Artist: Eternal Tears of Sorrow Album: Children of the Dark Waters

Year: 2009
Duration: 0:0-1

Eternal Tears of Sorrow's Children of the Dark Waters: A Critical Review

If you're a fan of heavy metal music, then you must have heard of the Finnish band, Eternal Tears of Sorrow. And if you haven't, then you're in for a treat! ETOS, as they're commonly known, recently released their seventh studio album, Children of the Dark Waters, which has become one of my new favorites. Being a diehard fan, I decided to write a critical review of the album to give you all a taste of what to expect. So buckle up, crank up the volume, and let's dive into the world of ETOS!

Before we dive into the music, let's take a brief look at the band. ETOS was formed in 1994 by guitarist Jarmo Puolakanaho and drummer Olli-Pekka Törrö. The band's music is heavily influenced by melodic death metal, which is a subgenre of heavy metal that mixes death metal with classical melody structures. This combination creates a unique sound that is both heavy and beautiful at the same time.

Children of the Dark Waters was released in 2009 and features 11 tracks that span over 55 minutes. The album's themes are heavily influenced by Finland's folk legends, and the songs are filled with lyrics about death, nature, and mystical creatures. The album's instrumentation is top-notch, with the use of violin, cello, and flute to create a haunting atmosphere that perfectly complements the heavy guitar riffs.

One of the album's standout tracks is Angelheart, Ravenheart (Act III: Saatu). This track is a perfect example of ETOS's ability to seamlessly blend classical music with heavy metal. The song starts off with a beautiful piano melody that is later joined by a cello and violin. The music builds up until it reaches the chorus, where the guitars kick in and vocals join in, creating a perfect blend of beauty and aggression.

Another track worth mentioning is Summon the Wild. This song features a catchy guitar riff that hooks you in from the very beginning. The chorus is equally catchy, with the lyrics Summon the wild, the beasts inside repeating over and over again. The use of acoustic guitar in the bridge of the song gives it a nice break from the heavy riff.

The most innovative part of the album has to be the use of Finnish folk instruments, such as the kantele, which is a traditional Finnish instrument that resembles a zither. The use of the kantele adds a unique twist to the album and perfectly complements the already haunting atmosphere.

With all that being said, Children of the Dark Waters is not a perfect album. The lyrics can be a bit cheesy at times, and some of the tracks blend together, making them hard to distinguish from each other. But overall, the album is a masterpiece that fans of melodic death metal or any metal subgenre will enjoy.

In conclusion, Children of the Dark Waters is a must-listen for any fan of heavy metal music. The album perfectly showcases ETOS's ability to create beautiful, haunting melodies while still making you want to headbang. The use of Finnish folk instruments adds a unique twist to the album, making it stand out among other melodic death metal albums. While the album is not perfect, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a great addition to any metalhead's music library.