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)

Diabolo Cruiser Xl5
Celestial Season Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When the walls are coming down
and your balls are buried underground
with a mind out of reason and the roadkill in your mouth
but I just can't stop squeezing and I don't now why

and I'm feeling scared

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Celestial Season's song Diabolo Cruiser Xl5 allude to feeling trapped and overwhelmed by personal issues. The phrase "when the walls are coming down" can be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling like the world around you is crumbling. The line "your balls are buried underground" is a crude way of saying that the singer feels emasculated or powerless. This feeling is worsened by the fact that the singer's mind is not functioning properly ("a mind out of reason") and they feel like they're consuming something gross ("roadkill in your mouth"). Despite all of this, the singer continues to struggle and "just can't stop squeezing." The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the singer's helplessness and inability to find a way out of their troubles.

The last line, "and I'm feeling scared," provides the listener with a glimpse into the singer's emotional state. Despite their struggle, they seem to be afraid to confront their problems head-on. This could be interpreted as a manifestation of anxiety or even depression. The emotional depth and vulnerability of these lyrics make them relatable to anyone who has had moments of doubt or fear in their life.

Line by Line Meaning

When the walls are coming down
In a time of chaos and destruction

and your balls are buried underground
When you feel powerless and defeated

with a mind out of reason and the roadkill in your mouth
Feeling irrational and disgusted

but I just can't stop squeezing and I don't now why
Continuing a harmful habit without explanation

and I'm feeling scared
Feeling frightened and vulnerable

Contributed by Samantha B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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