Trail of Tears - A New Dimension of Might (2002)^{Release ID: 9734}

Trail of Tears started off with their first two albums Disclosure in Red and Profoundemonium, both with female vocalist Helena Iren Michaelsen. Helena left the band in the time between the recording and the release of the latter album. She would later briefly join Dutch symphonic metallers Epica (then named Sahara Dust). While Helena was great at her singing, her replacement Cathrine Paulsen is more top-notch! She can perform operatic soprano and rock-like singing in a greater perfect balance.

I still can't believe how unheard this underrated album is. Sure this blackened symphonic gothic metal sound may turn away purists, but it works well and shouldn't be ignored. The normally tiring Beauty and the Beast style of vocals is actually quite strong, from Cathrine and Ronny Thorsen. Plus some nice cleans by Kjetil Nordhus.

The opening track "Ecstatic" kicks things off with lots of different vocalists, starting with a male choir, before the aforementioned 3 vocalists perform their respective parts. The choir sounds so emotionless yet they paint the atmosphere with emotion. You don't really hear a lot of extreme gothic metallers add electronic synth effects to turn this place into a haunted carnival, but it's what they do in that epic banger. And that's just the beginning of the adventure... "A Fate Sealed in Red" seals that eerie stylistic motive further, with the orchestrated synths and female singing not too far off from Dark Moor at that time. "Crashing Down" crashes through and speeds along as if you're in a deadly maze trying to find a way out. "Obedience in the Absence of Logic" has nothing absent in the sound the band has constructed.

"Liquid View" brings back some of the melodeath from the first two albums, though of course, it's never the fast thrashy style ala The Haunted/Disarmonia Mundi. Then we head into "Denial and Pride" which is exceptional but barely reaching standout status. "The Call of Lust" is filled with gothic energy, fitting with its title.

"Splendid Coma Visions" has the strongest synergy in music and lyrics to make this song memorable. You can't help but shout along to the "DIE!" bridge and risk sounding like a psycho. While the growls sound electronic, there isn't much vocal distortion involved. "Bloodred Trance" closes the original album in mighty drama. The bonus Faith No More cover "Caffeine" is an odd choice for a serious band, but I'm glad they had fun. Kjetil's cleans are f***ing spot on, and Mike Patton would certainly praise that cover.

All in all, A New Dimension of Might is worth getting for some epic extreme gothic metal treats. Cathrine left the band after this album, but she would come back for the one-two glory punch of Bloodstained Endurance and Oscillation. And in between are two albums with a different side of Trail of Tears. Step into this dark dimension!

Favorites: "Ecstatic", "A Fate Sealed in Red", "Liquid View", "Splendid Coma Visions", "Bloodred Trance"