Trail of Tears (band)
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| Trail Of Tears | |
|---|---|
| Country | Kristiansand, Norway |
| Years active | 1997 – present |
| Genres | Gothic metal |
| Members | Ronny Thorsen Terje Heiseldal Frank-Roald Hagen |
Trail of Tears was a Norwegian gothic metal band originally formed in 1994 under the name of Natt. Through most of their career the band emphasised the use of constrasting soprano and death grunt vocals, but with the release of Free Fall Into Fear — in 2004 — the band switched this contrast mostly to tenor and death growls, with rare soprano passages. Trail of Tears broke up on November 28, 2006 due to the departure of several members. All of their tour dates were canceled.
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[edit] History
The band's initial name was Natt, but 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 demo the band recorded was When Silence Cries..., which contained three tracks and was released in April of 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 albums with Dutch recording 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.
Their second album, Profoundemonium, 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 was entitled A New Dimension of Might and was produced by Terje Refsnes (producer of Tristania, Sirenia and Green Carnation), the album was released in 2002.
2003 marked the band's first international concert, in Mexico. Female vocalist Catherine Paulsen left the band, and male vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (ex-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.
Four band members walked out in November 2006 and posted a statement on the Trail of Tears' website saying the band had split up. Ronny Thorsen soon issued a statment saying they would in fact be carrying on without them.
[edit] Line-up
[edit] Current members
- Ronny Thorsen - Vocals
- Terje Heiseldal - Rhythm guitar
- Frank Roald Hagen - Synthesisers
[edit] Former members
- Jonathan Perez - Drums
- Kjell Rune Hagen - Bass
- Kjetil Nordhus - Vocals
- Runar Hansen - Lead guitar
- Ales Vik - Vocals in the initial line-up of the band, replaced by Helena Iren Michaelsen in 1997.
- Helena Iren Michaelsen - Soprano vocals, left after Profoundemonium, replaced by Cathrine Paulsen.
- Cathrine Paulsen - Soprano vocals, parted with the band after A New Dimension of Might, and was not replaced.
- Vidar Uleberg - Drummer in the early line-up, replaced by Jonathan Perez.
- Michael Krumins - Lead guitarist in the early line-up, replaced by Runar Hansen.
[edit] Discography
- Natt (Demo, 1996)
- When Silence Cries... (Demo, 1997)
- Disclosure In Red (1998)
- Profoundemonium (2000)
- A New Dimension of Might (2002)
- Free Fall Into Fear (2005)
- Existentia (2007)
