Marillion - Season’s End (Deluxe Edition) - New 3CD and 1 Bluray Edition
Format: 3CD and 1 Bluray Edition Label: Parlophone Cat. No. 5054197384783 Released: 19/05/2023
Packed full of bonus content, the album has had a fresh 2023 Stereo Remix by Mike Hunter, alongside a new documentary, liner notes by Rich Wilson, and brand-new artwork. Originally released in 1989, Seasons End was Marillion’s fifth studio album and first with Steve Hogarth fronting the band, following the departure of former frontman Fish, spanning three singles; Hooks In You, The Uninvited Guest and Easter which all went on to chart in the UK. As well as a change in vocals, Seasons End also marked a change in visual identity with the band, which has been reflected in the 2023 deluxe edition of the album. At the time there was a desire for a change of direction from the more illustrative style of Mark Wilkinson’s artwork and logo, replacing that with a more photographic graphic style provided by Bill Smith Studio and Carl Glover who went on to work with the band over the coming years. A new direction began, with Steve Hogarth now fronting the band, and with this first release of Seasons End there was a need to retain some familiar elements for existing fans of the band, so a decision was made to carry through the original logo and some nods to previous artworks.
The 2023 Deluxe Edition has taken on another new approach, which took some of the original artwork elements without the need for older logos and imagery - presented in a slightly different form. Based around the four main elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, from the original cover concept, the rectangular panels became triangular as these elements are often depicted in symbology. The panels are sat in a background with an abstract representation of the space out of which these elements are born, giving it all a more universal feel. A whole range of new images were then created for each of the ten tracks using the same abstract painted collage style to tie it all together as content for these extended art books that accompany the 2023 releases.