The Seventh Season
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The Seventh Season

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"Erik Williams"

December 2006
http://www.independentclauses.com/v2/issues/december06/seventh_season.htm

In today’s field of music, most if not all rock bands are founded by groups of musicians who, despite different callings in the music field, are all drawn together by one indestructible factor: friendship. For some musicians, that bond is even more solidified by having brothers or sisters to play along with. The Seventh Season takes that foundation one step further. Not only has bass player and back-up vocalist Yuri Batygin been behind the wheel for Seventh Season since 1972 with drummer Sergey Smet, but he has finally found a voice for his outfit in his son Konstantin “Chad” Batygin.

The Seventh Season has been through ups and downs in its almost 35 year existence. Their latest offering is a live DVD entitled Transposition, which was filmed live at the Emeryville College for Digital Arts in February of 2006. In this set, Seventh Season presents itself as a band that has not only a unique sound, but also consistent songwriting ability.

Chad Batygin sets the mood for the album with his unique and trippy guitar tones with “Desire.” Smet starts tapping the beat on his throne while Yuri gets the listener in the groove with his bass. Chad’s vocals come in early on in the song, yet they almost appear too rough for the song; due to it being a live show, it could just be first-song-anxiety. Regardless, the vocalization is done very well between Chad and his dad throughout the tune.

The album zips over a song about not wearing underwear (“Commando”) to “Pirate Song,” a poppy song that will get fans of any genre bopping along. Chad’s vocals are more understandable in this song, and the lyrics turn out to be well written and thoughtful. If anyone has even wondered what Russian blues rock sounds like, look no further. Yuri lays it down in “New Day,” a toe-tapping blues-rock song sung completely in Russian. The trio shows off their English song-writing skills as well in “So Insane,” a new age rocker that leaves Chad pleading, “Please tell me there’s no need to be alone for God’s sake.” “Ocean of Time” is arguably the best tune on the DVD. Manifesting from the tender, fluid notes that drip off Chad’s guitar, the song immediately brings to mind images of the subconscious, of floating around in space, and an eternity of tripping. A brooding bass line carries the song beneath Chad’s dimmed vocals until the gentle dynamics soar into a hard hitting, powerful solo. The Batygins bellow out one last chorus before Smet kicks his kit into gear and the band races off at a new tempo with Chad’s fingers in the lead.

The DVD ends with several decent tunes, the most noticeable being “April,” which features political overtones and lyrics like “Why should we have to die…for someone else’s lie?” Chad also takes this time to show off his axe-man skills, rifling off several solos with his guitar over his head. Transposition offers a few good songs and is sure to draw in some fans for the Seventh Season. Unfortunately, the purpose of a live DVD is to capture the live energy of the band. With Transposition, though the tunes sound great, there was no feeling of urgency from the performers. The groove was there, the beat was there, but a lot of the stage presence felt robotic and/or forced in accordance with the music. Being that they advertise themselves as a rock band, if there is one thing the band could work on, it would be to move around a bit more, interact with each other more, and really go crazy.

Other than many of the tunes sounding semi-similar due to the same atmospheric guitar tones flowing over everything, The Seventh Season have done some great things on Transposition, and “Ocean of Time” is an extremely well-written song. If you’re looking for some trippy rock 'n' roll and have an hour to spare, pick up Transposition and let the groove take you away.
- Independent Clauses


"THE SEVENTH SEASON/Transposition"

http://www.metalcorefanzine.com/reviews27.html

This is a straight ahead no bullshit rock n roll band that would not be out of place from the 80's. The band write simple, but big time catchy tunes with some melodic singing. The band remind me of a band from the 80's called The Shoes who had a few hits here and there. The camera and sound quality are more than good and this is for the fan who craves kick ass rock n roll. Info: www.theseventhseason.net - MetalCore Fanzine


"Ron Fuchs"

