Trail of Tears - Bloodstained Endurance
Napalm Records - 2009
By Jen Larner
Sitting in the silent area of your nearest library, youll feel pretty smug about getting away with listening to this album. Does this sum up the vibe of the record? Unfortunately, yes.
Bloodstained Endurance has got all the makings of a great record: melodic and harmonic guitar riffs, skilled drumming, male and female vocalists. All very good and listenable. The 11 tracks dont progress however, and youre left listening to song after song of monotony.
The most notable elements of the release are not negatives. The synthed string sounds used in tracks like 'Once Kissed By The Serpent' and 'Triumphant Gleam' really let Trail of Tears down. 'A Storm At Will' is the lightest song on the album, placed predictably in the middle of the list. Having said that, 'Take Aim. Reclaim. Prevail.', which is up next shows some hope with strong harmonic male vocals to kick it off.
Thinking about seeing these tracks live, youd hope Napalm Records would pay out for a massive live string section and numerous backing singers, but lets think about this realistically, they probably wont. After quite so long crafting albums and taking their music on the road, Trail of Tears seem to have forgotten how much money would need to go into making the most of their tracks.
For middle of the road, put it on while you do some reading, music listen to it. If you like something a little more edgy this is certainly not for you.
Official Trail Of Tears website
Official Trail Of Tears Myspace
Official Napalm Records website
Napalm Records - 2009
By Jen Larner
Sitting in the silent area of your nearest library, youll feel pretty smug about getting away with listening to this album. Does this sum up the vibe of the record? Unfortunately, yes.
Bloodstained Endurance has got all the makings of a great record: melodic and harmonic guitar riffs, skilled drumming, male and female vocalists. All very good and listenable. The 11 tracks dont progress however, and youre left listening to song after song of monotony.
The most notable elements of the release are not negatives. The synthed string sounds used in tracks like 'Once Kissed By The Serpent' and 'Triumphant Gleam' really let Trail of Tears down. 'A Storm At Will' is the lightest song on the album, placed predictably in the middle of the list. Having said that, 'Take Aim. Reclaim. Prevail.', which is up next shows some hope with strong harmonic male vocals to kick it off.
Thinking about seeing these tracks live, youd hope Napalm Records would pay out for a massive live string section and numerous backing singers, but lets think about this realistically, they probably wont. After quite so long crafting albums and taking their music on the road, Trail of Tears seem to have forgotten how much money would need to go into making the most of their tracks.
For middle of the road, put it on while you do some reading, music listen to it. If you like something a little more edgy this is certainly not for you.
Official Trail Of Tears website
Official Trail Of Tears Myspace
Official Napalm Records website
