Scenery: Continuity

Released back in 2006 Continuity was the third album from Czech outfit Scenery, with their take on thrash metal with a slice of death metal growls, progressively slanted time changes and keyboards, proving interesting, if a touch unwieldy. Fusions of style are always a hit or miss affair, but across most of Continuity what is apparent is that time has been taken by Scenery to rein things in and focus on tight riffs, clever guitar interplay and keen vocal sparring. The former aspects arrive courtesy of guitarists Lerry and Michael, the pair crossing frets to good effect, while growler, grunter Peter (who also provides keys) goes up against guest melodic vocalist Peter Cerevka. Unfortunately neither truly shine with the throat shredding lacking any true character, instead being standard, flat fare that seldom fully meshes with the music. The clean vocals do improve matters, but too often they are lost in the mix and overwhelmed by galloping guitars and growls, and in truth there's not been quite enough care taken to ensure the clean vocals actually fit with their surroundings.

"Gate Into The Evolution" which segues into "Chains Of Existence" is a strong, bold and aggressive opening, clashing thrash infused guitars against blood curdling vocal mannerisms, smoother keyboards and, of course the twin vocals. However as you work your way through "Bells Of Eternity", "Twilight Of Antiquity" and "Changes Part II" what becomes apparent is that even with twin guitars and twin vocals, there simply isn't enough variety from song to song. By the time "Buried Under Moondust" comes along you are already beaten into submission, whether that be through fret melting solos, over enthusiastic drum drilling (from another "guest", Tomas "Kobdzey" Kasper) or unvarying vocals, meaning that when the end of the album comes into sight, it becomes a disappointingly welcome prospect. That said instrumental "Defeat" does allow the band, rounded out by bassist Mik who created this track, to lay down their most outlandish interplay in fine style, while "Evolution Mirror" uncovers a subtlety often lacking elsewhere.

Not a terrible release, Continuity simply falls in an area where countless other bands are doing it so much better and with a far greater clarity of focus. Unfortunately the attempt by Scenery to appeal to metal heads, progsters and even on the odd occasion fusioneers simply fails to hit the mark consistently enough to draw in any of those crowds with real success.

Track Listing
1. Gate into the Evolution (intro)
2. Chains of Existence
3. Bells of Eternity
4. Twilight of Antiquity
5. Behind Horizont
6. Changes, Part 2
7. Evolution Mirror
8. Defeat
9. Buried Under Moondust

Added: August 23rd 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Scenery on Bandzone
Hits: 1786
Language: english

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