The 3rd and the Mortal

Biography

The Third and the Mortal are a Norwegian rock band from Trondheim, founded in 1992. The band started out as doom metal, mixing distorted guitars and heavy drumming with clean guitars and vocals from Kari Rueslåtten. The band went on to experiment with genres such as progressive rock, jazz, ambient, folk and electronica.

History

The pre-history of the band began in 1990, then known as Nightfall and playing melodic death metal, consisting of Rune Hoemsnes, Trond Engum, Geir Nilsen and vocalist Terje Buaas.
In 1992, Kari Rueslåtten replaced Buaas and, together with Jarle Dretvik and Finn Olav Holthe, they became The 3rd and the Mortal. Their first EP, Sorrow×Sorrow1994 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Grevinnens bønn6:152Sorrow2:193Ring of Fire3:544Silently I Surrender8:00, was released in 1994 followed by the album Tears Laid in Earth×Tears Laid in Earth21 October 1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Vandring1:402Why So Lonely5:153Autopoéma4:414Death-Hymn8:255Shaman3:296Trial of Past5:147Lengsel2:078Salva Me4:389Song6:3710In Mist Shrouded5:3611Oceana18:46 in 1994.
After Rueslåtten's departure in 1995, the band had Ann-Mari Edvardsen join as vocalist. With her, the band released full-length albums Painting on Glass×Painting on Glass1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Magma4:262Commemoration5:423Crystal Orchids3:024Persistent and Fleeting6:015White Waters2:536Aurora Borealis1:337Dreamscapes4:338Aurora Australis2:439Azure4:0210Veiled Exposure5:2311Stairs2:2712Eat the Distance7:1413Vavonia, Part II7:2414Horizons7:08 in 1996 and explored an even more experimental sound in 1997 with In This Room. Before In This Room, it was reported that the band's total sales were 50,000.
After the departure of Edvardsen and an absence of five years, the band returned in 2002 with Memoirs, an album with recordings made during previous years. A new female vocalist was found in Kirsti Huke, with Andreas Elvenes backing her up on a couple of tracks. Memoirs differs from previous albums by being more electronic based. After Memoirs, the band played in Mexico City on July 19, 2002, along with eight shows in Germany and the Netherlands during September and October 2002.
In 2004, the band released EPs And Rarities. This is a compilation consisting of the Sorrow and Nightswan×Nightswan1995 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Neurosis10:552From the Depth of Memories4:143The Meadow5:554Vavonia, Part 12:21 EPs, the B-side of the "Stream×Stream1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Stream4:312Horizons (remix)6:38" single and the bonus track from the Japanese In This Room album. In 2005, the band split up, but not before releasing one last album, Project Bluebook: Decade of Endeavour×Project Bluebook: Decade of Endeavour2005 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Drone5:162Sinning5:313Stalker (live)12:354The City (live)5:135Sort of Invisible (live)4:316Autophomea / Improv (live)11:427Simple Mind (live)11:14, a compilation EP with two new studio tracks, another unreleased song performed live in 1998 and four different live versions of Mortal classics recorded on the European tour in 2002.
In late 2024, the band reunited with Kari Rueslåtten ahead of a 2025–2026 tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of the albums Tears Laid in Earth and Sorrow. The first concert announcement was Midgardsblot 2025.

Current

Trond Engum — electric and acoustic guitars (1990–2005, 2024–present)
Geir Nilsen — electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, grand piano (1990–2002, 2003–2005, 2024–present)
Rune Hoemsnes — drums, keyboards, electronic percussion (1990–2005, 2024–present)
Finn Olav Holthe — electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards (1992–2005, 2024–present)
Kari Rueslåtten — vocals (1992–1995, 2024–present); keyboards (1992–1995)
Bernt Rundberget — bass guitar (1993–1999, 2024–present)

Former

Kirsti Huke — vocals (2002–2005)
Terje Buaas — vocals (1990–1992)
Jarle Dretvik — bass guitar (1992–1993)
Ann-Mari Edvardsen — vocals, keyboards (1995–1997)
Sander S. Olsen — keyboards (2002–2003)
Frank Stavem — bass (2002–2005)
Andreas Elvenes — vocals (2002–2005)
Timeline

Studio albums

Tears Laid in Earth (1994)
Painting on Glass (1996)
In This Room (1997)
Memoirs (2002)

Compilations

EP's and Rarities (2004)
Project Bluebook: Decade of Endeavour (2005)