CMX - Mesmeria (2015)

If you're not a Finnish reader, then I'm 99% sure you haven't heard of CMX, as their lyrics are in Finnish and they're not really known outside of Finland. CMX is a prog/art rock band that's been around since 1985, exploring various different styles and influences over the years, such as hardcore, 70s prog, metal, pop, folk, industrial and alternative rock (you can read more on Wikipedia). Mesmeria, released in January, is the 15th full-length CMX album, so how does it compare to their previous work?

First of all, this is the first album to feature drummer Olli-Matti Wahlström as a full-time member, as well as the first album in over 10 years not produced by the band's longtime working partner Rauli "Rake" Eskolin. Instead the band hired Arto Tuunela of the band Pariisin Kevät to handle the production duties. The difference can be heard immediately, as the sound of the album is a lot more organic and warm compared to the cold and clinical production of Seitsentahokas (2013).

In the new millennium CMX has typically followed up a complex and progressive album with a more accessible and straightforward record. This tradition continues with Mesmeria, as its songs are more melodic and radio friendly than those on Seitsentahokas. As a fan of CMX's prog side I'm glad the album isn't as safe and boring as Iäti (2010): there are some time signature changes in "Valles Marineris", and the album closer "Eksopaleoklimatologi" (what a monster of a song title!) is over seven minutes long.

The material on Mesmeria sees the band trying new things and going beyond its comfort zone. The best example of this is the song "Teräs", which is a piano ballad with personal lyrics about bassist/vocalist A.W. Yrjänä's youth in the northern town of Tornio. The man - who is best known for his complex and mystic lyrics - has rarely, if ever, written anything this straightforward and simple. Opening track and lead single "Rakkaudessa ja sodassa" brings in The Who influences with its keyboard arpeggios, and "Kauneuden pitkä varjo" is another synth-driven song. Then there's also the atmospheric and hypnotic "Tulisaarna", which is probably the closest CMX has ever got to post-rock.

However, there's also plenty of traditional CMX on the album: Yrjänä was actually hesitant about the inclusion of "Laavaa", saying it "sounds too much like CMX", but since then it's been released as a single and has gained plenty of radio airplay in Finland, so the decision was not a bad one. The aggressive "Mestarirakentaja" revisits CMX's roots, and the acoustic ballad "Ojai" is an old song, having been written in 1992 together with a couple of classic CMX songs. My favorite is the riff-driven hard rock song "Hyperborea", which has been the opener for most of the band's shows this year (including the one I attended in Tampere back in March).

Mesmeria is one of the most even albums in the CMX discography, for better or worse. None of the songs are filler per se, but few of them stick out as potential classics, which is why I consider it a middle of the pack album. However, it's a step up from the previous two records, and I can see the band doing some very interesting things on their next prog album if they continue working with Tuunela.

Rating: 3.5/5