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)
Dive
Celestial Season Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got the green for my juice-ride
spent time in sad machines
I've got my kicks on Orleans time
the clock went dead at zero-zero
the crowd went dead at dawn
running with my head
you got a million miles to run, you got a million miles to go
to get a ticket for the freakshow
running with my head
The opening lines of Celestial Season's "Dive" paint a picture of a restless narrator, someone with "the urge and soul to go" who may have been stuck or mired in something resembling "sad machines" for a time. They've got the money to make their escape, though, referencing "green for my juice-ride" -- perhaps a nod to the popular notion of juicing as a health craze, or maybe just an eccentric turn of phrase. Either way, the singer seems to feel energized and ready to take on something new.
As the song continues, we hear about the singer's experiences in New Orleans, where they seem to have really cut loose: "I've got my kicks on Orleans time" gives the impression of a city that runs on its own schedule, where anything can happen. The phrase "the crowd went dead at dawn" is a bit more cryptic, but it suggests a sense of excess or abandon that comes with the territory. All of this feeds into the refrain, where the singer reminds themselves (and perhaps their listeners) that there's a lot of work to do in order to really live it up: "you got a million miles to run, you got a million miles to go / to get a ticket for the freakshow".
Taken together, "Dive" portrays a person who is looking for some kind of transformation, an escape from the mundane or the oppressive. They may not quite know what they're looking for, but they're willing to "run with their head" and see where it takes them. The song uses sensory details and vivid language to create a sense of place and mood -- from the colors of the money to the sound of dead silence -- that draws the listener in and helps us imagine what it might be like to take that dive ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the urge and soul to go
I have a strong desire and enthusiasm to leave and explore new things.
I've got the green for my juice-ride
I have enough money to finance my adventure, which will hopefully energize me.
spent time in sad machines
I've been in situations, probably in urban life or in a depressing job, which I've found to be soulless and saddening.
I've got my kicks on Orleans time
Orleans time is slang for partying and having fun. So, I'm having fun with wild activities and adventures.
the clock went dead at zero-zero
Time is no longer a factor that affects my journey, and I'm not concerned by the passing of time.
the crowd went dead at dawn
Taking cues from the time, the crowd had to retire after the party, but I'm determined to continue my search for fun.
running with my head
I'm racing ahead with determination, despite any potential setbacks.
you got a million miles to run, you got a million miles to go
There are endless opportunities in life, and there's always a long road ahead to explore. Keep your head up when you feel lost or aimless.
to get a ticket for the freakshow
Life itself is often a show filled with unusual and unpredictable events. If you grab that ticket and participate fully, you can get on board and enjoy the ride fully.
Contributed by Lila L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Martin Hertog
I know Celestial Season for over 20 years but this album is a guilty pleasure, haha. I found it yesterday and listened to it three times so far.
Jörgen Norberg
Classyc. So glad I find it. CD got stolen. In my opinion it is one of the best stoner albums of all time.
Claudio Ruiz
I love the álbum I was the expecting something else but when I found out it was great
Monark Sørgende Mørkeånd
Great album! Greetings to all members of the band, past & present.
Marie Van Belleghem
Wow, my favorite song is Warp Speed to Vulcan !! Very Kyuss !
Claudio Ruiz
Great I enjoy the whole álbum yea
Jorge Leitner
This album is really great. I don't see how this didn't explode.
Jorge Leitner
@Thė Nīnth Hært Hahaha, I don't. What do you think of the vocalist from Kyuss?
Jorge Leitner
@Thė Nīnth Hært I actually like them.
ibuprofeno400
Great album, killer riffs...