(Progressive Metal) Scenes - Call Us At The Number You Provide - 2005, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

SceneS are not a new name on the scene. The German progressive metal band released a handful of demos since 1995 of which I remember at least 1 reaching our offices. I still know I told myself to remember their name back then, which I - it would be a shame at my young age not to – did.
While the band were in the process of recording their debut album we’re talking about here, they had to cope with a bizarre course of events. In 2002, Nektarios Bamiatzis, SceneS’ vocalist up to then, reached the 8th position in the final of Germany’s Pop Idol contest. As the guy’s popularity rose as a solo artist, he didn’t have much time left to invest in his old band, forcing him to quit in the end. The others, who were in the studio to record “Call Us At The Number You Provide” at that moment, weren’t intended to lose much time searching a replacement and immediately contacted ex-Spiral Tower and Powergod shouter and long time friend Alex Koch, funnily enough the band’s number one choice from the start.
On “Call Us At The Number You Provide” – original title by the way – can be heard why. Koch shows a totally different side of his voice than on his work with Powergod and Spiral Tower and nicely fits SceneS typically German progressive metal sound: crunching guitar riffs, swirling keyboard lines and a thick layer of suspense and subdued power. Especially opener “So (Father)”, the great “I Will Stay” and “Save The Light” are matching illustrations. “Such A Shame” is as well, but I found this cover of Talk Talk’s eighties hit rather unlucky, especially in the vocal department.
All in all, SceneS have delivered a fine, far above average debut album that will hopefully turn out to be only an indication of what they might be up to in the future. (SL)

Alex Koch - vocals
Nektarios Bamiatzis - vocals (3 & 7) Chris Lorey - guitars
Florian Wenzel - keyboards
Jan Ebert - bass
Hendrik Edelthalhammer - drums
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Dirk Thurisch and Markus Jürgens - additional vocals on 6
Micha Utz - guitar solo on 6