24 January 2025 Label: Inside Out Music Formats:
Compilations Title Album details Peak chart positionsPOLPeak chart positions in Poland: Eye of the Soundscape: BEL (FL)BEL (WA)GERNLDSWI Reality Dream Trilogy Released: 5 September 2011 Label: Mystic Production Format: 6 CD — — — — — — Eye of the Soundscape Released: 21 October 2016 Label: InsideOutMusic Format: CD, LP, DD 4 122 112 69 60 92 Riverside 20 – The Shorts & the Longs Released: 19 November 2021 Label: InsideOutMusic Format: DD, 4 CD — — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Video albums Title Album details Peak chart positionsFINReality Dream Released: 14 December 2009 Label: ProgTeam Format: DVD 8
Singles Year Title Certifications(sales thresholds) Album2003"Loose Heart"Out of Myself2005"Conceiving You"Second Life Syndrome2007"02 Panic Room" POL: GoldRapid Eye Movement2008"Schizophrenic Prayer"2013"Celebrity Touch"Shrine of New Generation Slaves2016"Shine/Time Travellers"Eye of the SoundscapeLove, Fear and the Time Machine2018"Vale of Tears"Wasteland"River Down Below""Lament"2021"Story of My Dream" Riverside 20 – The Shorts & the Longs2022"I'm Done with You"ID.Entity"Self-Aware"2023"Friend or Foe?"
References
External links