Trail Of Tears – Oscillation

Releasedate: 26-04-2013; Label: Napalm Records
By: Martine Goffard

The Norwegian band Trail Of Tears has released its final album. “Oscillation” is the seventh opus of the band, formed in 1997, who recently split after that their singer Ronny Thorsen decided to leave.

I am not familiar with the band and this last album was an introduction to Trail Of Tears. The band sounds average good gothic metal, with the classic soprano female, the vocalist Catherine Paulsen, and the dark male voice, Ronny Thorsen, in the background. Every song has been worked and polished to the limits and is full with arrangements, crescendos and intros. The result is impressive and not too commercial. There is a clear contrast between the songs. Sometime it’s raging, thumping metal, with distorted guitars and exploding bass. Sometime it’s a magical atmosphere, all in sweetness and keyboard. Catherine Paulsen has a great voice range and put emotion in her effects. Oscillation has an outstanding epic chorus. Yet, the album seems a bit dull… until you reach Lost In Life. Maybe this song was more personal or directly related to their experience, even if pessimism and anger are all over the album, but it definitely gets out of the lot. It’s a beautiful song that you can play over and over again. “Oscillation” is a decent album, even if a bit disappointing for a swan song. This band could easily have left the scene in a grandiloquent apotheosis.

Line up:
Ronny Thorsen – Vocals
Cathrine Paulsen – Vocals
Bjørn Erik Næss – Guitars
Endre Moe – Bass Guitars
Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow – Drums

Tracklist: 01. Waves Of Existence 02. Scream Out Loud 03. Crimson Leads On The Trail Of Tears 04. Oscillation 05. Path Of Destruction 06. Vultures Guard My Shadow 07. The Dawning 08. Room 306 09. Our Grave Philosophy 10. Lost In Life 11. Eradicate 12. Sleep Forever (bonus) 13. Quick Fix Of Shame (bonus)

Links:
Trail Of Tears Facebook