Trail of Tears is a band from Kristiansand, Norway that played a blend of g… Read Full Bio ↴Trail of Tears is a band from Kristiansand, Norway that played a blend of gothic metal and symphonic black metal. The band was formed in 1994 under the name of Natt (Norwegian for "Night"), but later changed its name to Trail of Tears in 1997, to reflect changes in sound and line-up. The band disbanded in 2013.

Through most of their career the band emphasized the use of contrasting soprano vocals and death grunt vocals, but with the release of Free Fall into Fear — in 2005 — the band switched this contrast mostly to tenor vocals and death growls, with rare soprano passages.

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 the members of the band and posted a statement on the Trail of Tears' website saying the band had split up. Ronny Thorsen soon issued a statement saying they would in fact be carrying on without them and that they couldn't have chosen a worse time to leave the band due to the upcoming tour for the album Existentia. All tour dates had to be canceled.

On February 1, 2007 it was stated that former Trail of Tears vocalist Cathrine Paulsen re-joined the band. The band was also confirmed for 2007's Sweden Rock Festival, which was then followed with an extensive North American headlining tour alongside Echoes of Eternity and Unexpect.

In August 2008, the band announced that they will enter Soundsuite Studio in Marseille, France with Terje Refsnes on November 3, 2008 to record their sixth studio album. Ronny Thorsen says that there are fourteen songs ready, with an additional four or five on the drawing board. The album was released in 2009.

The band's final album, Oscillation, was released in 2013.

Current members:
* Ronny Thorsen - Vocals - (Session for Blood Red Throne, Scariot, Tristania)
* Cathrine Paulsen - Soprano vocals - (Lucid Fear)
* Bjørn Erik Næss - Guitars - (Panomania, Lucid Fear)
* Pål Olsen - Guitars - (Guardians Of Time)
* Endre Moe - Bass - (Cutthroat (Nor), Dimension F3H (Live))
* Cato Jensen - Drums - (Cutthroat (Nor), Lucid Fear, Sarcoma Inc., Dimension F3H (Live))

Former members:
* Jonathan Perez - Drums - (Sirenia, Sonido Latino)
* Kjell Rune Hagen - Bass
* Kjetil Nordhus - Vocals - (Chain Collector, Green Carnation)
* Runar Hansen - Lead guitar
* Terje Heiseldal - Rhythm guitar
* Frank Roald Hagen - Synthesisers
* Ales Vik - Soprano vocals
* Helena Iren Michaelsen - Soprano vocals - (Black Widow, Imperia, Angel, ex-Sahara Dust)
* Vidar Uleberg
* Michael Krumins - Lead guitar

Albums:
1998 - Disclosure In Red
2000 - Profoundemonium
2002 - A New Dimension of Might
2005 - Free Fall Into Fear
2007 - Existentia
2009 - Bloodstained Endurance
2013 - Oscillation

Demos:
1996 - Natt
1997 - When Silence Cries...

Official site: www.trailoftears.no

As It Penetrates
Trail of Tears Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Hansen, K.R. Hagen, Thorsen, Nordhus. Lyrics: Thorsen, Nordhus)

When your thoughts are carried
down the savage filthy lane
and winter flushes feelings down the drain
Let me be the one who pulls you towards the sun
Let me be the one
to chase your demons on the run

(Chorus:)

The future is memories to be shared
and we know those memories will remain
The more I try, the more I love
and the more I do makes the demons fly
and the day you die
will even make the flowers cry

Venomous feelings as your thoughts are dragged
through the smoke of life
As it penetrates it's time to cease the day
Intoxication to control the hate
Whatever comes will kill your faith
Leave it be
and pour the blame all over me

(Chorus)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Trail of Tears's song "As It Penetrates" speak of a nihilistic worldview and a desperate attempt to escape existential pain. The opening lines describe a state of emotional decay and despair, with recurring thoughts being pushed down a "savage filthy lane." The imagery of winter flushing away feelings emphasizes the transience and hopelessness of emotions. However, in the second verse, the singer offers hope to the person experiencing this despair, promising to be the one to pull them towards the sun and away from their demons. The chorus speaks of the value of shared memories, contrasting the fleeting nature of life with the lasting impact of experiences we have with others.

The final verse suggests that this despair cannot be escaped easily. The imagery of "venomous" feelings suggests a toxic, corrosive effect on the psyche, and the line "as it penetrates, it's time to cease the day" suggests that the only way to end the pain is through death. However, the singer offers an alternative to this fatalistic mindset, suggesting that the person should "leave it be" and "pour the blame all over me." This self-sacrifice and offer of support embodies the message of the song - while life may be difficult and painful, we can find comfort and meaning in sharing its joys and sorrows with others.

Line by Line Meaning

When your thoughts are carried
When your mind is burdened

down the savage filthy lane
with negative and impure thoughts

and winter flushes feelings down the drain
and sadness takes over your emotions

Let me be the one who pulls you towards the sun
Let me be the one who guides you towards happiness

Let me be the one
Let me be there for you

to chase your demons on the run
to help you overcome your inner struggles

The future is memories to be shared
Our future consists of moments to be cherished and remembered

and we know those memories will remain
and those memories will stay with us forever

The more I try, the more I love
The harder I work, the more I care

and the more I do makes the demons fly
and my efforts help me overcome my inner struggles

and the day you die
Even after you pass away