It has been about thirty years since Autumn Tears released their first work. After so many years and numerous releases, the band returns with what they describe as their most ambitious project to date. This album was recorded not only with an impressive roster of guest musicians — including Francesca Nicoli of Ataraxia — but also features a real orchestra and choir.

The concept is not only ambitious but also remarkably challenging to bring to life. Musically, it unfolds as a fusion of Ethereal vocals and Neo-Classical elegance. The result is an overwhelming production where grandeur meets refinement through intricate, subtle arrangements. The ensemble of instruments breathes authenticity and emotional depth, with each composition crafted with exceptional care. The music feels like the perfect Cinematic experience — immersive, majestic, and deeply evocative.

This work stands as a unique achievement of which Autumn Tears can be truly proud. It is a beautiful and masterfully executed album — though I personally found myself wishing for a single, soaring climax to complete the experience. (Rating:7½).

Listen to “Silhouettes At Sunset”:

https://autumntears.bandcamp.com/track/silhouettes-at-sunset

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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Neoclassical and darkwave ensemble Autumn Tears will release their new studio album, “Crown of the Clairvoyant”, on September 22, 2025, via The Circle Music. The album expands the conceptual narrative introduced on their 2023 release, “Guardian of the Pale”.

A video for the track “The Light That Shapes Us”, featuring Caroline Joy Clarke and Sanja Smileska on violin and viola, is available now.

“Crown of the Clairvoyant” is a fully orchestrated production featuring a classical ensemble and full choir. Core composer Ted Tringo is joined by returning collaborators Caroline Joy Clarke and Darren Clarke (of Trovatori), alongside Tamar Singer (Zeresh, Cruel Wonders, Necromishka), Sanja Smileska on violin and viola, and Francesca Nicoli from Italian neoclassical act Ataraxia.

Ted Tringo adds: “This album represents a significant undertaking for us, expanding on themes from our previous work with a broader musical palette. We are grateful for the contributions of all the musicians and vocalists involved, and we look forward to sharing ‘Crown of the Clairvoyant’ with our listeners.”

The album can be pre-ordered in digital format, limited-edition CD with an exclusive bonus track, and a vinyl version that includes a 12-page illustrated lyric book and a separate vinyl-exclusive track.

Tracklist – CD Edition:

1. Silhouettes at Sunset
2. Lunar Coronation
3. Ancestral Premonition (feat. Francesca Nicoli)
4. Ghosts and Empaths
5. The Knell of my Birth-hymn (feat. Francesca Nicoli)
6. Bloodline Offering
7. Martyrdom – Catharsis (Where Gods Go to Die)
8. The Light That Shapes Us
9. Crown of the Clairvoyant
10. Leaving From Where We Once Belonged (CD bonus)

Tracklist – Vinyl Edition:

Side A:

1. Silhouettes at Sunset
2. Lunar Coronation
3. Ancestral Premonition (feat. Francesca Nicoli)
4. Ghosts and Empaths
5. The Knell of my Birth-hymn (feat. Francesca Nicoli)

Side B:

1. Bloodline Offering
2. Martyrdom – Catharsis (Where Gods Go to Die)
3. The Light That Shapes Us
4. Crown of the Clairvoyant
5. Orphan Monarchy (vinyl bonus)

About Autumn Tears

Autumn Tears was founded in 1995 in the United States by composer and pianist Ted Tringo. Initially released through Dark Symphonies, the project became known for its fusion of neoclassical, ethereal, and cinematic elements, utilizing orchestral instrumentation and operatic vocals. The band released several works in the early 2000s before pausing activity in 2007.

Autumn Tears returned in 2018 with the EP “The Origin of Sleep” and have since released multiple full-length albums, including “Colors Hidden Within The Gray” (2019), “The Air Below the Water” (2020), “The Glow of Desperation” (2021), and “Guardian of the Pale” (2023). Francesca Nicoli of Ataraxia has appeared on several of their recent works. The current lineup includes Ted Tringo, Caroline Joy Clarke, Darren Clarke, and a rotating cast of guest musicians from the classical and darkwave scenes.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Neoclassical / darkwave vetetrans Autumn Tears share a new video, “And There Rises From Somewhere… (What Unnamed Breath Shall Bring)”, ahead of their “Guardian Of The Pale” album release later this month which will be the follow-up to 2021’s “The Glow of Desperation”.

Here’s the video.