24 January 2007
http://www.geocities.com/prognaut/reviews/tss-dvd.html

In 2006, Bay Area prog rockers, The Seventh Season, follow up there debut album with a concert DVD called Transposition. It contains all of the songs on the debut album, Fall Within, plus a brand new tune from a upcoming release. Back in February, The Seventh Season played an energetic show at Ex’pression College for Digital Arts in Emeryville California. The Seventh Season brings back those days and in a way that can’t be categorized as retro or nostalgic. It is the real thing and deserves to be seen and heard by more people than were at the show recorded for this DVD. They prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the live environment. So much in fact that it makes their studio songs come alive with an intensity of late 70’s/ early 80’s art rock. With this DVD I have warmed up more to their sound that I would recommend it highly to those that loved the early 70’s glam rock and the DIY late 70’s/ early 80’s art rock scene. hear for yourself on their MySpace page! - ProgNaut.com


"Crazy John"

January 2007
http://hbgonline.com/music/cdreviews.htm

13 tracks of electrifying rock from The Seventh Season. Beginning in Russia in 1972, The Seventh Season has now been reborn in America as a captivating father and son run rock band. This album has explosive energy, with fresh guitar solos, pure drumbeats, and interesting bass lines. Their old hits are on this album such as “Pirate Song” and “Commando”, while also having their more modern new sounds like “Apart From Here” and “Ocean of Time”. This is music you can listen to and enjoy its addictive charisma. - HBGOnline.com


"Danny Boodman"

November 2006
http://www.shapeless.it/recealbum/theseventhseason-transposition.htm

Oh, bene! Bravi! Bis! In casa The Seventh Season sono passato quattro anni dalla pubblicazione del debut album "Fall Within" (che trovate recensito su queste pagine) e i miglioramenti si vedono eccome. Questa volta la band di origini russe, in attesa di pubblicare un secondo CD, attualmente in lavorazione, decide di produrre un DVD di un concerto registrato il 23 febbraio in California, presso l'Ex'pression College For Digital Arts. Il risultato, pur essendo realizzato in maniera quasi amatoriale, risulta assolutamente professionale e curato, mitigando tutti i difetti che avevo riscontrato nell'album "Fall Within". Innanzitutto bisogna dire che la band in questi quattro anni si è data da fare, prendendo tra le propria fila un vero batterista, Sergei Smet, al posto dell'odiosa drum machine del primo album. Questo già fa fare un passo enorme alla qualità delle canzoni, dato che il buon Sergei, un distinto signore dotato di un bel tocco leggero, è perfettamente funzionale al rock anni '60/'70 suonato dai "The Seventh Season". Un altro miglioramento, poi, si nota nella performance di Konstantin Batygin, giovanissimo chitarrista e cantante che, vi ricordo, non è altri che il figlio di Yuri Batygin, bassista e fondatore della band. Konstantin, infatti, è migliorato tantissimo dal punto di vista esecutivo negli ultimi quattro anni, mostrando davvero un impegno e una passione ammirevoli. D'altra parte c'era da aspettarselo: Konstantine all'epoca di "Fall Within" aveva solo sedici anni, quindi probabilmente era poco più che un principiante del proprio strumento. Infine, sempre parlando degli ottimi passi avanti compiuti dalla band, c'è la questione della produzione che, essendo assolutamente 'live' in questo DVD, spazza via tutto quel senso di artificiosità che appiattiva invece il debutto.

Passando quindi a presentarvi il contenuto di questo DVD, vi anticipo che la scaletta del concerto, di soli tredici brani, comprende sette brani tratti da "Fall Within", più cinque nuove composizioni che andranno a finire sul nuovo album. Per quanto riguarda i brani conosciuti, posso dire che la resa dal vivo aggiunge davvero non poco alle canzoni, che sembrano davvero rivivere grazie ai miglioramenti citati prima. Anche la voce di Konstantin, che non è poi così spettacolare, diciamocelo, risulta comunque più piacevole rispetto al passato. I brani mantengono una struttura semplice, ma si nota una certa evoluzione negli assoli, dato che il chitarrista, crescendo con il proprio strumento, ha assunto dei caratteri solisti tipicamente ottantiani. Non è raro quindi che le composizioni siano leggermente allungate, per lasciare spazio alle evoluzioni di Konstantin. I nuovi brani, allo stesso modo, continuano sulla falsa riga di quelli di "Fall Within", ma convincono ancora di più proprio grazie alla maturazione del gruppo. Tuttavia, prima di sbilanciarmi su un giudizio dettagliato, aspetto la pubblicazione definitiva del CD, in modo da sentire i brani in quella che sarà la loro veste ufficiale. Per ora, comunque, il giudizio è positivo, anche se resta un po' la questione già sollevata in "Fall Within": le canzoni sono davvero molto semplici e dirette, quindi c'è il rischio che dopo pochi ascolti l'interesse cali, lasciando il CD a prendere polvere.

