After the announcement of THEATRE OF TRAGEDY parting ways with lead singer Liv Kristine in late August 2003, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY decided to withdraw and keep a low profile.

All the while, the song-writing activity was kept steady, and at the same time started the search for a new singer. The search had not lasted very long until a strong candidate emerged, and very soon found a natural position within the band, even before an actual decision was made. The new singer, Nell (origin: Norway), quickly proved a refreshing addition to the group, being honest and outspoken, enthusiastic, and with a general working attitude that further strengthened the band’s internal bonding.

With a strong and temperamental voice, she fit well into the current style of the band, aiming more for a darker atmospheric, brooding and simplified style, rather than the efficient rock/pop song with dense layers of electronics. And although largely lacking the "Beauty and the Beast" contrast of the band's early recordings, there is still a complementary tension between Nell's and Raymond's vocals.

The band is continuously writing new material for its 6th studio album. Recording sessions are planned to commence this coming fall. You can find some sound excerpts of two new songs on official ToT site.

An exclusive concert at Stavanger's local rock-club, Checkpoint Charlie, will take place the 19th of June 2004, where the band will perform both old material as well as new and unreleased songs. This will be the debut concert for Nell with Theatre of Tragedy.

On May 6th, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY will release a Norway-only single entitled "Let You Down" containing the following songs (colorful descriptions courtesy of the band's official web site):

01. Let You Down (Rico Darum & Superdead Remix. Both ex-APOPTYGMA BERZERK. A heavy-as-hell dancefloor remix!)

02. Let You Down (album version)

03. You Keep Me Hangin' On (Unreleased re-rendition of the old SUPREMES/KIM WILDE classic for the Assembly recording sessions)

04. Universal Race (Man-i-kin Remix. An industrial/psytrance/electrocrash version of the goth/punk/metal song from Assembly)

05. Envision (Conetik Remix. A mellow and relaxing version in the Underworld landscape!)

Production is complete on the band's 5th album, entitled Assembly. Up-and-coming producer, Hiili Hiilesmaa (H.I.M., Sentenced, Moonspell, Bush, The 69 Eyes), took the helm, as the recordings took place at Finnvox Studios and other locations around Helsinki, Finland. The complete track listing, in order, is "Automatic Lover," "Universal Race," "Episode," "Play," "Superdrive," "Let You Down," "Starlit," "Envision," "Flickerlight," "Liquid Man," and "Motion." This will also be the first TOT studio release since the addition of long-time session guitarist Vegard K. Thorsen. We anticipate a Spring 2002 release.