Seasons

The song "Seasons" from the album Badlands by the band Badlands is a standout track from their 1989 debut, known for its raw energy and bluesy hard rock vibe. In a 1990 interview with Hit Parader, bassist Greg Chaisson described the recording of "Seasons" as a moment where the band found their groove, with vocalist Ray Gillen pushing his vocal range to capture the song’s emotional depth. Chaisson noted that the track’s lyrics, penned by guitarist Jake E. Lee, were inspired by the cyclical nature of life’s highs and lows, reflecting Lee’s experiences after being fired from Ozzy Osbourne’s band. The song’s driving rhythm and soulful guitar riffs were crafted to evoke a sense of resilience, which resonated with fans of the late ‘80s hair metal scene.

Despite its popularity among Badlands fans, "Seasons" didn’t get a music video like the album’s lead single, "Dreams in the Dark," but it was a staple in the band’s live sets. A fan on the The song "Seasons" from the album Badlands by the band Badlands is a powerful track from their 1989 debut, celebrated for its blues-infused hard rock energy. In a 1990 Hit Parader interview, bassist Greg Chaisson revealed that "Seasons" came together during a late-night studio session where the band hit a creative peak. Vocalist Ray Gillen, formerly of Black Sabbath, pushed his vocal delivery to convey raw emotion, which Chaisson said gave the song its soulful edge. Guitarist Jake E. Lee, the band’s creative force, wrote the lyrics, drawing from his reflections on life’s cyclical struggles after being fired from Ozzy Osbourne’s band. The song’s gritty riffs and driving rhythm made it a fan favorite, embodying the band’s Led Zeppelin-inspired sound.

While "Seasons" never got a music video like the album’s hit "Dreams in the Dark," it was a highlight of Badlands’ live performances. A fan post on the Badlands Facebook page from 2020 recalled a 1989 concert where Gillen improvised a vocal run during "Seasons," electrifying the crowd. The song’s themes of resilience resonated deeply with the band’s audience, known as “Zoo Freaks” in the context of THE ZOO radio station’s vibe. According to a Kerrang! article from 1991, Lee described "Seasons" as one of the band’s most honest tracks, capturing their collective frustration with the music industry’s pressures at the time.

Badlands formed in 1988 in Los Angeles, born from Jake E. Lee’s desire to create music with more soul than his work with Ozzy Osbourne. After being let go by Sharon Osbourne in 1987, Lee recruited Ray Gillen, who had briefly sung for Black Sabbath, bringing a powerful vocal presence. Bassist Greg Chaisson, previously with Surgical Steel, joined after a chance meeting with Lee at a local club, as noted in a 2022 XS ROCK article. Drummer Eric Singer, another ex-Black Sabbath member, completed the lineup, though he was later replaced by Jeff Martin for the band’s second album. Their shared love for bluesy hard rock and a DIY ethos shaped their debut album, which sold 400,000 copies by 1990, per Chaisson’s Hit Parader interview.

The band’s raw, unpolished sound set them apart in the late ‘80s hair metal scene, earning praise from outlets like Billboard, which called their debut a “collection of well-crafted tunes” in 1989. Despite their talent, internal conflicts and label disputes with Atlantic Records led to their breakup in 1993, with Gillen’s death from AIDS-related complications that year sealing the band’s end. The posthumous release of their album Dusk in 1998, featuring unreleased demos, kept their legacy alive among fans. You can explore more about Badlands on their official AllMusic page, though they lack a dedicated official website today.

For social media, check out the band’s Facebook page, which has over 4,400 likes and occasional fan-driven posts about their music. Their Instagram presence is limited to fan tags and throwback photos under #badlandsband, as the band predates modern social media. On X, searches for “Badlands band” yield fan tributes and discussions about their albums, though no official account exists. Fans also gather on the Badlands Fan Group on Facebook, a community of over 1,000 members sharing memories and rare photos. Another fan hub is the Metal Archives page, which offers detailed discography and band history for enthusiasts.