The career of Holland's Celestial Season was characterized by two very dist… Read Full Bio ↴The career of Holland's Celestial Season was characterized by two very distinct stylistic phases, as the group started out life as a somber, epic-minded doom metal band, then shifted gears a few years later to conclude its existence as a groovier, rock-based stoner group. This might seem like a minor difference upon first glance, but one listen to the group's first and final albums reveals just how much wiggle room actually exists between the further reaches of these two sister genres.

Inspired by the work of doom metal giants such as Candlemass and Saint Vitus, Celestial Season formed in 1991 and initially featured vocalist Stefan Ruiters, guitarists Robert Ruiters and Jeroen Haverkamp, bassist Lucas van Slegtenhorst, and drummer Jason "Bong-Ra" Kohnen. The "Promises" demo and Flowerskin EP from 1992 set the stage for their independent debut of the following year, Forever Scarlet Passion, which boasted competent if rather unadventurous pure doom metal.

The similarly slothful and depressing Solar Lovers album from 1995 would redress this issue somewhat, enriching the band's sound with the addition of full-fledged violin arrangements, courtesy of Jiska ter Bals and Maaike Aarts. Guitarist Pim van Zanen and guitarist/bassist Olly Smit had replaced Haverkamp and van Slegtenhorst for this release (which was supported by a European tour with countrymen the Gathering), but before the year was out, Celestial Season would undergo a drastic metamorphosis with the arrival of new singer Cyril Crutz and the transitional Sonic Orb EP.

Inspired by the new gospel being preached by California desert stoner rock combos such as Masters of Reality, Fu Manchu, and especially Kyuss, the group was soon stripped down to the bare-bones quartet of Crutz, van Zanen, Smit, and Kohnen for the recording of 1997's brusque creative facelift, Orange. Signifying a virtual product relaunch of Celestial Season Mark II, the album delivered a surprisingly convincing "California desert party" feel, considering it was coming from a Dutch band. But with the subsequent departure of last remaining original member Kohnen (replaced by former Kong drummer Rob Snijders), there was no denying that Celestial Season had effectively become an entirely new group. This lineup, plus new bassist Jacques de Haard, carried on for three further releases of pounding stoner rock, namely 1999's Chrome (which led to appearances at the Dynamo and Roadburn festivals), 2000's Lunchbox Dialogues, and 2001's Songs from the Second Floor EP, before calling it quits, claiming that the band's musical quest had been "fulfilled."

MEMBERS
Last line-up

* Cyril Crutz (1995 - 2001) - Vocals (also drums 1996-99)
* Rob Snijders (1999 - 2001) - Drums (see also Agua de Annique, Kong, Garcia Plays Kyuss)
* Olly Smit - (1994 - 2001) - Guitar (Bass 1994 - 95 )
* Pim Van Zanen (1994 - 2001) - Guitar
* Jacques de Haard (1999 - 2001) - Bass (see also Agua De Annique, Garcia Plays Kyuss)

Former members

* Stefan Ruiters (1991 - 95) - Vocals
* Jason Kohnen (1991 - 97) - Drums (Bass 1996 - 97) (see also Bong-Ra)
* Robert Ruiters (1991 - 96) - Guitars
* Jiska ter Bals (1994 - 95) - Violins
* Maaike Aarts (1995) - Violins
* Jeroen Haverkamp (1991 - 93) - Guitars
* Lucas van Slegtenhorst (1991 - 93) - Bass

Session musicians

* Edith Mathot - Violin on "Forever Scarlet Passion".
* Sylvester Piyel - Keyboards on "Forever Scarlet Passion".
* Atie Aarts - Cello on "Solar Lovers".
* Lex Vogelaar - Vocals on "Solar Lovers"

Discography

* Promises (Demo, 1992)
* "Flowerskin" (Single, 1993)
* Forever Scarlet Passion (1993)
* Fire in the winter/Above azure oceans (Split with Lords of the Stone, 1994)
* Promo 1994 (Demo, 1994)
* Solar Lovers (1995)
* Sonic Orb (EP, 1995)
* 3 Track Demo (Demo, 1996)
* "Black Queen is Dynamite" (Single, 1997)
* Orange (1997)
* Demo '99 (Demo, 1999)
* Chrome (1999)
* Lunchbox Dialogues (2000)
* Songs from the Second Floor (EP, 2001)

Black Queen Is Dynamite
Celestial Season Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Common baby touch the screen
Come through the screen of my old black and white TV
I can't taste this
I can't let you

Are you walking alone?
Is it all in your rigid head?
All this madness you drag

Now you're totally grown
But the storm in your weary head
Fills the room that is not for two
Not for you
Not for your eyes boy

Are you walking alone?

Is it all in your rigid head?
All this madness your drag

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Celestial Season's song "Black Queen Is Dynamite" seem to confront the listener with a sense of isolation and confusion. The singer seems to be speaking to someone through the screen of an old black and white TV, invoking a sense of distance and disconnect. The lines "I can't taste this / I can't let you" further underscore a sense of anxiety and an inability to connect.

The second verse seems to address the listener directly, asking if they are "walking alone" and whether the madness they carry is all in their "rigid head". The use of the word "rigid" highlights a sense of inflexibility and unwillingness to change or adapt. The lyrics suggest a struggle with internal demons that pervade the listener's thoughts and affect their behavior.

The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the sense of despair and loneliness that is present. The lyrics suggest that the room is not "for two" and not "for your eyes boy", which can be interpreted as an admonishment to the listener to confront their own problems and not to rely on others for comfort or support.

Overall, the lyrics of "Black Queen Is Dynamite" seem to present a bleak and introspective look at the human experience, highlighting the sense of isolation and confusion that can plague us all at times.

Line by Line Meaning

Common baby touch the screen
Addressing someone to interact or respond remotely through a digital interface.

Come through the screen of my old black and white TV
Inviting someone to project or express themselves through an outdated medium that is nostalgic or reminiscent of a bygone era.

I can't taste this
Being emotionally numb or desensitized to something that would otherwise cause an intense or visceral reaction.

I can't let you
Resisting or blocking someone from getting too close or exerting influence in a situation.

Are you walking alone?
Questioning someone's independence or isolation, whether physically or emotionally.

Is it all in your rigid head?
Suggesting that someone's thoughts or perceptions may be inflexible, limiting or causing unnecessary tension.

All this madness you drag
Referencing the emotional baggage or negative energy that someone carries around and projects onto others.

Now you're totally grown
Acknowledging someone's maturity or independence, but also implying a sense of detachment or distance as a result.

But the storm in your weary head
Referring to the mental turmoil or distress that someone is experiencing, which may be overwhelming or oppressive.

Fills the room that is not for two
The emotional weight or tension that one person is bringing to a situation is creating an uncomfortable atmosphere or dynamic for others to inhabit or share.

Not for you
Making it clear that someone is not welcome or included in a space or interaction, for various reasons.

Not for your eyes boy
Stressing the importance of discretion or privacy in a situation, and warning someone not to pry or invade another's personal space.

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: CYRIL CRUTZ, JASON KOHNEN, OLAF SMIT, PIM VAN ZANEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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