Autumn Tears

Autumn Tears is an American symphonic/gothic band, sometimes considered darkwave or new age as well. Its fanbase is centered mostly in the underground metal community.

History

Created in September 1995, by Erika (vocals, musical arrangements), and Ted (keyboards and piano, musical arrangements, vocals). After an intensive period of song writing and rehearsing, they entered West Sound Studios to commit to tape the works they had created. In April 1996, their first CD, "Love Poems for Dying Children: Act I" was released through Dark Symphonies, their own record label. The music of "Love Poems..." consisted of symphonic arrangements designed to evoke intense emotions of sadness and loneliness in the listener. Influences include ancient chants, classical music, and contemporary artists (Dead Can Dance, Anchorage, Stoa, Enya).

In May 1997, Autumn Tears released their second full-length album, "The Garden of Crystalline Dreams - Love Poems for Dying Children: Act II."

Erika left Autumn Tears after "Act II's" release to pursue writing her novel. New vocalist Jennifer LeeAnna was recruited, reportedly due to her high levels of talent and experience. The first release of "Act I" was originally supposed to be limited to 2000 copies and sold out quickly, but due to an overwhelming amount of requests it was re-released with a new layout and artwork in 1998. All tracks were remixed and remastered. As a bonus, an additional and exclusive track titled "The Intermission," was also included on the repress, in which Jennifer LeeAnna made her debut appearance.

In December 1999, Erika rejoined Autumn Tears as a full-time member.

In July 1999, Autumn Tears released a mini-CD titled "Absolution."

In June 2000, The band finished their third full length album and most epic release so far, "Love Poems for Dying Children, Act III: Winter and the Broken Angel."

In 2004, after four years of silence, the band recorded the album "Eclipse", which is described, on the [http://www.darksymphonies.com/autumntears Autumn Tears Official Homepage] , as "the most epic, conceptual, and fullest neoclassical piece of music they have ever offered. Lush strings, acoustic guitars, and woodwinds accompany soaring orchestral soundscapes, painting the backdrop for a staggering array of vocal performances that range from operatic and classical solos to Baltic choral passages and duets." In the Eclipse recording, Ted Tringo had invited new musicians to join Autumn Tears, such as the female vocalist Laurie Ann Haus (ex "Rain Fell Within") which shared the female voices with Erika in almost all the tracks.

After the release, Erika left Autumn Tears to form her new band, Ignitor.

In 2007, Autumn Tears released "The Hallowing" said to be their final release.

Lineup

Current lineup

*Ted Tringo - Composition, arrangements, piano, keyboards and vocals.
*Laurie Ann Haus - Lead and backing vocals.
*Greg Ball - Upright contrabass and classical guitar.
*Terran Olson - Clarinet and flutes.

Past members

*Erika Tandy - Lead and backing vocals, composition and keyboards. (Ex- Ignitor, currently sings for Drifter and Fury)(1995 til 2004)

*Jennifer LeeAnna - Lead and backing vocals, vocal arrangements, composition and keyboards.(1998 til 2001)

Discography

Albums

*1996 Love Poems for Dying Children... Act I
*1997 Love Poems for Dying Children... Act II: The Garden Of Crystalline Dreams
*1998 Love Poems for Dying Children... Act I; REPRISE MCMXCVIII (re-release of Act I with a bonus track)
*2000 Love Poems for Dying Children... Act III: Winter and the Broken Angel
*2004 Eclipse
*2007 The Hallowing

Mini-CD

*1999 Absolution

External links

* [http://www.darksymphonies.com/autumntears/ Official site]
* [http://www.mourningtheancient.com/autumn.htm Interview with Erika and Ted]
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=4098 Autumn Tears] at Encyclopaedia Metallum