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)
Salamandra
Celestial Season Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and wipe out the neutral zone
cause were heading for Zula I
to embrace the silver shining
did you refill your lasers
and break through the cosmic tones
and bring all the stardust home
and that's OK 'cause
it's allright, we've got the sunlight
rocket to vulcan is launched tonight
I'd like to feel the burning chrome
it's allright, we've got the sunlight
rocket to vulcan is launched tonight
I'd like to see you coming home
did you swallow your ego
and rejoined the devils show
if you want it than make it so
but I just wanted you to go, go, go
did you refill your body
and blow up the fuel inside
break through the solar light
'cause your the only one and the only son
and that's OK 'cause
it's allright, we've got the sunlight
rocket to vulcan is launched tonight
I'd like to feel the burning chrome
it's allright, we've got the sunlight
rocket to vulcan is launched tonight
I'd like to see you coming home
The lyrics of Celestial Season's 'Salamandra' appear to be about a journey to a distant planet, possibly in a sci-fi setting. The singer speaks to someone who seems to be a skilled astronaut, asking if they are prepared for the journey ahead. There are references to 'phasers' and 'lasers', indicating that the journey may involve some form of combat. The mention of 'Zula I' and 'Vulcan' add to the impression of a space voyage to a planet far from Earth.
The lyrics also touch on themes of loneliness and isolation. The singer seems to be the only one who can make the journey, presumably leaving behind loved ones on Earth. The repetition of the phrase 'you're the only one and the only son' reinforces the idea of the singer being alone. The desire to 'see you coming home' suggests that the singer is hopeful of a safe return, despite the dangers inherent in space travel.
The chorus of the song appears to be a reflection of the singer's excitement about the journey. The repetition of the phrase 'it's allright' implies that the singer is confident and ready for whatever lies ahead. The mention of 'burning chrome' and 'rocket to vulcan' adds to the sense of adventure and excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you reload your phasers
Did you prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead?
and wipe out the neutral zone
Did you eliminate any potential obstacles?
cause were heading for Zula I
Because we're on our way to our destination, Zula I.
to embrace the silver shining
To bask in the beauty of the silver shining object.
did you refill your lasers
Did you replenish your energy for the journey?
and break through the cosmic tones
Did you overcome any hindrances to your journey?
and bring all the stardust home
Did you return with all the valuable materials needed?
cause you're the only one and the only son
Because you are unique and irreplaceable.
and that's OK 'cause
And it's perfectly fine.
it's allright, we've got the sunlight
Everything will be fine, we have the sunshine.
rocket to vulcan is launched tonight
Our spacecraft will launch tonight, destined for Vulcan.
I'd like to feel the burning chrome
I want to experience the intense heat of the spacecraft's engines.
I'd like to see you coming home
I would love to see you return home safely.
did you swallow your ego
Did you put aside your pride?
and rejoined the devils show
And joined the dangerous mission.
if you want it than make it so
If you're determined, go ahead and achieve it.
but I just wanted you to go, go, go
But I only wanted you to pursue your dreams with no hesitation.
did you refill your body
Did you take care of yourself and stay nourished during the journey?
and blow up the fuel inside
Did you consume the energy needed to reach your destination?
break through the solar light
Did you overcome the challenges posed by the solar light?
'cause your the only one and the only son
Because you are the unique and irreplaceable individual who can complete the mission.
Contributed by Alex V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.