The 3rd and the Mortal were founded in Trondheim, in 1990. The band started out as a melodic death metal band, shifting to doom metal, mixing distorted guitars and heavy drumming with clean guitars and vocals. Being among the first to have a female lead singer, they inspired bands such as The Gathering, Flowing Tears and Nightwish. "Tears Laid In Earth" (1994) was the band''s first full album.