Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Trail of Tears - Winds of Disdain (2024)

The musical journey of Trail of Tears was filled with sorrow (Helena Iren Michaelsen era), darkness (A New Dimension of Might), violence (Kjetil Nordhus era), and accessible glory (Cathrine Paulsen's second era). It really is a shame that the band fell apart after Bloodstained Endurance and Oscillation. The talented voice of Cathrine can't be found anywhere besides this band and Lucid Fear. During the split, Ronny Thorsen was in a different band, Viper Solfa.

And now these extreme gothic metallers are reborn! Two singles were released, leading up to the EP Winds of Disdain. Their greatness is still in full force, but a new female vocalist has stepped in, Ailyn (ex-Sirenia). Here we have crushing guitars, bombastic symphonics, bass/drum assaults, and cool synth effects to reminds us who they are.

"Winds of Disdain" launches into heaviness right away, in which the B-flat-tuned drilling guitars made me think of 2010s Wage War and the growls that fit amongst the thrashy pace reminded me of Sylosis. But when the orchestration and Ailyn's serene vocals appear, you know it's Trail of Tears, back with a vengeance. Beautiful acoustics begin "Take These Tears", a brief throwback to Disclosure in Red, before more of the heaviness. This also occurs in "No Colours Left" before more of the downtuned metalcore-ish riffing of Architects and Protest the Hero that again leads to Ailyn's singing. We also hear the band's earlier raw bass in "Blood Red Halo" that I want more of in their possible next album.

All in all, Winds of Disdain proves that the band hasn't lost any steam after that long gap since their last album. I look forward to if the band ever makes a new album with this kind of sound plus more of the occasional acoustic section and audible bass. An absolute must for any symphonic gothic metal fan. Oscillation wasn't their final stand after all!

Favorites: "Winds of Disdain", "No Colours Left"