WINTERTHROUGH

This is the final chapter in the "SeasonCycle Suite". HOSTSONATEN have been celebrating musically each of the four seasons. Nice art work as well although considering i'm in Canada and it's Winter right now all I have to do is to look out the window to see barren trees and snow. This is by far my least favourite season, and where I live it's the longest. Perhaps the one advantage of living in snow and ice for up to 5 months is how much we appreciate Spring, Summer and Fall. I cherish those seasons. This is really one long 46 minute suite broken into 10 movements.

"Entering The Halls Of Winter" opens with gently played piano as drums, bass and acoustic guitar join in. Mellotron after 1 1/2 minutes. This sounds great. A change after 4 minutes as pounding drums and mellotron take over. Electric guitar comes in as well. It settles before 6 minutes as piano then sax and mellotron join in. Piano only 7 1/2 minutes in. Drums and mellotron before 9 minutes as the sound becomes fuller. "Red Sky" features some different sounds including bagpipes. Spoken words as well on this one around 2 minutes with acoustic guitar. Clarinet and piano join in too. "White Earth" features intricate sounds. I like listening to this one. "Snowstorm" opens with drums and horns as guitar and bass come in and it all sounds fantastic ! The tempo slows after 4 1/2 minutes then we get a mellotron flood followed by a guitar solo.

"Over The Plain" is a cool song with the horns, mellotron and light drums. "The Crystal Light" opens with drums and mellotron. Nice. Acoustic guitar takes over for the mellotron. Sounds like sax joining in. Spoken words 5 minutes in as organ and drums carry on. A great soundscape follows. "Outside" is excellent with the drums, guitar and synths leading the way. "Ruins" is interesting. I like the atmosphere they create here. Some different sounds on this one. "Through Winter's Air" features mellotron, accordion and acoustic guitar. "Rainsuite" is the longest section at around 13 minutes. It changes tempo and mood throughout. I like the electric guitar with organ and drums early. More nice guitar leads 3 minutes in and later.

My favourite from this band is still their self-titled debut. They're all good though.