BEHIND THE MIRROR

Seasons Of Time came to life in Bremen during October 1993 with an original core of Willie C. Kimbrough (vocals), Thorsten Klein (guitar), Lars Ebsen (drums), Dirk Berger (bass) and Andreas Meyer (keyboards).1995 sees Klein abandoning the wagon and Stephan Dinter jumping in and the following year Ebsen was replaced by Erik Pilger.By 1997 only Berger remained from the original line-up with Kimbrough and Meyer both replaced by Malte Twarloh, who could sing and play the keyboards.The same year the band releases independently the debut ''Behind the mirror'', a concept work around a true story of a woman from United Stares, who killed her childern to live her life in luxury with a lover.

While the influences from the music of MARILLION, PENDRAGON and other Neo Prog groups is clearly evident, the Germans could produce some beautiful melodies and intense atmospheres, propably helped by the concept story, which is based on deep keyboard sounds and electrified guitar moments, as many bands did at the time.The main theme is developed through 15 short pieces, which can be laid-back, atmospheric, aggressive or bombastic, depending on each part of the story, but the bulk of the album follows a rhythmic style with diverse keyboard moments, including organ, piano and synthesizers, and soft to melodic guitar lines, sometimes with a slight PINK FLOYD aura, especially during the lyrical passages.Close to the trend of the time their tracks contained dreamy keyboard textures, calm piano lines and more flashy synth solos over a palette of guitar-driven ideas with the overall style flirting with compatriots ZIFF and ZENOBIA.A few pieces ended up to be a bit disjointed/uninspired with rockin' leads or slight psychedelic vibes, the same occurs though for a couple of folky tunes, led by a charming flute performance and being among the highlights of the album.

Were Seasons Of Time ready to kick some asses with their debut?I doubt so.But their music was up there with the better-known bands of the style, featuring nervous symphonic moments, good melodies and pompous deliveries.Decent and recommended stuff.