Trail of Tears (band)
Encyclopedia
Trail of Tears is a Norwegian
gothic
/symphonic black metal
band originally formed in 1994 by vocalist Ronny Thorsen
, under the name of Natt. Through most of their career the band emphasised the use of contrasting soprano
and death grunt vocals, except for the release of Free Fall into Fear in 2005, in which the band switched this contrast mostly to tenor
and death growls, with less frequent soprano passages.
the band recorded was When Silence Cries..., which contained three tracks and was released in April 1997. Guitarist Michael Krumins left the band and was replaced by Runar Hansen shortly thereafter.
The release of the demo lead the band to sign a contract for two album
s with Dutch
label DSFA Records
. Their debut — Disclosure in Red
— was released in that same year, and touring through Europe
followed, alongside Tristania
and The Sins of Thy Beloved
.
, was released in 2000, and female vocalist Helena Iren Michaelsen left the band soon after, being replaced by Cathrine Paulsen in May of that year. The band proceeded to play in Europe several times during 2000. In the following year they signed a three-album deal with Napalm Records
. Their third release, released in 2002, was entitled A New Dimension of Might
and was produced by Terje Refsnes (producer of Tristania
, Sirenia
and Green Carnation
).
2003 marked the band's first international concert, in Mexico
. Female vocalist Catherine Paulsen left the band, and male vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (Green Carnation
) joined Trail of Tears. This move prompted several changes in the band's sound, ultimately resulting in the 2004 album Free Fall into Fear
, which was markedly heavier than their previous albums. A tour with Tristania and Therion
followed the album's release.
standing in as a session live guitarist. The album was recorded as a five-piece with Runar Hansen recording all guitars and Bernt Moen being brought in as a guest musician to play keyboards
.
Kjetil Nordhus, Runar Hansen, Kjell Rune Hagen, and Jonathan Perez walked out in November 2006 due to bad organisation leading to monetary loss for all the members of the band and posted a statement on the Trail of Tears' website saying the band had split up. Ronny Thorsen soon issued a statement saying they would in fact be carrying on without them and that they couldn't have chosen a worse time to leave the band due to the upcoming tour for the album Existentia
. All tour dates had to be cancelled.
On February 1, 2007, it was stated that former Trail of Tears vocalist Cathrine Paulsen re-joined the band. The band was also confirmed for 2007's Sweden Rock Festival
, which was then followed with an extensive North American headlining tour alongside Echoes of Eternity
and Unexpect
.
. The album includes 11 songs and a limited edition album with an additional four or five bonus tracks will also be issued. The album was released on May 27, 2009.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
gothic
Gothic metal
Gothic metal or goth metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines the aggression of doom metal with the dark melancholy of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music...
/symphonic black metal
Symphonic black metal
Symphonic black metal is a black metal subgenre that emerged in the mid to late 1990s. The genre is known for its symphonic and orchestral elements and is centralized in Europe.-Characteristics:...
band originally formed in 1994 by vocalist Ronny Thorsen
Ronny Thorsen
Ronny Thorsen is a Norwegian vocalist most notable for being the harsh vocalist, lyricist, and only constant member of the band Trail of Tears. He has also been a session vocalist for the bands Blood Red Throne and Scariot and was a guest for the band Tristania...
, under the name of Natt. Through most of their career the band emphasised the use of contrasting soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
and death grunt vocals, except for the release of Free Fall into Fear in 2005, in which the band switched this contrast mostly to tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
and death growls, with less frequent soprano passages.
Formation and Disclosure in Red (1994 – 2000)
Formed in 1994, the band's initial name was Natt; the band recorded a self-titled demo with that name. In 1997 their name was switched to Trail of Tears, in order to reflect the evolution of their sound and the changes that had been made from their initial line-up. The first demoDemo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
the band recorded was When Silence Cries..., which contained three tracks and was released in April 1997. Guitarist Michael Krumins left the band and was replaced by Runar Hansen shortly thereafter.
The release of the demo lead the band to sign a contract for two album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s with Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
label DSFA Records
DSFA Records
DSFA Records was a Dutch record label, and "Doesn't Stand For Anything". Known bands for the label are Within Temptation, Trail Of Tears and The Gauntlet. The label has been defunct for several years....
. Their debut — Disclosure in Red
Disclosure in Red
Disclosure in Red is the first studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band, Trail of Tears.-Track listing:All music by Trail of Tears except "Illusion?" by Frank Ørland.All lyrics by R. Thorsen and H...
— was released in that same year, and touring through Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
followed, alongside Tristania
Tristania (band)
Tristania is a band from Norway, formed in 1996 by Morten Veland, Einar Moen and Kenneth Olsson. Tristania's music is usually classified as symphonic gothic metal with doom/death metal influences , due to its strong ties with the goth metal's history...
and The Sins of Thy Beloved
The Sins of Thy Beloved
The Sins Of Thy Beloved is a gothic-doom metal band from Bryne, Norway.- Biography :The band was formed in November 1996 by Glenn Morten Nordbø, Arild Christensen and Stig Johansen. The band was initially called "Purgatory" but they soon decided to change their name to something less common...