The “Guardian Of The Pale” album holds a 70+ musician and vocalist lineup which includes composer / pianist / lyricist Ted Tringo, classical / opera duet & composers Caroline Joy Clarke and Darren Clarke (Trovatori), composer, arranger, producer and sound designer Soroush Abedi, vocalist and songwriter Ffion Elisa Williams, singer / songwriter Tamar Singer (Zeresh, Cruel Wonders, Necromishka), vocalist and songwriter Dawn Desireé Smith (ex-Rain Fell Within) and violin/viola/cello duo Severndeo, together with a massive ensemble of musicians and vocalists. Special guests include Francesca Nicoli from Italian neoclassical band Ataraxia, Agnete Mangnes Kirkevaag from Norwegian progressive metal act Madder Mortem and opera singer Ann-Mari Edvardsen Alexis (ex-The 3rd and the Mortal). Cover artwork by award winning artist Marcela Bolívar. Mastered by Peter Bjärgö (Arcana, Sophia).

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Out now is a brand new video from Autumn Tears featuring Francesca Nicoli of Ataraxia fame on vocals. “The Pulse In The Sky” is a new song off the band’s upcoming album “Guardian of the Pale”, which will be released by The Circle Music on March 24th 2023 and features a fully orchestrated, rich classical ensemble and full choir with 70+ musicians.

Here’s the video.

The band’s 70+ musician and vocalist lineup includes composer, pianist, lyricist Ted Tringo; classical opera duet and composers Caroline Joy Clarke and Darren Clarke (Trovatori); composer, arranger, producer and sound designer Soroush Abedi; vocalist and songwriter Ffion Elisa Williams, singer, songwriter Tamar Singer (Zeresh, Cruel Wonders, Necromishka); vocalist and songwriter Dawn Desireé Smith (ex-Rain Fell Within) and violin/viola/cello duo Severndeo, together with a massive ensemble of musicians and vocalists.

Special guests include Francesca Nicoli from Italian neoclassical band Ataraxia (who also recently released a new album via The Circle Music), Agnete Mangnes Kirkevaag from Norwegian progressive metal act Madder Mortem and opera singer Ann-Mari Edvardsen Alexis (ex-The 3rd and the Mortal).

“Guardian of the Pale” is Autumn Tears’ ninth studio album, and will be available as a digital download, 2CD jewel case package and a Limited 2CD digipak, both with a CD exclusive bonus track as well as a limited double vinyl gatefold package with a 16-page illustrated lyric book and vinyl exclusive bonus track. Pre-orders are available now via The Circle Music.

The album cover artwork was completed by award-winning artist Marcela Bolívar. The album was mastered by Peter Bjärgö (Arcana, Sophia).

There will be 4 versions available:

• Double Jewel Case CD with 20-page booklet
  
• Double Digi CD (Limited to 500 copies) with 20-page booklet
  
• Double LP (Gold vinyl & Green Vinyl) with 16 pages booklet (Limited to 500 copies)
  
• Luxurious Forest Green Box embossed in Gold including: Double LP (Gold vinyl & Green Vinyl) with 16 pages booklet + Double Digipack CD + Forest Green Zip Hoodie (Limited to 100 copies)

The band has also previously released a music video to the track “As If We Were Never There”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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The neo-classical act Autumn Tears has partnered with Zeresh’s Tamar Singer to release the split album “Widowing / Possessing” featuring seven new Autumn Tears tracks and six new Zeresh tracks. You may expect a mix of neoclassical arrangement and Zeresh’s dark folk.

While “Widowing”‘s themes center on the loss of a loved one, of oneself, the lyrics for “Possessing” are taken from Shakespeare’s sonnets and the poetry of John Clare. “Widowing/Possessing” is available as digital download and also on a CD limited to 500 copies worldwide, including two separate mini fold out lyric posters – one for each band.

Here’s a visual.

Autumn Tears’s Ted Tringo explains his work on the split album: “Since I was doing this split with Tamar and Zeresh, I wanted to tap in to some darker old-school Autumn Tears themes to keep in with a similar mood.” Zeresh’s Tamar Singer from his side says that “the songs for ‘Possessing’ were written to fit in with Autumn Tears’ ‘Widowing’, therefore they are more romantic and a bit ‘cleaner’ than my previous works although it is dark and gets even darker towards the end.”

You can check a few tracks out below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Out this Friday is the newest Autumn Tears album “The Glow of Desperation”, holding 15 new tracks. Autumn Tears is an American musical act incorporating a unique, organic fusion of modern classical music with elements of cinematic score and world music, layered with diverse, female vocals as you can see in the list below of contributors.

The total list off contributors this time:

• classical / opera singer & composer Caroline Clarke (Trovatori)
• singer / songwriter Tamar Singer (Zeresh, Cruel Wonders, Necromishka)
• singer / composer / vocal coach Anne “Anaé” Laurent (Anaé & The Petrichor, Adrana)
• tenor opera vocalist Darren Clarke (Trovatori)
• lead vocalist Agnete Mangnes Kirkevaag from the legendary Norwegian progressive metal act Madder Mortem
• Mark Garrett from the avant garde, progressive death gaze / metal act Kardashev
• classical / opera singer Ann-Mari Edvardsen Alexis, best known as the former vocalist of Norwegian doom metal / avant-garde band The 3rd and the Mortal (Nightswan, Painting on Glass, In This Room).
• also returning on this new album is singer / songwriter Brona McVittie.

