Trail of Tears saw the light of day in 1997, up until then some of the band members had spent a couple of years experimenting under the name of Natt. After carving out their musical direction, the name Trail of Tears was instituted in the beginning of 1997 and a 3 track demotape entitled “When Silence Cries…” was recorded shortly after in Jailhouse Studio to great acclaim. The demo prompted a spew of contractual offers from labels around the world and in early 1998 the band signed a two-album deal with Dutch label DSFA Records. Trail of Tears once again entered Jailhouse Studio in Norway to record their debut album “Disclosure in Red“, which saw the light of day in November 1998. Heavy touring followed, including European tours and shows with among others Tristania, The Sins of thy Beloved, Cradle of Filth, Biohazard and several other bands. The touring cyclus was crowned with a victorious performance at Holland´s Dynamo Open Air festival in front of 25 000 people.
Immidiately after, the band started work on the follow-up album and having spent the latter part of 1999 crafting the songs, they entered Jailhouse Studio to record “Profoundemonium“, which was licensed to Napalm Records outside of the Benelux countries, and released in 2000. The band continued to stay active on the touring circuit, completing several European rounds and performing at festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Quart Festival, Eurorock and Metal Dayz to name but a few.
In the summer of 2001, the band signs a 3 album deal with Austria´s Napalm Records, entering Soundsuite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes in February 2002. The band records nine tracks, as well as a cover of Faith No More´s “Caffeine” for the limited edition version of the monstrous and highly successful third album, “A New Dimension of Might“. A very busy touring schedule starts, including full tours and numerous shows in Europe, as well as the first full Mexican tour in June 2003.
After spending over a year on the song-writing process for the fourth album, the band opted for a heavier and more extreme approach which can clearly be heard on “Free Fall into Fear“, which was released February 28, 2005 by Napalm Records. The effort was recorded in Dub Studio in Kristiansand, Norway and to promote the album, the band completed a very successful tour with Therion and Tristania which took the band to 14 European countries. The band also hit the festival circuit again, playing among others Germany’s Summer Breeze festival.
It did not take long until the band resumed work on their song-writing and almost 12 months were spent crafting what was to become the most mature and adventurous album to date, “Existentia“. The album saw Trail of Tears once again returning to Soundsuite Studio with producer Terje Refsnes in the summer of 2006.
The album features guest performances by Norwegian keyboard wizard Bernt Moen and French singer Emmanuelle Zoldan (now Sirenia). Prior to the release, the band embarks on the second Mexican tour, an experience which was unfortunately ridden with problems due to severe neglect from promoters and organizer. As a result, founding member Ronny Thorsen found himself in need of replacing members and putting together a new line-up.
“Existentia” was released by Napalm Records in January 2007 to much acclaim and overwhelming reviews. The band follows up with further touring, most importantly with their first ever North American tour, playing nearly 30 shows across the US as well as Canada and Mexico. Summer 2008 also sees the band playing more festivals then ever before, including among others Wave Gothik Treffen and Metal Mania Open Air.
In between destroying stages across the globe, the band continued to write material for what became their sixth full length album. With new-found energy, power and a whole new level of self-confidence, the band heads down to Southern France to join forces with Terje Refsnes again at his Soundsuite Studio, and six weeks are spent recording the monster that is “Bloodstained Endurance“. Yet again the band embarks on a heavy touring schedule, including numerous festivals and European dates.
Having completed the recording contract with Napalm Records, the band signed to Massacre Records prior to embarking on the song-writing process for the seventh album, entitled “Oscillation”. Both the writing- and record process proved difficult and it became inevitable that the band could not continue in its current shape and form. The album was eventually released and the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2013.
Fast forward to 2020, founding member Ronny Thorsen finally initiated a reformation of the band, combining both original members and long-running collaborators, completed by acclaimed singer Ailyn Gimenez (ex-Sirenia). After battling the pandemic and ensuing uncertainties, the band is finally able to announce its signing to Greek label The Circle Music for a new EP and following fullenght album, a series of vinyl re-releases, as well as a return to the live circuit. The band is fully recharged and stronger than ever!
Line up:
Ronny Thorsen – vocals
AilynGiménez García – vocals
Runar Hansen – guitars
Nicolay Jørni Johnsen – guitars and programming
Endre Moe – bass
