From the moment I opened the package from Seasons Of The Wolf and saw this:
I knew Seasons Of The Wolf had put a lot of thought and time into every aspect of their music. They obviously spent a lot of effort on the graphics just for the beginning of a press kit for their next CD. SOTW is not taking for granted any part of the process of making it in the music business.
Seasons Of The Wolf members also aren't taking any chances. They registered with ASCAP and had their CD manufactured by Discmakers. I'm not completely sold on ASCAP myself because I want complete control of my recordings, but the money ASCAP can bring from a popular recording is worth it for most bands. Apparently, ASCAP was worth signing up for with SOTW.
The band decided to spend the extra money to go with the industry masters with the most experience, Discmakers. For those who can afford Discmakers, it is definitely worth the money. As part of being prepared with Discmakers, they have a barcode on their CDs for easier tracking.
Going with Discmakers certainly has worked for Seasons Of The Wolf.
The cover, though black and white, is very graphical as well, and probably
represents the mood and music better in black and white anyhow.
As I open the cover to the press kit, I read and I see a brief biography of the band. It reads:
SOTW began in October 1988 with Barry Waddell, Wes Waddell, and Dennis Ristow as founding members, but was not completely developed into a working act until July 1994. Phaedria Rubio joined up in late '91 and Wayne Hoefle joined in late '94. So that is where the story really begins with recordings and live shows. After finally getting the first EP length CD packaged and released on a small scale in 1996, SOTW has achieved world wide recognition on their own without the support of an outside label and distribution company. By networking with several small underground distro's and metal 'zines throughout the world and establishing three web sites, SOTW has gained over 5000 true fans who have purchased the first self titled CD. Approximately 200 radio stations have been serviced with the current CD and several of those stations have SOTW songs "Victim of Darkness" and "October Moon" added to their play lists. Most of these stations are in the New England States and in Europe. In the fall of 1998 SOTW will release a new full-length album titled "Lost In Hell" and will market it to over 500 loud rock radio stations in the US and Canada through their own label "Earth Mother Music."
That's quite an impressive accomplishment for any band. The hard work they have put into the business aspect of their music has really paid off, just like it should.
Of course, they didn't forget the most important part, the quality of the music itself. They beginning the album very smoothly, and immediately the listener is lured into their dark world. Once the music has really sunk in, they begin with the vocals and the lyrics. Vocally, there is an edge like any hard rock/heavy metal vocals, but unlike most vocals in metal bands, they are done just right. You can feel the angst and pain in the vocals without causing angst and pain to your ears. Musically, they combine traditional metal instruments, such as guitar and drums, with technology via a keyboard. The integration of the keyboard with the traditional instruments is best heard at the beginning of "Misty Shades of Green." You can hear the integration by clicking on the songtitle from the image below. The song is not only well done musically, but it's lyrics are very metaphorical and deep. I'll leave it up to the listener as to the meaning of the song, but I will reveal that the imagery invokes an emotional and thoughtful response like all really good songs do. As opposed to "Misty Shades of Green," which starts with the keyboard and then integrates traditional metal instruments, "Long Cold Winter," starts with traditional metal instruments and then integrates the synthesizer. Like "Misty Shades of Green," and every other song on the CD, the music and vocals are of high quality. Also like "Misty Shades of Green," the images invoked by "Long Cold Winter," are vivid, and you can definitely feel the agony suffered by the singer. If you are interested in hearing any of the EP, please click on the songtitle of the song you want to hear below. The soundclips are all approximately 30 seconds each.
One last note about Seasons Of The Wolf. They have even released a video in VHS format. While the video is not as impressive as the rest of Seasons Of The Wolf, it does display their onstage presence, and their ability to integrate traditional metal instruments, and the more technologically advanced synthesizer. You can learn more about the band by going to their website at http://members.aol.com/bloodtree
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