Infine aggiungo qualche considerazione sulla qualità video: il DVD è stato realizzato in maniera quasi amatoriale, ma comunque il risultato è davvero buono. Vengono utilizzate tre diverse telecamere e le inquadrature sono semplici ma efficaci. L'immagine non è perfettamente nitida, ma è comunque più che buona e anche dal punto di vista dell'audio non c'è da lamentarsi (certo, non aspettatevi chissà quali performance in 5.1, ecco...). La performance della band è visivamente scarna e semplice: i tre musicisti restano fermi al loro posto e si limitano a suonare senza troppi fronzoli: niente scenografie, niente pose, soltanto del buon rock 'n' roll.

Per concludere, quindi, non mi resta che consigliarvi la visione di questo DVD, che mostra il buono stato di salute dei The Seventh Season: i brani nuovi sembrano promettenti e quelli vecchi sono decisamente migliorati rispetto alla versione sul disco. Se volete conoscere questa band, iniziate proprio da questo DVD, potrebbe essere un bel biglietto da visita.
- Shapeless Zine - The Italian Metal Webzine


"Michael Davis"

5 October 2006
http://www.pghlocalmusic.com/news/NewsDetail.cfm?NewsID=4

The Seventh Season has released a great LIVE DVD "Transposition" that really ROCKS! The sound quality is very professional and the Video quality is TOP NOTCH! The sound of Seventh Season is very progressive rock with a little metal. Their guitar sounds very clean and "drifting-soothing" like Uli Jon Roth or Hendrix. The opening track will hook you with their soothing tone and the rest will rock you! Be sure to watch the hidden track for a Great METAL ANTI-WAR song! Learn more and hear this great band here: The Seventh Season. - Pittsburgh's Music Directory


"The Seventh Season - Fall Within"

http://www.evor.com/links_rock8.html

The Seventh Season "Fall Within is not to be missed: Rock and Roll fan or not. With its catchy tunes and light-hearted outlook on life, the Seventh Season will grow on anyone who appreciates good music." - Evor.com


"They're living out the high-energy, rebellious fantasy"

http://www.indie-music.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2311

The roots of this band formed in Moscow in 1972. Now, The Seventh Season is Yuri Batygin and son Konstantin, performing guitar rock with electronic new wave elements and spastic, aggressive vocals that sound like the B-52s singing from the Rolling Stones songbook.

What really works is that these guys love rock music. They’re living out the high-energy, rebellious fantasy. The British accent does sound a little strange from two Russian singers, but the passion and power are there.

For their next recording, I suggest they do something to fill out the sound. It needs more bass, and those voices need to be brought to the front a little more. They sound echoed in the background. But overall, this is an intriguing approach and makes for enjoyable listening.

Jennifer Layton.
- Jennifer Layton, Indie-Music.com


"The Seventh Season - Fall Within"

Another father/son rock act, this one Russian. Papa Yuri and son Konstantin Batygin have been at this rock and roll thing for some time, and now their equipment and chops are up to a commercial release. Youth-oriented for the youth of the late '70s and early '80s, their stuff's sort of New Wave, angry with a hint of fake Brit accent, which is sort of amusing given the fact that we're talking about two Russians living in Los Angeles.

