Seasons (2013)
Inspired by my progressive rock and classical roots, Seasons was my first true concept album and featured the usual four seasons, Winter, Spring, Autumn and Summer, with the addition of a post-apocalyptic ending suite, featuring a Nuclear Winter and the final days of humanity.
The album art was adapted from an original piece by my mother and chinese zodiac and folklore inspiration, featuring an animal to represent each season, and a diamond sky pattern interlinking the four. This album was one of the first on which I used Cubase to combine my guitar and synth work, as well as drum programming for a full band experience.
The album’s sound was inspired by prog rock bands such as Camel, Focus, Sky, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer as well as more modern and heavier influences like Opeth and Steven Wilson. The concept touches on political points which I would later revisit with Ghost Hall such as nuclear armageddon, and climate issues, as well as being somewhat cyclical with the sunrise and sunset theme bookending the album, which would be later revisited with ‘Sunday, Someday’ and ‘Up In The Sky’.
Although I had released albums before Seasons, it marked a turning point towards a more professional sound and full album concepts which I have carried forward into the present day. At some point, I might remaster and re-record this album, to make full use of my 9 years of experience after producing this album, but for now here it is in it’s original form.
Stream from Bandcamp below;
