Sons of Seasons

My blog entry this time is not easily being made: I am sorry to come up with the news that Luca Princiotta won’t be longer part of Sons Of Seasons. I had a long talk with him in Milano and we both agreed that it would be in the best interest for both sides to make that decision.

Luca is involved in many projects in his home country Italy, some of them are heavily built on his work. So dates clashing in the future couldn’t have been avoided. There is always the alternative of sub- musicians, but it is my intention to play with a stable line- up right from the start. At the beginning of 2007, when I founded Sons Of Seasons and asked Luca to be one of the first musicians involved, his situation was different and he wasn’t involved in so many projects. He has to, since it is so hard to survive as a musician nowadays, and only one band normally can’t carry you. But then the distance Germany (our “home base”, meeting & rehearsal place) - Italy suddenly becomes a big problem, especially regarding the rising prices for flights.

Luca is an outstanding musician and one of my best friends so this decision was a tough one. We will continue with four band members, while I am recording all of the guitars on ‘Gods Of Vermin’.

Oliver

You read it probably before: Sons Of Seasons’ first gig is confirmed for February 28th, 2009, in Kerkrade, South- Netherlands. We will play a double- headliner concert with our friends from the dutch Symphonic Metal band Xystus. Make sure you don’t miss this event!

I just returned from a 4 weeks tour through the USA with Kamelot. Now it’s almost time to return to Europe and finish the recordings for ‘Gods Of Vermin’. Before I will record an instructional video for keyboards, available Spring 2009.

We are also working on merchandise and posters. Some things might be delayed because we won’t put anything out before we’re not fully happy with the results.

Greetings,

Oliver

We finished the vocal recordings and are very confident about the results. Henning proved that he’s one of the most powerful singers in the metal world and went new ways to expand his personal style. People who know him from other recordings will be surprised, no doubt!

Bass, guitar and keyboard recordings will happen within the upcoming two months. I hope we can get some video material together to show you guys how it works. Problem this time is that the recordings are not happening within a clearly defined period and won’t be finished before the mixing session end of November.

I will be on US tour with Kamelot in October. So, if anybody’s going to one of those gigs I hope you have some time to hang out later - to talk about Sons Of Seasons, music & life in general :).

Greetings,

Oliver

The whole band met last week in Stuttgart/ Germany, to shoot photos for the album and promo material. We work together with a fantastic graphic designer, Stephan Heilemann, and I am convinced he can bring the idea for the cover and the booklet visually to life that I carry around in my head since some time.

Next step, beginning this week, are the vocal recordings in Lüneburg/ Germany, close to Hamburg. Henning is already preparing and I make last corrections on the lyrics. Like during the drum recordings, I will sit all the time behind the mixing desk while Henning is performing his art.

We’re working on the second ‘behind the scenes’ video. Problem is that we’ve recorded this time with two cameras and we struggle to get all the material together. So it might still take a while.

Greetings,

Oliver

I just returned from the drum recordings at the Rhön Record Studios in Fulda. Daniel did a great job and I am fascinated how the songs changed once again having good drum arrangements embedded. We had a tight schedule, getting up at 7 a.m. and working until 7 p.m. Both of us looked kind of pale at the end of that week.

Next is the artwork session in Stuttgart, near the place where I was born. The whole band comes together there so the next ‘behind the scenes’ video will have everybody on it.

Oliver

It’s not breaking news any more but here once again: Finally Sons Of Seasons sealed a deal with Napalm Records. In the past months we were in contact with different labels but the guys from Napalm gave the best impression of how they could help promote our music. Further - business or not - the human factor and how you ‘click’ with people is sometimes the most important issue.

So, all songs are written and we’re entering the recording period. Drums are recorded in one week from now in Fulda, middle of Germany. Vocals in September in Hamburg. Keys, Bass & Guitars in studios around Köln/ Cologne. We’re already planning to post some videos about the recordings on the website.

I am happy that the forum and the Sons Of Seasons community keeps growing despite the fact that there are not many musical samples available yet. Nowadays the success of a debut album decides about the fall or rise of a new band, and that success is based a lot on people willing to help the band spreading the word.

Oliver

After a very productive and creative 4 days writing session with Oliver I’ve returned to my home town Lüneburg. So far we have finished almost all tracks mixing my and Oliver’s musical ideas. I am really enjoying watching our baby grow, so to speak. I am really proud of the result so far. For the final recording I will sing the best vocals I’ve ever done.

I am indeed proud to be part of this energetic musicianship, having great and nice colleagues around me.

Greetings to all of you,

Henning

Henning and me had some great days arranging, writing and recording song material. Both of us are really happy with the results. I have now a 2 week holiday ahead, something I haven’t had for five years. After we start fully into the recording sessions - around September the Master CD should be done. Besides I have festivals coming up, for example Wacken, Lillehammer or Vantaa in Finland.

Oliver

I’ve returned from Hungary and I am preparing for the last song writing session with Henning Basse (vocals) before we start the final recordings. All the songs are basically written but we have to work on more vocal ideas. Newest song is “Fall of Byzanz”, a reflection on the armies of Mehmed the Conqueror standing before the gates of Konstantinopel/ Byzanz (today Istanbul). History is one of my main interests and it inspires me for song writing. Didn’t they say “If you don’t know about History you don’t know who you are”.

Right now I am on a trip to Hungary with the band Epica. There will be a concert with a whole symphonic orchestra. I am with them because I am the notator/ arranger for the orchestral parts. Of course I am looking forward to Hungary because it’s my other home country.

I am positive that within a few weeks we can tell which label we will work together. Besides we’re working on finishing the songs - I just wrote the last lines on a new one, ‘Tower Of Belial’, definitely the fastest one on the record.

Else there’s a mountain of work to accomplish before the album release. But it’s worth every moment.

Greetings, Oliver