This Season’s Color

Ex Nihilo by This Season’s Color (Self-released EP)

Based out of the Lexington, KY area, This Season’s Color is an exciting new collective that you’ll be a hearing a lot more from in the future. Perhaps taking influences from various bands such as Underoath, Chiodos, and even the vastly underrated Codeseven, it’s amazing that such a young band is capable of creating material that really soars into the stratosphere. Their debut EP Ex Nihilo is certainly an ambitious effort that succeeds on many levels. Brutal as hell one minute and then gentle as a lullaby the next, the tunes are works of artistry demonstrating a band who aspires for more than just whatever the current trends have to offer.

There is a dream-like quality to the found – even in the most sonic of moments there is serenity, hope, and a strong sense of spirituality to be found within the dynamic compositions. Whether it’s the compelling title track that kicks off the EP or the stunning reveries to be found within Daylight Savings, the five songs featured on Ex Nihilo are sweeping in scope.

The Classic Remastered starts off with a tuneful guitar reverie, and then sends the listener on a journey of wondrous sound. On the other hand, Why Shred Both Ways? is intense and wildly metallic, before drifting off into a beautiful finale of keyboard and clear vocals that is striking. The Bridge closes out the disc on an introspective note, showing yet another shade of the band’s thrilling sound.

The musicianship in the band is extremely creative and resourceful. While This Season’s Color has only been around for about a year, they interact like they’ve been playing together for ages. Sharing the vocals duties are Nick Cooper and Kyle Hollis, performing the highly impassioned lyrics with a dazzling mix of screamed and clear singing inflections. The guitar work is mesmerizing and highly creative – credit is due to both Johnny Osborn and Jonathan Overbay for the fine precision they show in their work. Will Crawford weaves a spellbinding underscore on the keyboards while Chase Clark on bass and Cole Clark on drums make for a mightily solid rhythm section.

Ex Nihilo by This Season’s Color is a terrific prologue from a band who surely has a lot to offer any music scene. Their debut EP is an adventurous work that should gain them a good deal of attention well beyond their Kentucky home.  These guys would definitely make a good addition to a label such as Solid State or Facedown…

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

This Season’s Color on Myspace