| Interview with: Ronny Thorsen By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: A few months ago Trail of Tears
released the Existentia album. What can you tell me
about this particular release and how has the album
been perceived so far?
released the Existentia album. What can you tell me
about this particular release and how has the album
been perceived so far?
Ronny Thorsen: Well the album has been out for a
couple of months now and seems to be doing great.
We were a bit uncertain about what kind of effect it
would have on the release that certain members
decided to leave the band shortly before it hit the
streets but fortunately it seems that if anything, the
whole situation has only generated more interest
towards the band and the album itself. I must admit that
I`m very proud of what we have accomplished this time
and for me it is by far our best album to date. It is a
more focused effort with a stronger identity, more
melodic, more symphonic and in a way I regard the
album to be a great mix of old and new Trail of Tears.
couple of months now and seems to be doing great.
We were a bit uncertain about what kind of effect it
would have on the release that certain members
decided to leave the band shortly before it hit the
streets but fortunately it seems that if anything, the
whole situation has only generated more interest
towards the band and the album itself. I must admit that
I`m very proud of what we have accomplished this time
and for me it is by far our best album to date. It is a
more focused effort with a stronger identity, more
melodic, more symphonic and in a way I regard the
album to be a great mix of old and new Trail of Tears.
Blissfulviolet: What did you enjoy most about making this album?
Ronny: Hard to say as I find pleasure in several stages when making an album. I guess the biggest satisfaction for me this
time is that we managed to keep the focus and create an album that sounds fresh and strong from start to finish. We were
able to not only reach the goals we set for ourselves early in the process but also exceeded them. I also have to point out
the recording process this time, which really went smooth and without problems of any kind. It felt very refreshing to work in
such an environment as the case is in Sound Suite Studio in France and with Terje Refsnes producing again it felt much
easier and relaxed compared to the previous recording. Just the fact that we could allow ourselves to put all other aspects
of our lives on hold for six weeks and just concentrate on the album helped a lot and benefited the final result.
time is that we managed to keep the focus and create an album that sounds fresh and strong from start to finish. We were
able to not only reach the goals we set for ourselves early in the process but also exceeded them. I also have to point out
the recording process this time, which really went smooth and without problems of any kind. It felt very refreshing to work in
such an environment as the case is in Sound Suite Studio in France and with Terje Refsnes producing again it felt much
easier and relaxed compared to the previous recording. Just the fact that we could allow ourselves to put all other aspects
of our lives on hold for six weeks and just concentrate on the album helped a lot and benefited the final result.
Blissfulviolet: Describe for us some of the lyrical themes that are present in the Existentia album?
Ronny: Existentia as a title pretty much sums up the lyrics in many ways. There are a lot of existential questions and
thoughts included, we are not talking about a concept but many lyrics have at least some of the same elements, or call it
guidelines if you wish. I`m not too fond of talking about details, my impression is that those of the listeners who are
genuinely interested in the lyrical part of the album prefer to read them themselves instead of me feeding them with details
or tell them how to think. It is an individual thing, at least to me.
thoughts included, we are not talking about a concept but many lyrics have at least some of the same elements, or call it
guidelines if you wish. I`m not too fond of talking about details, my impression is that those of the listeners who are
genuinely interested in the lyrical part of the album prefer to read them themselves instead of me feeding them with details
or tell them how to think. It is an individual thing, at least to me.
Blissfulviolet: Female vocalist Cathrine Paulsen has returned to Trails of Tears and It must be great to have her back.
How this come about?
How this come about?
Ronny: I contacted Cathrine after some of the other members left the band as I wanted to clear a couple of things from my
side. Even though there were never any bad feelings or vibe between us after she left the band the first time, I still felt that
there were a couple of unanswered questions left to solve and at least talk about. At first my only intention was to
re-establish the contact with her but it soon became clear that we both wanted to co-operate again and pick up from where
we left. It has indeed been great to have her back, she is an amazing singer and would be a great addition to any band so
I`m really happy to work with her again. It has also worked as a kind of injection of new energy seeing that she is extremely
eager to do this again and that is exactly what we need at the moment. It feels amazing to work with new people who simply
boils over of dedication and energy, genuinely hungry people who want this more than anything.
side. Even though there were never any bad feelings or vibe between us after she left the band the first time, I still felt that
there were a couple of unanswered questions left to solve and at least talk about. At first my only intention was to
re-establish the contact with her but it soon became clear that we both wanted to co-operate again and pick up from where
we left. It has indeed been great to have her back, she is an amazing singer and would be a great addition to any band so
I`m really happy to work with her again. It has also worked as a kind of injection of new energy seeing that she is extremely
eager to do this again and that is exactly what we need at the moment. It feels amazing to work with new people who simply
boils over of dedication and energy, genuinely hungry people who want this more than anything.
Blissfulviolet: Does Trail of Tears plan to tour soon
for support of the new album?
for support of the new album?
Ronny: We are getting there! The main priority so far
has been to get the new line-up together and create a
powerful unit that will sound better than ever, we
wanted to make sure that things are up to the
necessary standards before we accepted any tour
offers but from the summer on and throughout the rest
of the year we will do more touring than ever before.
The first show now will be the Sweden Rock Festival in
the beginning of June, and from there on out we have
lined up shows throughout Europe, both festival as well
as headlining- and support jobs. In October/November
we will head over to the US and Canada for the first
tour and after that we will look at offers from South
America as well as Australia.
has been to get the new line-up together and create a
powerful unit that will sound better than ever, we
wanted to make sure that things are up to the
necessary standards before we accepted any tour
offers but from the summer on and throughout the rest
of the year we will do more touring than ever before.
