01. Waves Of Existence 02. Scream Out Loud 03. Crimson Leads On The Trail Of Tears 04. Oscillation 05. Path Of Destruction 06. Vultures Guard My Shadow 07. The Dawning 08. Room 306 09. Our Grave Philosophy 10. Lost In Life 11. Eradicate 12. Sleep Forever [bonus] 13. Quick Fix Of Shame [bonus]
Additional info Recorded at Soundsuite Studio, Marseille-France September/October 2011.
Produced by Terje Refsnes and Trail of Tears. Co-produced by Audun Grønnestad.
Engineered by Terje Refsnes.
Mixed at Mayhem Music Studios, Kristiansand, Norway during various intervals in 2012.
Mixed by Audun Grønnestad, Bjørn Erik Næss and Catherine Paulsen.
Mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios, Finland in December 2012.
Cover concept and handwritten lyrics by Catherine Paulsen.
Cover art, design, layout and photography by Jan "Örkki" Yrlund (darkgrove.net).
I was surprised by the last Trail Of Tears album more than I could hope for. After all, when I say the last, I mean the last. Supposedly there's not going to be another one after Oscillation. Rarely have problems within a band and a subsequent break-up had much to offer in terms of musical satisfaction. Oftentimes, it's a rather painful time spent on the porcelain throne as opposed to baking a delicious cake in the oven. Given the perspective, Oscillation was indeed a pleasant surprise.
Very disappointed with this one. Only the title track 'Oscillation' and 'Our Grave Philosophy' really held my attention. Previous works are so much better imo. Gets better towards the end though.
A big disappointment. The title song was very promising, and I thought we would get something in the vein of old Tristania, however it appears to be very dull and uninspiring.
I was thinking the same way as most of you, guys, at first few listens but now I am starting to really dig this album. I don't know, maybe it's one of those releases that needs time to get into. Yesterday I listened to it very carefully and it's indeed a truly nice, sadly, last effort of a good band. There are a lot of little details in it and interesting melodies and I can't call it uninspiring at all. A solid 8 from me. Maybe will be even better after a while.
What are you guys smoking? This album is amazing IMO. I never get into an album the first time listening to it, but in the first listen my ears were listening to musical gold. My only complaint was too little Ronny, a lot of Catherine. I like her voice but the main reason I got into this band was because it was more of a duet effort and less of a "I want to sing more than you," which might have been one of the reasons one of my favorite bands disbanded.
Well worth the wait. It could have been a bit heavier, but all in all, I can tell I will be raping the play button on this one.
What are you guys smoking? This album is amazing IMO. I never get into an album the first time listening to it, but in the first listen my ears were listening to musical gold. My only complaint was too little Ronny, a lot of Catherine. I like her voice but the main reason I got into this band was because it was more of a duet effort and less of a "I want to sing more than you," which might have been one of the reasons one of my favorite bands disbanded.
Well worth the wait. It could have been a bit heavier, but all in all, I can tell I will be raping the play button on this one.
I'm a fan of Trail of Tears and I still can't get into this one (even after at least 4 listens). I stand by my score. That does not mean you don't have to agree with me
Also needs more Ronny like you say, he was one of the main draws of the band to me. Trail of Tears is not Trail of Tears without him, although it is the duo with Catherine or Kjetil that completed it.
What are you guys smoking? This album is amazing IMO. I never get into an album the first time listening to it, but in the first listen my ears were listening to musical gold. My only complaint was too little Ronny, a lot of Catherine. I like her voice but the main reason I got into this band was because it was more of a duet effort and less of a "I want to sing more than you," which might have been one of the reasons one of my favorite bands disbanded.
Well worth the wait. It could have been a bit heavier, but all in all, I can tell I will be raping the play button on this one.
I'm a fan of Trail of Tears and I still can't get into this one (even after at least 4 listens). I stand by my score. That does not mean you don't have to agree with me
Also needs more Ronny like you say, he was one of the main draws of the band to me. Trail of Tears is not Trail of Tears without him, although it is the duo with Catherine or Kjetil that completed it.
I was not aware that they had to finish it without Ronny. I knew they disbanded, but didn't know it was before the completion of the album. It's pretty strange to me that not a lot of people are enjoying it. Day 1 I was hooked. It's been 2 weeks since the release and for the life of me, I just can't listen to anything else. I MISS THIS ALBUM when it's not playing. There is not 1 song I don't like.
Sucks you don't enjoy it, but thanks for being respectful of others' ratings and not disparaging those with differing opinions. Have a great one!
Well, a step downwards compared to their previous two albums, still, this one is far better than Free Fall Into Fear. The rating should've been around the 7.8 mark, it ain't such a bad album, after a couple of spins some songs really stick out. Too bad this band is gone... only they and Tristania still represented the original gothic metal scene that incorporated the "beauth and the beast" concept.
I must admit, this album came as a real disappointment to me. Somehow not a single song managed to touch me and/or leave a trace in my memory. Maybe it's for the face that Catherine sings most of the vocals parts. While she has a good voice, still Trail Of Tears is not Within Temptation or Delain and harsh vocals always were an essential part of the band's music. If I'd have to put my impression of "Oscillation" in a few words, I found it lacking aggression and impact.
P.S. Oh, and good luck to Ronny with his new band. Whatever it may be, I hope it won't suffer as many line-up changes as this one.
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"And we are not who we think we are
We are who we're afraid to be"
- Lux Occulta "The Opening of Eleventh Sephirah"
Parts of this album are amazing (many) and parts of this album are total crap (a few). Still deciding where I ultimately stand with it. In the meantime, enjoying the good parts!
So, why did the band stay in semi-disbanded status for so long, then finally release an album, then break up? I don't even know if I want to know the drama behind them!
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"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Parts of this album are amazing (many) and parts of this album are total crap (a few). Still deciding where I ultimately stand with it. In the meantime, enjoying the good parts!
So, why did the band stay in semi-disbanded status for so long, then finally release an album, then break up? I don't even know if I want to know the drama behind them!
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"Another day, another Doug."
"I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples."
" 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
Ronny and two other Trail of Tears members are now involved in a project called Viper Solfa, I've linked a video below and a quote directly from facebook
Great to see them back on the scene so soon!
Quote: Ronny Thorsen (Trail of Tears), Miriam "Sphinx" Renvåg (Ram-Zet, EndLing ), Morfeus (Mayhem, Limbonic Art, Dimension F3H), Endre Moe (Trail of Tears, Dimension F3H, Cutthroat) and Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow (Trail of Tears, Sphere) have joined forces under the banner VIPER SOLFA, bringing their diverse backgrounds together to create a new brand of extreme metal. The band is currently working on material for the debut album, for which the recording process will start shortly.
I prefer the bonus tracks. they are better than some regular tracks.
Only just heard them, Sleep Forever is good but I didn't like the other one at all. Either way they should have just left them on the album and not as bonus