Methinks that Trail of Tears are severely underrated. I hardly hear anyone mention them nowadays, and the band has managed to keep a low profile over the past several years. Fortunately, one may compare them to a bevy of other groups in an attempt to flesh out similarities.

For example, “Joyless Trance of Winter” has clean vocal lines that parallel the vocalizations of Green Carnation. The growls are in the same vein as perhaps Dark Tranquillity, Soilwork, or anyone of that persuasion. The music, however, is keyboard-laden and brings plenty of punch to the proverbial, dinner table. “Carriers of the Scars of Life” actually has a Pantera-esque main riff that – naturally – conjures images of the recently fallen guitarist. Needless to say, Trail of Tears’s output has always been laced with melancholia, which is definitely welcome in metal; after all, it’s a concept that is universally identifiable. “Frail Expectations,” for me, is the most interesting piece because its beginning is basically an update of the style Lengsel were perfecting back in ’98 when “Solace” debuted. Conversely, “Cold Hand of Retribution” is a very fast rendering of black metal, until the operatic vox enter the friendly melee. And, “The Architect of My Downfall” weaves a pattern not unlike the aforementioned composition.

In spite of all I’ve said, I think I would prefer Trail of Tears much more if they tastefully lessened the clean vocalizations. Aside from that detraction, the Scandinavians have crafted an album that deserves at least some undivided attention. Give them that, and hope that we won’t be seeing them on TRL anytime soon.

[This review was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]