The Fourth Season

Born in Melbourne, this Australian progressive, power metal band, are a must for the avid metal fan. Utilising a myriad of emotion, they combine atmosphere with power and forcefully drive it down to your very core sending you into a realm of imagination and intrigue. Intricate riffs and melodies alike, they truly prove yet again that Australians do it better!


Embodiment – As an introduction this can only be portrayed as an onslaught. It is heavy, tight, diverse and powerful. The overall structure is brilliant and really shows what great musicians these guys are. The vocal harmonies are well placed and nothing is overdone. There is a lot going on and really gets the heart racing. It is uplifting and motivating from beginning to end.


The Tyranny Of Distance – The introduction on this track has one small issue for me and that is the keyboards and its reverb. In this particular instance, the guitar and keyboards are trying to create a tight, heavy fixture but the strings reverb delays that and makes it lose its tight edge. I know I’m being picky but as a muso myself that’s one thing I pick up on and try to prevent from happening. Anyway, in come the vocals which set a sombre tone which progress into another powerful melodic track. The thing I like about this band is they don’t overdo the changes yet manage to still make it technical and challenging. They also manage to create anthem-like tracks which effectively become epic and timeless.


Surrender – This track is powerful. I know I’ve said that about its predecessors, but it’s true. I don’t know quite how else to describe it. It’s the kind of track that becomes a movie soundtrack. It’s atmospheric and emotional. These guys are certainly set for stardom.


Hope Among The Heartless – There are some serious metal rhythm guitars in here. Again, it’s atmospheric and unassailable (yes, I found another word for powerful!) I would love to see these guys live with an orchestra backing them. The music is brilliantly structured. I like the complementing piano about two thirds of the way through; it adds a nice touch.


Gaia – The Path To The Unknown (Instrumental) – A haunting instrumental. Very warrior like which leads us directly into the next track.


I Within I – Vanishing Point create an amazing ambience within their music. It really transcends the imagination. There is a nice guitar lead in here; well placed and timed. I really admire their timing and ingenuity throughout this entire album. This is definitely an album for the collection.


Beyond The Open Door – Filled with passion and an array of emotion, this track thunders down upon you without mercy. It is constant and strident.


Ashen Sky – An evocative introduction. Brilliant rhythm guitars, drums and vocal harmonies. At about two and a half minutes into it there is an interesting interval which doesn’t quite work for me, but it does break it up. Not that the track needed it. Would’ve been a lot better off without it. After the interlude the guitars get nice and fast and heavy which helps you to forget.


One Foot In Both Worlds – A beautiful piano introduction leads us into emotional wreckage. It’s a darker track and quite moving. Again, the atmosphere Vanishing Point creates is magnificent. The interludes here are a lot better than Ashen Sky. It blends well and doesn’t throw you off the emotional journey as the other one did.


Wake Me – There’s a real sense of quirkiness within this band that really lie within the keyboards and effects. It works though. Another powerful piece with great drums, guitar work and vocal harmonies. The lyrics are quite compelling.


Day Of Difference – A poetic track; haunting, captivating and intoxicating. This is truly outstanding. The message is clear and delivered with passion.


In essence, The Fourth Season is a metal masterpiece. Filled with passion, power and progressive metal it’s a pleasure to the ears. The copy I have is a promotional copy so there is no info on the sleeve so I can’t relay any information to you about its content; lyrically, artwork or otherwise. I can however, tell you that Vanishing Point are very professional with their presentation and the CD itself looks amazing and the cover truly represents the musical content.

You can check out the Vanishing Point website HERE

And their Myspace HERE