Trail of Tears

Biography

Trail of Tears is a Norwegian symphonic gothic metal band formed in 1997. Through most of their career the band used contrasting soprano and death grunt vocals, except for the release of Free Fall into Fear in 2005, in which the band switched to tenor and growls, with infrequent soprano passages. The band disbanded in 2013, succeeded by Thorsen's project Viper Solfa. In 2020, they reformed with current and former members, including previous Sirenia vocalist Ailyn.

Formation and Disclosure in Red (1997–2000)

Terje Heiseldal, Kjell Rune Hagen, Jonathan A Perez, Michael Krumins, and Ronny Thorsen formed the band in 1997 after disbanding their previous band Natt. The first demo 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 with Runar Hansen shortly thereafter.
The band signed a two-album contract with DSFA Records. Their debut — Disclosure in Red — was released that year. They toured Europe with Tristania and The Sins of Thy Beloved.

Profoundemonium, A New Dimension of Might, and Free Fall into Fear (2000–2004)

Their second album, Profoundemonium×Profoundemonium18 October 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Countdown to Ruin2:322Driven Through the Ruins5:503Fragile Emotional Disorder6:434Profoundemonium4:555Sign of the Shameless4:086In Frustration's Preludium1:597In Frustration's Web5:048Released at Last6:019Image of Hope3:5210Disappointment's True Face7:3011The Haunted5:02, was released in 2000. Female vocalist Helena Iren Michaelsen left the band soon after. Cathrine Paulsen replaced her in May of that year. The band played in Europe several times during 2000. The following year, they signed a three-album deal with Napalm Records. Their third release, A New Dimension of Might, came out in 2002. Terje Refsnes (producer of Tristania, Sirenia and Green Carnation) produced the album.
The band played their first international concert, in Mexico in 2003. Paulsen left the band, and male vocalist Kjetil Nordhus (Green Carnation) joined Trail of Tears. This move prompted changes in the band's sound, resulting in the 2004 album Free Fall into Fear×Free Fall Into Fear28 February 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Joyless Trance of Winter4:192Carrier of the Scars of Life5:313Frail Expectations5:264Cold Hand of Retribution4:415Watch You Fall4:576The Architect of My Downfall3:417Drink Away the Demons4:178Point Zero3:339Dry Well of Life3:3910The Face of Jealousy4:56, which was heavier than their previous albums. They toured with Tristania and Therion following the album's release.

Existentia and line-up changes (2004–2007)

Terje Heiseldal and Frank Roald Hagen departed before recording the band's fifth album. Gøran Bomann of Carpathian Forest stood in as a session live guitarist. The album was recorded as a five-piece. Runar Hansen recorded all guitars. Bernt Moen was brought in as a guest keyboardist.
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 band members. The band and posted a statement on the Trail of Tears' website, saying the band had split up. Ronny Thorsen issued another statement, saying they would carry on without them, and that their timing couldn't have been worse due to the upcoming tour for the album Existentia×Existentia26 January 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Deceptive Mirrors4:292My Comfort4:373Venom Inside My Veins4:424Decadence Becomes Me4:215She Weaves Shadows4:486The Closing Walls4:517Empty Room4:358Poisonous Tongues4:199As It Penetrates4:1310Shades of Yesterday4:15. All tour dates were cancelled.
On 1 February 2007, vocalist Cathrine Paulsen rejoined the band. The band was confirmed for 2007's Sweden Rock Festival, which was followed with an extensive North American headlining tour alongside Echoes of Eternity and Unexpect.

Bloodstained Endurance (2008–2009)

The band entered Soundsuite Studio in Marseille, France with Terje Refsnes on 3 November 2008 to record their 11-song sixth studio album, Bloodstained Endurance×Bloodstained Endurance27 May 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1The Feverish Alliance4:012Once Kissed by the Serpent (Twice Bitten by Truth)3:213Bloodstained Endurance3:364Triumphant Gleam3:415In the Valley of Ashes3:556A Storm at Will4:007Take Aim, Reclaim, Prevail3:128The Desperation Corridors4:139Farewell to Sanity4:3210Dead End Gaze3:5811Faith Comes Knocking4:32. A limited edition album with an additional four or five bonus tracks was also issued. The album was released on 27 May 2009.

Oscillation, guitarist and drummer departure (2010–2012)

In July 2010, Trail of Tears announced that guitarist Pål Olsen left to focus on his band, Guardians of Time. The band continued as a quintet. The departure, according to the band, did not affect live activity or the progress of the then-upcoming album.
In January 2012, Trail of Tears announced that long-time drummer Cato Jensen left the band. Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow joined the band as the new drummer.
On 11 November 2012, the band revealed the cover artwork, by Jan Yrlund, of their seventh full-length album, Oscillation×Oscillation26 April 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Waves of Existence4:132Scream Out Loud4:373Crimson Leads on the Trail of Tears5:164Oscillation4:275Path of Destruction6:036Vultures Guard My Shadow4:187The Dawning4:128Room 3064:179Our Grave Philosophy4:5310Lost in Life5:1011Eradicate4:1012Sleep Forever4:1613Quick Fix of Shame3:53. Ahead of the release, the band signed to Massacre Records. The album was released on 26 April 2013.

Breakup (2013)

In January 2013, Ronny Thorsen, Endre Moe, and Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow left Trail of Tears. Thorsen was reported as leaving the band, despite being the only constant member since its inception. The remaining members were initially reported to be Cathrine Paulsen and Bjørn Erik Næss. Both parties split acrimoniously. According to Thorsen's Facebook statements, Massacre Records supported him, Moe, and Rønnow. Oscillation would be the final Trail of Tears album. Months later, in 2013, Thorsen, Moe and Rønnow, along with Miriam Renvåg "Sphinx" and Krister Dreyer "Morfeus", formed the band Viper Solfa.

Reformation and Winds of Disdain EP (2020–present)

In October 2020, the band returned with new guitarist Nicolay "Jørni" Johnsen and ex-Sirenia vocalist Ailyn, and were planning new music and anniversary shows where they would play older albums in their entirety.
On January 10, 2024, the band announced they would release the EP Winds of Disdain×Winds of Disdain29 March 2024 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Winds of Disdain4:03, on May 24 via The Circle Music.

Current

Ronny Thorsen − vocals (1997–2013, 2020–present)
Ailyn – clean vocals (2020–present)
Runar Hansen − lead guitar (1997–2007), rhythm guitar (2020–present)
Nicolay "Jørni" Johnsen – lead guitar (2020–present)
Endre Moe − bass (2007–2013, 2020–present)
Jonathan Alejandro Pérez − drums (1997–2007, 2020–present)

Former

Kjell Rune Hagen − bass (1997–2007)
Terje Heiseldal − rhythm guitar (1997–2005)
Frank Roald Hagen − keyboards (1997–2006)
Helena Iren Michaelsen − clean vocals (1997–2000)
Cathrine Paulsen − clean vocals (2000–2003, 2007–2013)
Kjetil Nordhus − clean vocals (2004–2007)
Bjørn Erik Næss − lead guitar (2007–2013)
Cato Jensen − drums (2007–2012)
Pål Olsen − rhythm guitar (2007–2010)
Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow − drums (2012–2013)

Studio albums

Disclosure in Red (1998)
Profoundemonium (2000)
A New Dimension of Might (2002)
Free Fall Into Fear (2005)
Existentia (2007)
Bloodstained Endurance (2009)
Oscillation (2013)