Fifth Season formed from the ashes of popular technical thrash band INNER SANCTUM in the mid 1990's. Inner Sanctum had gained respect and popularity within their field and supported thrash legends EXODUS at the Marquee London amongst others such as Conception, Scat Opera, Atomseed & Skyclad to name but a few.
Wanting to move into a more melodic and progressive genre the band started working on new songs- The result was the debut CD album "Journey Through an open mind" which gained great reviews around the world.
- This recording gained the interest of none other than STEVE HARRIS (IRON MAIDEN) who really appreciated the FIFTH SEASON sound and invited them to play with IRON MAIDEN at the NOTTINGHAM CONCERT HALL. After playing small tours of France, Germany- The band were in talks with STEVE HARRIS & ROD SMALLWOOD about signing to (now sadly defunct) BEAST RECORDS-& possible MARILLION tour support- This didn't work out and is another story!
Interest from OUTSTANDING MUSIC RECORDS closely linked to DREAM THEATER also sadly fell through as did the European Tour with Dream Theater- but at least the band spent time at a couple of gigs backstage partying with MIKE- so no tears were shed!...WELL not too many! ha ha!
Fifth Season had guest keyboards on this first album (on two songs) and soon realised the wider soundscape and melodic ideas available with an added member. STEVE BINGLEY- Subsequently auditioned and joined the band on keyboards.
Fifth Season started work on the (never officially released) follow up album "VERTIGO". The bands songwriting ability had vastly improved, and the new recordings gained even more rave reviews-
Sadly FIFTH SEASON are no more- but i felt that the unreleased songs- should get a chance to be heard. So after a line up change which did about five gigs and one recording - being joined by TONY TURRELL - KEYBOARDS ( currently with FISH) SIMON DAWSON- DRUMS (ex- DEARLY BEHEADED, THE OUTFIELD, ONE MINUTE SILENCE) & STEVE WOODCOCK- BASS (ex SIEGE SOCIETY & currently in FOE & LINEAR SPHERE) The band split up to pursue other projects with varying success- highlighted by a performance at Download 2004 Castle Donnington. (See D-Void)
Here are just a few reviews from around the world that Fifth Season recieved-
"Fifth Season blend prog metal with technical metal. The music is heavy, yet very technical and with a broad range of influences blended into the music. The band has also made room for more evocative and mellow parts, which combined with the use of acoustic guitars, great varied keyboards and the superb, emotive mid-ranged vocals, create a special atmosphere to the songs. The band is very competent as musicians and songwriters, and although the music is at times very technical and complex, the harmonies, the melody- and vocal-lines are beautifully melodic and irresistible. Although I can hear influences of bands such as Rush, Fates Warning and probably a dozen other prog metal bands, it's hard to compare them to any specific bands, as they clearly have found their own style and direction. Comparing them to a specific band would not be fair as there are so much more to this music than that. The production is decent and all instruments are clear and distinct.This is a must for every fan of prog- and technical metal. Journey Through An Open Mind is a truly unique CD. Fifth Season represent the finest of tech/prog metal to come out of UK in a long time." PROGRESSIVE WORLD.NET
"FIFTH SEASON Promo '99
Can somebody please finally explains me why this band isn't world famous? Fifth Season is pretty much one of the most original and innovating progressive metal bands on this earth. After a bunch of demo tapes the release in '97 the CD "Journey Through An Open Mind". They got raving reviews but still they are without a deal. On this promo they have recorded three new songs the Dream Theater cover "Peruvian Skies" witch they recorded for a Dream Theater tribute album. The three new songs are again amazingly skillful arranged and preformed. They have integrated some more keyboard parts in their music which has only enriched the total sound. People who like prog metal can only do one thing, contact this band, buy their CD and support them any way you can because there aren't many bands as talented as Fifth Season. (8)" UNDERTOW WEBZINE
"A band with enormous potential, excellent musicianship" MALCOLM DOME-METAL HAMMER- UK-
"Music is powerful, melodic, progressive and refreshing. This band are more than ready to move on to bigger things. Bne of the best prog metal recordings of the year" MINDVIEW MAGAZINE, Belgium
"First class progressive power metal"
THAT'S IT MAGAZINE, Germany
"Fifth Season are both technically, and as songwriters- extremely competent. Powerful guitars and drums and terse meaty hooks & riffs. A instantly recognisable style, different but GOOD, one of Britains most promising metal bands" ROCK HARD MAGAZINE-Germany
The bands proficient musicianship and songwriting abilities are an amazing achievement, highly recomended." UNDERGROUND SCENE REPORT
"Good songs, flowing melodies, technically excellent music with a hint of RUSH, a pleasure to hear." RUSS SMITH- TERRORIZER MAGAZINE UK
Full of originality, this UK band are destined for greater things- watch this space." TUTTI PAZZI- ITALY
"the first two tracks, "Shadows of Hope" and "A Little Rain Must Fall," just breathe with excellence. Influenced by Rush, Fifth Season deliver pure progressive metal, very dynamic and impulsive." EDGE OF TIME webzine
"Extremely competant, imaginative UK band, should give progressive fans a shot of adrenaline." HEAVY MAGAZINE - Germany
"A band with the music of Queensryche & Dream Theater in mind- yet manage to maintain an incredible original style. Great melodies that give the tracks extra dimension" COR SNIJDER- SWEDEN
"Progressive structures are complex with an accessible melodic stance. Fifth Season are THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN THE PROGRESSIVE METAL WORLD." BRUNO VAN DE VELDE- UNDERTOW MAGAZINE, Belgium
"Here's probably the most exciting UK band that appeared these past few years. Certainly the most talentuous one. 'Journey through an open mind' is not really a album & better a collection of demos. However, it's really the best ones heard for a while from UK. As a proof of their growing success, the band will soon be signed for a first & real album. Musically speaking, Fifth Season ( not to counfound with swedish power meal band Fifth Reason) is a progressive metal band. This album is the one you can have between Eternity X & Dream Theater. If the band is composed of skilled & impressive musician ( especially the bass player that plays some incredible bass lines during the main songs), Fifth Season better works on the subtleties of its songs & on the melodic research. But, the powerful side has never been forgotten as it could be the case sometimes. So, it's a solid blend of calm parts with furious ones. Drums parts are simply fantastic & lead songs in various directions. It's really a captivating music. As soon as you play it, you cannot do something else than listen to it : just fascinated. Fifth Season is an unique band & it symbolizes the renewal of a UK scene! May be the start for a new wave of british heavy metal."
THE OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND METAL WEBSITE- FRANCE
Promo Cd : Fifth Season is back with 4 new tracks for about 28 minutes long. The band recorded & mixed them in days. The result is simply fantastic. I never heard such quality for a 2 days recording for ages. It overcomes a lot of so called ' big production'. Musically speaking, Fifth Season confirms its talentuous musical ship. The time has now come for a record company to sign this band. Between powerful riffing parts ( close to Dream Theater or The Quiet room ) & melodic , sensible parts like only Pendragon was able to create, Fifth Season builds its personality. The drummer is incredible of subtleties. their singer owns a real charisma, the keys are guitars completly complement each other. The richness of harmonies, the originality of their arrangements , the high quality of composition establish this band as the ultimate prog/metal UK band of the end of this century & certainly the most talentuous one. After a first CD that was like a collection of demo, Fifth Season follows its road & now it has reached a so incredible level that the band will have to work harder & harder to surprise us next times! But i'm sure they'll do it!"
THE OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND METAL WEBSITE- FRANCE
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