.
Profoundemonium, A New Dimension of Might, and Free Fall into Fear (2000 – 2004)
Their second album, ProfoundemoniumProfoundemonium
Profoundemonium is the second studio album by the band Trail of Tears. The cover art was designed by Travis Smith. It is the last album to feature female soprano Helena Iren Michaelsen, who left the band the year this album was made.-Track listing:...
, was released in 2000, and female vocalist Helena Iren Michaelsen left the band soon after, being replaced by Cathrine Paulsen in May of that year. The band proceeded to play in Europe several times during 2000. In the following year they signed a three-album deal with Napalm Records
Napalm Records
Napalm Records is an Austrian independent record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock.Originally, Napalm Records focused mainly on black metal acts such as Abigor and Summoning and folk metal bands such as Falkenbach and Vintersorg....
. Their third release, released in 2002, was entitled A New Dimension of Might
A New Dimension of Might
A New Dimension of Might is the third studio album by the band Trail of Tears. The bonus track is a cover of the song "Caffeine" by the band Faith No More, from their album Angel Dust.-Track listing:# "Ecstatic" – 5:49...
and was produced by Terje Refsnes (producer of Tristania
Tristania (band)
Tristania is a band from Norway, formed in 1996 by Morten Veland, Einar Moen and Kenneth Olsson. Tristania's music is usually classified as symphonic gothic metal with doom/death metal influences , due to its strong ties with the goth metal's history...
, Sirenia
Sirenia (band)
Sirenia is a gothic metal band from Stavanger, Norway which incorporates a mixture of gothic metal and symphonic metal, as well as extreme metal and death metal elements...
and Green Carnation
Green Carnation
Green Carnation is a band from Kristiansand, Norway formed in 1990 that has created songs from both the progressive rock and progressive metal genres. Some also describe their music as art rock...
).
2003 marked the band's first international concert, in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Female vocalist Catherine Paulsen left the band, and male vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (Green Carnation
Green Carnation
Green Carnation is a band from Kristiansand, Norway formed in 1990 that has created songs from both the progressive rock and progressive metal genres. Some also describe their music as art rock...
) joined Trail of Tears. This move prompted several changes in the band's sound, ultimately resulting in the 2004 album Free Fall into Fear
Free Fall into Fear
Free Fall Into Fear is the fourth album by the Norwegian black/gothic metal band Trail of Tears.-Track listing:#"Joyless Trance of Winter" – 4:20#"Carrier of the Scars of Life" – 5:31#"Frail Expectation" – 5:26...
, which was markedly heavier than their previous albums. A tour with Tristania and Therion
Therion (band)
Therion is a Swedish symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987. The word "therion" comes from the Greek therion , meaning "Beast," i.e., that of the Christian Book of Revelation...
followed the album's release.
Existentia and line-up changes (2004 – 2007)
Long term band members Terje Heiseldal and Frank Roald Hagen departed before the recording of the band's fifth album, with Gøran Bomann of Carpathian ForestCarpathian Forest
Carpathian Forest is a Norwegian black metal band formed by Nattefrost and Nordavind in 1990.-Biography:Carpathian Forest emerged with the demo tape "Bloodlust and Perversion" in 1992. In 1993 the band released a second demo: Journey Through the Cold Moors of Svarttjern...
standing in as a session live guitarist. The album was recorded as a five-piece with Runar Hansen recording all guitars and Bernt Moen being brought in as a guest musician to play keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
.
Kjetil Nordhus, Runar Hansen, Kjell Rune Hagen, and Jonathan Perez walked out in November 2006 due to bad organisation leading to monetary loss for all the members of the band and posted a statement on the Trail of Tears' website saying the band had split up. Ronny Thorsen soon issued a statement saying they would in fact be carrying on without them and that they couldn't have chosen a worse time to leave the band due to the upcoming tour for the album Existentia
Existentia
Existentia is the fifth album by the Norwegian black/gothic metal band Trail of Tears. It was released on January 26 and January 30 , 2007....
. All tour dates had to be cancelled.
On February 1, 2007, it was stated that former Trail of Tears vocalist Cathrine Paulsen re-joined the band. The band was also confirmed for 2007's Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival
Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, having featured southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to death metal legends like Obituary.The first...
, which was then followed with an extensive North American headlining tour alongside Echoes of Eternity
Echoes of Eternity
Echoes of Eternity is a band based in Los Angeles. Their debut album The Forgotten Goddess, was released in February 2007 on Nuclear Blast records...
and Unexpect
Unexpect
Unexpect is an avant-garde extreme metal band from Montreal, Canada featuring a unique amalgamation of different styles of music, including black metal, death metal, thrash metal, progressive metal, melodic heavy metal, classical music, dark cabaret, opera, medieval music, jazz, funk, electro,...
