What makes Tears Laid in Earth by The 3rd and the Mortal notable?

Tears Laid in Earth received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to metal, blending atmospheric elements with traditional folk influences. It helped solidify the band's reputation within the emerging gothic and atmospheric metal scenes of the early '90s, paving the way for subsequent acts exploring similar musical territories. Released in 1994, Tears Laid in Earth is The 3rd and the Mortal's debut album, marking their entry into the Norwegian metal scene. At this time, they were establishing their unique blend of folk and progressive metal, which would later influence various subgenres. The album set a foundation for their evolving sound and artistic identity.

How many songs are on Tears Laid in Earth?

Tears Laid in Earth has 11 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

Tears Laid in Earth

The 3rd and the Mortal · 1994

66 min · 11 tracks · progressive metal

Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with haunting melodies, creating a surreal journey through darkness and longing.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Why So Lonely — This track encapsulates the album's emotive core, balancing haunting vocals with intricate instrumentation that illustrates themes of isolation and longing.
→
Death-Hymn — With its expansive structure and somber lyrical content, this track showcases the band's ability to blend heavy riffs with poignant melody, highlighting their unique sound.
→
Oceana — The closing epic spans nearly 19 minutes, incorporating diverse musical textures that reflect the album's overarching themes of nature and introspection while pushing progressive boundaries.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The album blends atmospheric and folk elements with metal, creating a distinctive sound that stands out in its genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a gradual build-up in 'Vandring', layering ethereal vocals over a slow, atmospheric instrumental backdrop.
Tracks often feature shifts in dynamics, such as the transition from soft, haunting melodies to heavier, more aggressive sections.
Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements and unconventional song structures, deviating from traditional verse-chorus formats.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Vandring 1:40
2 Why So Lonely 5:14
3 Autopoéma 4:41
4 Death-Hymn 8:24
5 Shaman 3:28
6 Trial of Past 5:14
7 Lengsel 2:06
8 Salva Me 4:38
9 Song 6:37
10 In Mist Shrouded 5:35
11 Oceana 18:46

What to play next

Listen next

Painting on Glass

1996

Go back to

Sorrow

1993

Full The 3rd and the Mortal discography Artists like The 3rd and the Mortal

folk metal progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata