Trail of Tears
Bloodstained Endurance
Rating
Style: Gothic Metal
Release date: June 1st 2009
 

Trail of Tears represents the harder and heavier section of the gothic metal genre, and 'Bloodstained Endurance' is a mature and well crafted album. The beauty is represented by Cathrine Paulsen, who returns - she did the vocals on their 2002 album 'A New Dimension of Myth' as well - and is in clear contrast to bandleader Ronny Thorsen, who represents the beast, the dark and melancholic part of life.

The contrast between Ronny's harsh and aggressive growling and Cathrine's high-pitched vocals works very well, and provides the songs with a lot of diversity. Like so many other bands they aim to find the perfect balance between gothic metal and black symphonic metal with all the clichés that fit that bill.

'Bloodstained Endurance' is a well produced album, produced by Terje Refsnes, an album that manages to merge the two genres with conviction and while it did take me some time to discover the beauty beneath the dark and gloomy surface, I did discover a very solid piece of metal with a lot of power and energy.

Not that remote from what their fellow countrymen in Tristania and Sirenia do, and if you don't mind the aggressive vocals then I suggest you give this one a listen...


Tracklist
01. The Feverish Alliance
02. Once Kissed by the Serpent
(Twice Bitten By the Truth)
03. Bloodstained Endurance
04. Triumphant Gleam
05. In the Valley of Ashes
06. A Storm at Will
07. Take Aim. Reclaim. Prevail
08. The Depression Corridors
09. Farewell to Sanity
10. Dead End Gaze
11. Faith Comes Knocking
Label: Napalm Records
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Reviewed by: Kenn Jensen
Date: June 5th 2009
Website: www.trailoftears.no