I like it. It's fantasy-and-testosterone based, with titles ranging from "Commando" to "So Insane" to "Pirate Song" to "Magician" to "Army of Reality." The Batygins obviously love writing and playing rock, and that is an asset to any record. As for their writing and singing, it's not bad and they're not trying to break new ground here, so if the basic patterns are passe, that doesn't hurt the release a bit. If a college dormitory hall had a big party, the room where this record was playing would be the inner sanctum for the most "with it" party attendees.

- Encore, Outrider


"The Seventh Season - Liquid Water"

27 June 2007
http://www.nuevorevolution.com/reviews/reviewsqs.htm

Amazing album, amazing band. The Seventh Season is a three piece band which brings a full sound with their album Liquid Water. Rock and Roll is the only way to describe this band with intelligent music from all ways around. From the thought out lyrics to the outstanding arrange of music, this is a highly likeable rock album with twelve tracks of interest to listeners besides musicians. The Seventh Season is one of the most talented rock acts on the independent circuit at this time. Making rock music for rock fans and not underestimating the music listener's intelligence. - NuevoRevolution.com


Discography

CD "Liquid Water" Independent Records, Inc. (2007)
DVD/CD "Transposition" Independent Records, Inc. (2006)
CD "Fall Within" Independent Records, Inc. (2003)

Available at Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Napster, Etherstream, QTRnote, MusicMatch, Emusic, MP3tunes, MusicNet, LoudEye, Weed, Mperia, OnlinePromo, RuleRadio, DigiPie, MusicNow, PlayIndies, Share NewYork (Weedtracks.com), BuyMusic, Bitmunk, PassAlong, Chondo, Multiplex (Weed ICP), Ruckus, LimeWire, Sony Connect, Liquid Digital Media, Next Radio Solutions, Tradebit, PayPlay, Rhapsody, TastyAudio (1776), NetMusic, AudioLunchbox, WrapFactory, iSound, Swaythisway

Radioplayed at
iRADIO 90.3 FM, Los Angeles
KCSN 88.5 FM, Los Angeles
BERMUDA FUNK RADIO 89.6 MHz Mannheim, 105.4 MHz Heidelberg, Germany
SHONAN BEACH FM 78.9 MHz, Japan
DYNAMIC INDEPENDENT RADIO 100.1 FM, Rochester, NY
CFUR Prince George Community Radio, BC 88.7 FM, Canada
WCVF 88.9 FM
KCLA FM 99 ROCK,
and other stations

Photos

Bio

How many bands that were started in 1972 out there are still alive and playing? How many bands out there have both, a father and a son teamed up to make music? How many bands out there can still rock-n-roll? There is at least one: The Seventh Season.

The Seventh Season was established in 1972. Led by Yuri Batygin, in the years 1972-1975 the band performed at various stages, trying to find it's own sound. From 1976 to1979 the band spent their time mostly recording numerous songs in their home studio. The Seventh Season restarted again in 1998. In its current form, The Seventh Season has been around since the spring of 2001. Consisting of three members, the band decided to record a full-length EP prior to any other action. They released their first CD, "Fall Within" in March 2003. The CD quickly made it to Amazon.com and started getting airplay at radio stations and reviews by various magazines. In 2006 they released DVD "Transposition" with live concert performed on 23 February 2006 in Emeryville College for Digital Arts, CA. In 2007 they released their second CD "Liquid Water".

Along with the traditional rock sound, one can determine a very unique, unusual tone, which the band members fished out from their own experiences, creating a completely fresh array of rock music. There is reflection of the most popular rock'n'roll sound of the last 40 years, transformed into an extremely modern expression. This rare variation is due to the band's specific sound selection. The members of The Seventh Season can surprise us with their original songs, in which they easily switch from the energetic fulfillment of rock'n'roll to the sad and touchable, slow and melodic rock songs.

Every performance of The Seventh Season has turned out to fulfill the audience's need for a real show with all the elements of great professionalism, amazingly joyful and refreshing music, and the band members' remarkable presence on the stage.

http://myspace.com/theseventhseason