On the lookout for some new quality Gothic Metal? Well here's one for you, Bloodstained Endurance from the Norwegian band Trail Of Tears, a group which started out in 1997. Bloodstained Endurance is their sixth album, after 2007's Existentia which featured a major change, with Ronny Thorsen having to find a new line-up for that album. Bloodstained Endurance is indeed a fine gathering of strong metal tunes, by a band that sounds energized and ready for action.
Both Ronny Thorsen and Catherine Paulsen deliver with their different yet powerful vocals, and they are complemented throughout the CD by Trail Of Tears' skilled line-up of Bjorn Erik Naess and Pal Olsen on Guitars, Endre Moe on Bass and drummer Cato Jensen.
Opening with "The Feverish Alliance", Trail Of Tears music builds from a quiet orchestral start into a metal onslaught, and following track "Once Kissed by the Serpent (Twice Bitten by Truth)" see Ronny's angry growls send this heavy number into motion. Bloodstained Endurance is an enticing slice of dark and heavy Gothic Metal, Trail Of Tears has been through some rough times, but on listening they sound like a band that's been together for many years. I will be acquiring a copy without the voiceovers this promo has, so I can exprience this one without interuptions.
Track list:
1. The Feverish Alliance
2. Once Kissed by the Serpent (Twice Bitten by Truth)
3. Bloodstained Endurance
4. Triumphant Gleam
5. In the Valley of Ashes
6. A Storm at Will
7. Take Aim. Reclaim. Prevail
8. The Desperation Corridors
9. Farewell to Sanity
10. Dead End Gaze
11. Faith Comes Knocking
12. Onward March the Merciless