The album is a sequel to Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper, a song from the band's 1992 album Images and Words. Scenes from a Memory greatly expands on the story and thematic concept originally presented in the song using narrative lyrics from the points of view of multiple characters interspersed with technically and rhythmically detailed music and instrumentals. An in-depth plot summary is available at the Other Wiki.