(Progressive Metal) [CD] Scenery Channel - Premiere - 2006, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Most non-Dream Theater prog metal bands are accused of sounding like Dream Theater. For some bands, the accusations elude me unless I listen closely. But now, there is a new band on the block that no one would guess that they are prog influenced, let alone by Dream Theater.
Enter Scenery Channel. This Finnish band has been around since the late 90's, so they have had some time to grow as a band and hone their unique mix of prog rock, prog metal, dance, ambient, and even faint hints of pop. Has Dream Theater done techno? Well, yeah kinda, but not full-out like SC sometimes does on their debut album, "Premiere".
Now onto the songs. The album starts out atmospheric with "Overture 2015", which in its opening seconds showcases keyboardist Pasi Hiltula's skill, before descending into melodic prog metal bliss.
Second song "Awaken From A Dream" is a nice, heavy song, and introduces us to vocalist Mikko Lankinen, whose voice reminds of Coheed & Cambria vocalist Claudio Sanchez (though not as whiny and, well, emo-sounding). The songs lyrics are mildly frantic in their context.
"The Corridor" opens with an intro that showcases guitarist Tommi Inkilä's versatility and bassist Nipa Lahdenperä's head-banging basslines. The lyrics here are very frantic, and makes your heart pound.
Most prog metal bands don't have the tranditional and conventional love song. That's what the title track appears to be. Very poppy in its approach, with guitarist Tommi Inkilä playing what sounds like a 12-string guitar, while drummer Olli Jakola takes a breather from his usual drum patterns from the previous songs, and uses a more relaxing rhythm during the verses. I always imagine this song getting some radio airplay.
Now after the relaxed duration of "Premiere", "Prowled" is an instant kick in the ass. Back to business for the band. Now if the lyrics aren't enough, the musicians are frantically playing what is probably the heaviest song on the album. (Everything about the band is frantic isn't it?)
"Escape" is another insrumental which shows elements of the past songs, most notably "The Corridor". Very fast and melodic, and very top-notch drumming from Jakola. One of the best off of the album.
The longest song on the album, "Event That Changed Everything", is about 9 minutes long. And it fits the typical prog cliché that the longest song on the album is the best song on the album. It builds up from piano to melodic soft passages to metal driving forward for 9 minutes before calming back down to piano and fading away...
The next song is another love song. "First Rays Of Morning Light" is gentler than the title track, but you get the idea. It's mushy!
"Concrete" has an atmospheric opening opening from Hiltula and Lahdenperä. It abruptly changes to a mildly aggressive metal passage before coming back down to earth again into dark atmosphere.
This is the big surprise on the album. A TECHNO/DANCE SONG! (I actually like techno). This song is dominated by the Eurobeat synth-stylings of Pasi Hiltula. This is what you hear at a rave when you're rubbing up against really hot girls. Anyway I'm way off topic, this is a very good song for all of you open-minded people.
The final song "The Highest Floor" is (another) frantic song. This time it seems to be the culmination of some kind of concept that the album is based on (one that you will have to find out for yourself). It goes all out before abruptly stopping and doing one last dramatic outro, ending the song and the album with some brief and faint spoken word.
Definately recommended for all of you open-minded proggers out there.
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Mikko Lankinen - vocals
Tommi Inkilä - guitars
Pasi Hiltula - keyboards
Nipa Lahdenperä - bass
Olli Jakola - drums