Review Summary: When Seasons Change blends Post-Rock, Hardcore, Progressive Rock, Jazz, and Ambient influences all together into one pleasant yet slightly flawed package made by 3 high school students.
1 of 2 thought this review was well writtenIn today's world anyone can make an album. As long as you have instruments and a computer with some sort of means of recording, almost anything can be possible. Many musicians have gained a sense of internet fame for making their own "Bedroom Recordings" most notably Misha Mansoor AKA The Bulb, but there are thousands if not more musicians doing the same thing at virtually any age group spanning many genres of music. In this case, 16 year old Jerrad Williams, a native of my own country, Denmark, took the ethic of artists like Bulb and made an LP with 16 year olds Blair Cooley and Darren Pettrey.
The album is a collection of 6 songs that spans many genres. Although the most prevalent genres are Hardcore and Metal, there is also a prominent Post-Rock influence as well as many other styles being displayed. When Seasons Change is mostly an instrumental output with the exception of a couple of lines in the self titled track which are in Danish. On of the flaws to most of these songs they sound like they were written with the intent of vocals being added but were scrapped at the last minute. This so evident in the opening song. Many of the songs feature a Cello Bow which builds a thick and almost uncertain atmosphere which definitely adds to many of the songs which is best displayed in the breakdown at the end of "End Of Line" where the Bowed Guitar resembles a nuclear siren going off. It also brings in a mystical quality to many moments as in the intro to the title track.
When Seasons Change also dabbles in experimentation. It never restricts itself to one genre. There are moments that are very apocalyptic in nature as there are enough moments of beauty to even the score. Jerrad shows massive potential as a lead guitarist with the 8 Finger Tapped riffs in the song "Underground Flight" which are in the same vein as Scale The Summit and Cynic. There are also Meshuggah esque riffs to be found as well. Although the guitar is the main focus in many songs there are songs that are based completely around ambiance such as "Reykjavik".
The best songs that are featured here are without a doubt "End Of Line", "When Seasons Change" and "Circles". End Of Line starts with a sample of a famous scene in Pulp Fiction as guitars and bowed bass guitar build in intensity and when the gun is heard the song explodes into a symphonic metal breakdown. Cello Bows and Strings are very prominent as well as Piano. This song features some of the most fluid songwriting this record has to offer. When Seasons Change is a more melodic piece which kicks off almost like a Dredg song. A very delayed part with Bowed Guitar is played as a very beautiful guitar solo is introduced. The song stays within a major key throughout the entire song and eventually goes into a part with a choir. The closer "Circles" is by far the most intense song on the record. It is a truly amazing Post-Metal song. It builds off of repetition and starts very calm and quiet but keeps building until its climax. Truly amazing song.
This may have some obvious flaws mainly concerning production and the programmed drums but this is an overall excellent listening experience. This is one CD that will appeal to many audiences. I am very interested to see how this band evolves in the future.
Pros:
-Excellent Songwriting
-Explores many different genres
-Outstanding Musicianship
-Very Original Sound
Cons:
-Production isn’t very good
-Programmed Drums
-Songs can seem unstructured in some parts
(This is my first review at this site. Any criticism is welcome and needed)
Album Stream:
www.myspace.com/zurichband2007
