Nearly two years after the release of their comeback album The Secret Teachings, Dutch doom-metal pioneers Celestial Season are ready to release a new full-length album entitled Mysterium I, once again through the renowned label Burning World Records.

The chemistry between all members of the reunited line-up was so remarkable and productive that resulted in this new album, the first of a trilogy with Mysterium II and Mysterium III to follow in 2022 and 2023. Three new Celestial Season albums all with a different musical concept, an artistic approach that always characterised their past releases.

Mysterium I is the natural follow-up to The Secret Teachings and is part of the doom-era initiated with Forever Scarlet Passion from 1993 and Solar Lovers from 1995, both of which were widely acclaimed for a heavy, melancholic sound combined with classic instruments like violins and cello. Lyrically, the Mysterium trilogy continues where The Secret Teachings left off. A deep dive into the secrets of the ancient mysteries, all that is known and all what is still to be discovered.

Formed in the early nineties, the Dutch group attained international acclaim with their first two full-length albums, Forever Scarlet Passion from 1993 and Solar Lovers from 1995, both still regarded as seminal doom-metal releases right next to Anathema’s Serenades, Paradise Lost’s Gothic and My Dying Bride’s Turn Loose the Swans.

A mix of the Forever Scarlet Passion and Solar Lovers line-ups re-grouped to create what they labelled as the Doom Era line-up; with Stefan Ruiters back on vocals, Lucas van Slegtenhorst on bass, Olly Smit and Pim van Zanen on guitars, Jason Köhnen on drums and Jiska Ter Bals back on violin and Elianne Anemaat on cello.

Together, they created and recorded The Secret Teachings, an hour-long musical journey that perfectly recaptured the magic and splendour of their early years. Mysterium I follows the same path, delivering a poignant and melancholic doom-metal that cements Celestial Season status as one of the best European doom-metal bands.

Mysterium I releases on April 25th.