Autumn Tears

The Profile

Autumn Tears is an American neoclassical darkwave ensemble from the Boston area, founded by composer/keyboardist Ted Tringo. Known for the Love Poems for Dying Children trilogy, Eclipse (2004), and The Hallowing (2007), the project returned after a hiatus with new releases from 2018 onward.

American/Bostonian group; formed by Ted Tringo; early vocalist Erika Swinnich, later Laurie Ann Haus; frequently compared to Dead Can Dance; Act I was reissued as Reprise MCMXCVIII by Dark Symphonies; producer Jim West mentioned on Act I review; instrumentation centers on organ, piano, strings, and winds; themes of death and consolation recur throughout the discography.

Three DeBaser reviews praise Autumn Tears’ neoclassical darkwave: the 1996 debut (reissued in 1998) opens a sorrowful trilogy, Eclipse (2004) is hailed as peak maturity, and The Hallowing (2007) shifts to richly arranged acoustic chamber music led by Laurie Ann Haus. Themes revolve around death as solace, with organ, piano, and strings framing ethereal vocals by Erika Swinnich and Ted Tringo. Comparisons to Dead Can Dance abound, but the group’s voice is distinct, dramatic, and melodic.