Year: 2024
Total Time: 17.38
Label: The Circle Music
A few months ago we had a very interesting return of the Norwegian Gothic / Symphonic metallers TRAIL OF TEARS since they released their new EP entitled “Winds Of Disdain”, eleven years after their last studio album, “Oscillation” (2013) and a long hiatus. In 2020 they were re-activated by Ronny Thorsen (growl vocals) with a renewed line-up that even includes Ailyn Gimenez, the – for an eight-year period – former vocalist of SIRENIA but also several of the members from their first period. The EP was released by the Greek label The Circle Music.
“Winds Of Disdain” includes four songs that remind us a lot of SIRENIA especially from their first albums. After all, Ailyn’s voice has been associated with SIRENIA (although she didn’t participate in the first albums) and the influences are obviously similar between the two bands. The first title track gives a direct indication of the almost retro alternation between the symphonic elements and the gothic aesthetics without missing some modern touches like the use of soft keyboards. The next song, “Take These Tears” ,starts with an excellent, melodic introduction where the classical guitar prevails and gives the impression that we have a nice ballad…but this feeling lasts less than 30 seconds as the song quickly provides the listener with musical information. Fast drums, a pompous choral part, aggressive growl vocals from Thorsen and a catchy chorus from the ethereal Ailyn…a recipe for a successful concert hit. On “No Colors Left” the pace drops though it retains many of the characteristics of “Take These Tears” especially with the laid back intro. The roles between Ailyn and Thorsen are reversed and clean vocals are heard first followed by growl screams. Finally, “Blood Red Halo”, less sophisticated but just as good, is probably the only song on the EP where both singers have equal roles and are even willing to experiment.
In general, TRAIL OF TEARS managed to release an EP with four different songs, trying to find out which direction they want to move in. Towards the more typical path of “Winds of Disdain” or the more modern and “into your face” aesthetic of “Blood Red Halo”? Maybe towards the musical variety of “Take These Tears” or the progressive approach of “No Colors Left”? That remains to be seen on their first full length release which hopefully will come soon.
Rating: 7,5/10
Editor: Kostas Boudoukos
Related Link: TRAIL OF TEARS – Facebook Page