The first show now will be the Sweden Rock Festival in
the beginning of June, and from there on out we have
lined up shows throughout Europe, both festival as well
as headlining- and support jobs. In October/November
we will head over to the US and Canada for the first
tour and after that we will look at offers from South
America as well as Australia.
Blissfulviolet: Give us some details on the upcoming United States tour.
Ronny: It will be approximately three weeks and we are going to headline while support comes from Aesma Daeva. I don`t
really know what to expect from the tour, America is a hard market but we will do our best and take everything as a potential
bonus should it turn out good. No matter what, it is definitely about time, we have released five albums and I know for a fact
that we have followers over there so let`s just hope that they will find their way to the venues!
really know what to expect from the tour, America is a hard market but we will do our best and take everything as a potential
bonus should it turn out good. No matter what, it is definitely about time, we have released five albums and I know for a fact
that we have followers over there so let`s just hope that they will find their way to the venues!
Blissfulviolet: Could you tell me a little about the history of Trail of Tears? How the band got started? Is there a story
behind the bands name?
behind the bands name?
Ronny: Well, we were basically just a bunch of kids who got inspired by the bands that we listened to and decided to start
a band of our own. I think that`s how most bands get started, nothing more to say about that really. In the beginning we did
mostly covers, learned our instruments and so forth but eventually started to write our own stuff. The name is taken from
the actual Trail of Tears, the route used by the Cherokees when they were driven away from their land. It is important
though to say that the name holds no deeper meaning for us, we don`t take any side and it`s not a statement in any way for
us. It was our former guitarist Terje who came up with the name, he is and always has been very interested in Native
American history and culture and the rest of us simply thought that it was a cool and fitting name.
a band of our own. I think that`s how most bands get started, nothing more to say about that really. In the beginning we did
mostly covers, learned our instruments and so forth but eventually started to write our own stuff. The name is taken from
the actual Trail of Tears, the route used by the Cherokees when they were driven away from their land. It is important
though to say that the name holds no deeper meaning for us, we don`t take any side and it`s not a statement in any way for
us. It was our former guitarist Terje who came up with the name, he is and always has been very interested in Native
American history and culture and the rest of us simply thought that it was a cool and fitting name.
Blissfulviolet: Share with us one of Trail of Tears greatest moments.
Ronny: That is impossible for me to answer as I have experienced so many great things throughout the years. This band
is my life and has been for over 10 years, it has shaped me into the person that I am today and I simply can`t picture myself
where I would be today had it not been for the band.
is my life and has been for over 10 years, it has shaped me into the person that I am today and I simply can`t picture myself
where I would be today had it not been for the band.
Ronny: Well, I got into heavy music at a very early age and I blame my father for that haha I guess I was about 6 when I
really started showing interest for music and my father always played stuff like Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep,
Sabbath, Sweet as well as stuff like Stones and Slade (ouch!). I eventually started listening to Maiden, Priest, Wasp,
Metallica, Motorhead and went on from that to stuff like Sepultura, Pantera and Slayer. Around the age of 14 I discovered
more extreme stuff like death and black metal, started listening to Morbid Angel, Death, Entombed, Darkthrone, Mayhem
and Deicide and Edge of Sanity. It was then that I seriously started thinking about doing this myself and I have to mention
people like Dan Swanø and David Vincent for giving me the final kick in the ass to start doing vocals.
really started showing interest for music and my father always played stuff like Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep,
Sabbath, Sweet as well as stuff like Stones and Slade (ouch!). I eventually started listening to Maiden, Priest, Wasp,
Metallica, Motorhead and went on from that to stuff like Sepultura, Pantera and Slayer. Around the age of 14 I discovered
more extreme stuff like death and black metal, started listening to Morbid Angel, Death, Entombed, Darkthrone, Mayhem
and Deicide and Edge of Sanity. It was then that I seriously started thinking about doing this myself and I have to mention
people like Dan Swanø and David Vincent for giving me the final kick in the ass to start doing vocals.
Blissfulviolet: Outside Trail of Tears, what are
some of your hobbies?
some of your hobbies?
Ronny: Most of my life revolves around music, in
some shape or form. If not working with Trail of
Tears I simply enjoy listening to music, going to
concerts and festivals and talk with people who
share my passion. I love to travel but even this is
most of the times related to music. Hanging out with
friends, drinking beer and just listening to music is
the best way to spend my time!
some shape or form. If not working with Trail of
Tears I simply enjoy listening to music, going to
concerts and festivals and talk with people who
share my passion. I love to travel but even this is
most of the times related to music. Hanging out with
friends, drinking beer and just listening to music is
the best way to spend my time!
Blissfulviolet: So what's next for Trail of Tears?
Has the band started on any new material?
Has the band started on any new material?
Ronny: We will as I mentioned dedicate ourselves
to touring from the summer on. That is the number
one priority for the remaining of the year. There
are also some ideas lying around for new music
to touring from the summer on. That is the number
one priority for the remaining of the year. There
are also some ideas lying around for new music
and we will try to do some writing in-between as well.
Blissfulviolet: Any final comments?
Ronny: Just want to say thanks for the support, check out the new album Existentia and see you on tour this year!
Trail of Tears latest release Existentia, continues to push the boundaries of metal.
The Norwegian band continues to be known for their unique, classical, symphonic
gothic metal sound. From the return of female vocalist Cathrine Paulsen, to the
details of Trail of Tears latest release, vocalist Ronny Thorsen sheds light on all.
The Norwegian band continues to be known for their unique, classical, symphonic
gothic metal sound. From the return of female vocalist Cathrine Paulsen, to the
details of Trail of Tears latest release, vocalist Ronny Thorsen sheds light on all.
Blissfulviolet: This brings me to my next question; what inspired you to become a singer?