.
Bloodstained Endurance (2008 – 2009)
The band entered Soundsuite Studio in Marseille, France with Terje Refsnes on November 3, 2008 to record their sixth studio album. Since then, the band completed recording this album, titled Bloodstained EnduranceBloodstained Endurance
Bloodstained Endurance is the sixth studio album by the Norwegian black/gothic metal band Trail of Tears. It was the first full-length album recorded after Kjetil Nordhus, Runar Hansen, Kjell Rune Hagen and Jonathan Perez left the band in November 2006, forcing frontman Ronny Thorsen to assemble a...
. The album includes 11 songs and a limited edition album with an additional four or five bonus tracks will also be issued. The album was released on May 27, 2009.
New album and guitarist departure (2010 onward)
In July 2010, Trail of Tears announced that guitarist Pål Olsen has left the band due to lack of time and wanting to focus more on his band Guardians of Time. The band will continue as a quintet, and the departure, according to the band, will not affect the upcoming live activity or the progress of the upcoming album.Current members
- Ronny ThorsenRonny ThorsenRonny Thorsen is a Norwegian vocalist most notable for being the harsh vocalist, lyricist, and only constant member of the band Trail of Tears. He has also been a session vocalist for the bands Blood Red Throne and Scariot and was a guest for the band Tristania...
− Vocals (1994-) - Cathrine Paulsen − SopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
vocals (2000–2004, 2007-) - Bjørn Erik Næss − GuitarsElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
(2007-) - Endre Moe − Bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2007-) - Cato Jensen − DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2007-)
Former members
- Ales Vik − soprano vocals (1994–1997)
- Vidar Uleberg − drums (1994–1997)
- Kjell Rune Hagen − bass guitar (1997–2006)
- Frank Roald Hagen − synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s (1997–2006) - Jonathan PérezJonathan Pérez (musician)Jonathan Alejandro Pérez is a Chilean drummer who is currently based in Kristiansand, Norway. He is known for his work with the Norwegian gothic metal and symphonic metal bands Trail of Tears and Sirenia.-Career:...
− drums (1997–2006) - Terje Heiseldal − rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1997–2005) - Helena Iren MichaelsenHelena Iren MichaelsenHelena Iren Michaelsen is a Norwegian soprano, singer of the Dutch band Imperia and her last project Angel, and former vocalist of Sahara Dust and Trail of Tears.- With Trail of Tears :*When Silence Cries... - 1997...
− soprano vocals (1997–2000) - Michael Krumins − lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(1997) - Runar Hansen − lead guitar (1997–2006)
- Kjetil Nordhus − vocals (2003–2006, previously a session member)
- Pål Olsen − guitarsElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
(2007–2010)
Albums
- Disclosure in RedDisclosure in RedDisclosure in Red is the first studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band, Trail of Tears.-Track listing:All music by Trail of Tears except "Illusion?" by Frank Ørland.All lyrics by R. Thorsen and H...
(1998) - ProfoundemoniumProfoundemoniumProfoundemonium is the second studio album by the band Trail of Tears. The cover art was designed by Travis Smith. It is the last album to feature female soprano Helena Iren Michaelsen, who left the band the year this album was made.-Track listing:...
(2000) - A New Dimension of MightA New Dimension of MightA New Dimension of Might is the third studio album by the band Trail of Tears. The bonus track is a cover of the song "Caffeine" by the band Faith No More, from their album Angel Dust.-Track listing:# "Ecstatic" – 5:49...
(2002) - Free Fall into FearFree Fall into FearFree Fall Into Fear is the fourth album by the Norwegian black/gothic metal band Trail of Tears.-Track listing:#"Joyless Trance of Winter" – 4:20#"Carrier of the Scars of Life" – 5:31#"Frail Expectation" – 5:26...
(2005) - ExistentiaExistentiaExistentia is the fifth album by the Norwegian black/gothic metal band Trail of Tears. It was released on January 26 and January 30 , 2007....
(2007) - Bloodstained EnduranceBloodstained EnduranceBloodstained Endurance is the sixth studio album by the Norwegian black/gothic metal band Trail of Tears. It was the first full-length album recorded after Kjetil Nordhus, Runar Hansen, Kjell Rune Hagen and Jonathan Perez left the band in November 2006, forcing frontman Ronny Thorsen to assemble a...
(2009)
External links
- Trail of Tears official website
- Trail of Tears at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Trail of Tears at Napalm RecordsNapalm RecordsNapalm Records is an Austrian independent record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock.Originally, Napalm Records focused mainly on black metal acts such as Abigor and Summoning and folk metal bands such as Falkenbach and Vintersorg....