Listen to the title track below.

About Autumn Tears

The band was formed in September 1995 by Erika (Swinnich) Tandy (vocals, musical arrangements) and Ted Tringo (keyboards and piano, musical arrangements, vocals). In April 1996, their first CD, “Love Poems for Dying Children… Act I” was released through Dark Symphonies, their own record label.

In May 1997, Autumn Tears released their second full-length album, “The Garden of Crystalline Dreams – Love Poems for Dying Children: Act II.” After which Erika left the band (to return in 1999, and to leave again in 2004) and was replaced by Jennifer LeeAnna.

In July 1999, Autumn Tears released a mini-CD titled “Absolution” followed by a new album in June 2000: “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”. For the occasion Ted Tringo invited new musicians to join Autumn Tears, such as the female vocalist Laurie Ann Haus (Todesbonden).

In 2007, Autumn Tears released “The Hallowing”. After this release the band took a 10 year long sabbatical to return in 2018 with the EP “The Origin of Sleep”, featuring a full string and horn section, woodwinds, harp and orchestral percussion. 2 more releases followed: 2019’s “Colors Hidden Within The Gray” and 2020’s “The Air Below The Water”.

2021 brings an all new album, “The Glow of Desperation”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, gothic, neo-classic.

Background/Info: American formation Autumn Tears released 5 albums in between 1996 and 2007. All the albums were released on Dark Symphonies (USA). They next went into hibernation till this year and the release of the EP “The Origin Of Sleep”. “Convalescence: A Retrospective” bring us back to the 5 studio albums featuring a kind of ‘best’ of plus 3 unreleased cuts.

Content: Autumn Tears is a deeply, artistic creation mixing gothic- and cinematographic music. But the global approach also has something neo-classic like while the carrion and harpsichords sounds also has something baroque.

The songs are made of dark reverie and a symphonic touch. The orchestral arrangements bring some drama to the composition. Autumn Tears also features graceful, fragile and sensitive female vocals. Due to changes in the line-up several singers have been involved with this band.

+ + + : This retrospective is made of extremely dark-, dramatic- and beautiful compositions. There’s a sweet fusion between electronics and acoustic instruments. The music reveals a symbiosis between refinement and heavier, orchestral elements. It’s a sweet and melancholic caress with heavenly female voices on top. Next to the fine selection of familiar cuts the work also features 3 previously unreleased songs, which are in the same vein of the tracklist.

– – – : This kind of compilation is a truly bless for music lovers so I don’t have real minus points although the unreleased songs aren’t exactly the most convincing ones, but just a little bonus gift for the fans.

Conclusion: Autumn Tears makes me think to an ‘ethereal requiem’. There’s a delicious contrast between the deeply sad spirit emerging from the songs and the artistic beauty of the composition.

Best songs: “They Watch With Closed Eyes”, “The Dance”, “Ode To My Forthcoming Winter: Act 3 Autumn”, “Pandora’s Womb”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/TheTrueAutumnTears

Label: www.darkvinyl.de / www.facebook.com/darkvinylrecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Ethereal, cinematographic, neo-classic.

Background/Info: American formation Autumn Tears is back on track. After a silence of more than 10 years we now welcome a new production featuring 5 songs. Some changes happened in the line-up and we rather can speak about a collective instead of a band. Notice by the way the album has been mastered by Peter Bjärgo.

Content: “The Origin Of Sleep” first of all reflects a true love for authentic instruments. That’s why numerous musicians contributed to this release, which is featuring instruments such as violin, flute, clarinet, harp, cello, trombone, French horn and trumpet. The songs have been sung by female vocalists adding a sweet, ethereal and extra sensitive touch to the work. The music mixes orchestral arrangements –reminding me of early work of Autumn Tears, and pure neo-classic play. Some passages are pure soundtrack-like.

+ + + : Composing a work with such an impressive number of musicians and instruments stands for a truly tour de force and a deeply artistic approach. But all these instruments also inject a real warm and authentic touch to the songs. Together with the female singers “The Origin Of Sleep” becomes a source of emotion and reverie. Last, but not least I like the symbiosis between orchestral parts and ethereal music.

– – – : I can’t imagine a real minus point about this release except I’m missing an absolute climax.

Conclusion: Autumn Tears is back and I think the ‘world’ will rapidly know it. This is the kind of releases the music scene is really missing.

Best songs: “Chasing The Void”, “Shaping A Fragile Utopia”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/TheTrueAutumnTears

Label: www.darksymphonies.com / www.facebook.com/DarkDescentRecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com