Recording for the debut CD began in 1997 with no labels interested. I recorded it all in my own studio. I sent rough mixes to many labels and I also made up pseudonyms for band members that really didn't exist (because it's all me). Anyways, Mordgrimm Records in England was interested and signed me. I then divulged that it was really all just me and they were cool with that. I ended up dropping all that pseudonym nonsense and took credit as a solo-project. Good thing I did as the year after the debut Tearstained CD came out, my main band Night Conquers Day split up. So Tearstained continued and is still active today.
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| the original logo used on the first 3 CD's - by Kris Verwimp |
The original concept of Tearstained was to do just 3 CD's and then that would be it. The band name ties in with the theme of the first 3 albums which are "The Suicide Trilogy". The first CD "Monumental In Its Sorrow" was released in 1999 on Mordgrimm Records. It went over really well with people. Bathory and Mercyful Fate and Celtic Frost inspirations abound. Falsetto vocals, growls, screams, mourning, a lot of variety in the vocals. And also began a tradition of having 2 hidden cover-songs on the end of every CD. For the debut there was a Bathor-ized version of Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and Bathory's "Equimanthorn" (which Night Conquers Day always performed live as well). The entire trilogy of CD's deals with depression, suicide, melancholy, death, and complete despair. Many have coined it Suicide Metal, and I can't argue with that. You'll just feel a lot of an 80's vibe I believe.
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After the first CD came out, it appeared that Mordgrimm Records vanished. They had no more releases and I never heard from them. Even though their label-owner found the cool picture on the cover of the 2nd CD. I tried calling and calling and he never answered. So when Barbarian Wrath contacted me and asked when myu next CD was coming out, I said I didn't know. It's all done and my label has vanished. So he signed me indefinitely and thus Tearstained lived on. The 2nd CD, and Part II of the Suicide Trilogy, was entitled "There Is No Hope" and it came out in 2001. I think the sound on this CD is more subdued, more controlled, less chaotic. I also experimented much more with varied vocals and also a lot of King Diamond-inspired falsetto. I also think this CD is much more depressive than the previous one.
"There Is No Hope" 2001 CD#2 (Suicide Trilogy - Part II)
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Barbarian Wrath Records proved to be a great new home and onward I went continuing as I had planned with the 3rd and final installment of the Suicide Trilogy. I wanted this one to blow the previous two albums away. And I think I succeed. In 2003 out came the "Final Thoughts" CD and that August ('03) it was album of the month in Metallian Mag and was getting rave reviews everywhere. It was depressive yet tortured. A vicious melancholy. And it summed up the lyrical direction directly and boldly.
"Final Thoughts" 2003 CD#3 (Suicide Trilogy - Conclusion)
Raise The Dead / Black Masses (Bathory / Mercyful Fate-covers) 8:09
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But the story of Tearstained did not end there.............The Suicide Trilogy may have ended, but an unexpected new chapter would open...........
This is fucking brilliant, especially the last cd.
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