TSOTB was formed in November 1996 by Stig, Glenn Morten and Arild. Soon after the band got in contact with Ola, Anita and Ingfrid. By this time the band was called Purgatory, but had to change name in front of the release of "All Alone". This was mainly because there are so many other bands called Purgatory (for instance three in the States). After three months of playing the band went into the studio in February 1997 to record some demo-songs. The recording was produced by Gulleiv Wee, the bassplayer from the famous Norwegian band, September When. After the studio-rehersal, TSOTB chose to release three of these on the "All Alone" MCD, through the Italian label, Nocturnal Music. In September 1997 TSOTB got in contact with the second keyboardist, Anders.
In January 1998 TSOTB recorded "Silent Pain" in Sound Suite Studio, produced by Terje Refsnes. This was also the first time Pete was included on a recording. This was sent to several labels, among them Napalm Records, with whom the band signed a contract with in March 1998. In August 1998 TSOTB went in Sound Suite Studio to record their debut-album, "Lake of Sorrow". The two songs taken from the "All Alone" MCD - "All Alone" and "Worthy of You" - were re-arranged in studio, with a better production than on the original recording. The pictures inside the cover were shot by photographer Petter Hegre, while designer Tor Søreide arranged the layout.
The musical background to each member in the band is rather different. Almost every one of them has been playing in bands during their youth. Pete plays today in several bands, but is strongest connected to an Irish folk-music band called The Tramps. When it comes to the name of the band, TSOTB is simply a product of the members own imagination. It is in other words 100 % fictionary and has not been taken from any litterature, movies, etc. When composing this band-name back in March 1997, the members were simply trying to come up with a name that should suit the music as well as finding an original name to reflect the lyrics. This use of an ancient-English word in the name of the band also makes it easy for people to know what kind of music TSOTB plays.
The title of the album, "Lake of Sorrow", was figured out right in front of the recording of the album. The title in hand shouldn`t be too long, and it should also suit the gothic style of TSOTB as well as being a bit dark and romantic...
The lyrics printed inside the cover are only extracts. This has been done with purpose from TSOTBs side. When it comes to lyrics, 99 % of all bands, not only those playing goth-metal, but also those playing Pop and Rock, list the entire lyrics inside their covers. When listing extracts, the listener therefore has to pay more attention to the songs. The reason why some might find the lyrics alike, has to do with the fact that they all describe the areas of betrayal, hate, unattainable love and death. The same thing goes to the music; TSOTB wants to create an atmosphere, a story that is, and this consists of both joy, happiness, sorrow, death, pain, etc, etc. The lyrics are written by Glenn Morten, Arild and Anders, and because of their personal contents, no lyrics are written together...
When it comes to the way TSOTB writes music, every member participates in the creative song-writing. When the cords have been composed by a band-member, for instance one of the guitarists, he then present these to other members of the band, and the band plays the song on the next rehersal. Each member writes his/her parts, making TSOTB a very democratic band, as well as creating a good band-environment. This is also what makes every member of The Sins Of Thy Beloved indispensible...
Source: http://www.tsotb.com/
