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)
Risin' Out of the Loop
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
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 lyrics of Celestial Season's song Risin' Out of the Loop suggest a feeling of freedom and empowerment. The singer expresses their urge and soul to go, indicating a desire to break free from the mundanity of their current situation. They also mention having the means to pursue this desire, with the line "I've got the green for my juice-ride," which could refer to having money for a fun excursion or possibly even drugs. The following line, "spent time in sad machines," contradicts this notion of freedom and hints at the singer's past struggles with depression or addiction.
Despite these challenges, the singer is determined to keep running and not look back. The line "running with my head" emphasizes their focus and determination in pursuing their goals. The mention of the clock going dead at zero-zero suggests that the singer is living outside of normal time constraints and is unconcerned with conventional societal expectations. Finally, the mention of a "freakshow" at the end of the song suggests that the singer may be seeking out unconventional and non-conformist experiences.
Overall, the lyrics of Risin' Out of the Loop present a complex mix of feelings related to the desire for freedom and empowerment, struggles with past difficulties, and a desire to push boundaries and explore unconventional experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the urge and soul to go
I have the burning desire and optimism to explore further and keep moving forward.
I've got the green for my juice-ride
I am financially and mentally equipped to enjoy a refreshing, revitalizing journey.
spent time in sad machines
I have endured tough times and challenging situations, which have left me feeling unhappy and dejected.
I've got my kicks on Orleans time
I am experiencing the exciting and vibrant atmosphere of the bustling city of New Orleans.
the clock went dead at zero-zero
Time seems to have ceased to exist or matter in the surreal environment I find myself in.
the crowd went dead at dawn
The lively and energetic people around me have lost their enthusiasm and energy with the change in day.
running with my head
I am fully focused and determined in my pursuit of my goals.
you got a million miles to run, you got a million miles to go
The journey ahead will be extensive and challenging, but it is necessary to achieve your desired outcome.
to get a ticket for the freakshow
In order to experience the strange and unusual, you must embrace the unfamiliar and take risks.
Contributed by Amelia W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LordNothing
well, I like this song as well as the music subgenre, but back in the middle of the 90s, a lot of great metal bands start to softer their music (most of them to pity), so when i knew that Celestial was in the same boat, i refused to listen to them after solar lovers to avoid a "dissapointment" (back in the days you have to buy the album or tape/Cd trading or recording, so it was a little bit more difficult to listen to new music). Conclusion: Not a dissapointment, but it wasn't a "lost".