Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Children of the Dark Waters
Massacre Records
Melodic/Symphonic Death Metal
9 songs (40:16)
Release year: 2009
Eternal Tears Of Sorrow, Massacre Records
Reviewed by Thomas
Album of the month

Whoah, this caught me by surprise! I’ll be the first one to admit that when I see the tag Melodic Death Metal on something I pretty much dismiss it at once. This was also the case with the Finnish Eternal Tears of Sorrow, and to be honest, I have avoided reviewing - hell, even listening to it - for many months now. However, I stumbled across some very enthusiastic reviews of it from various sites and zines, so I decided to give it a try. Let’s just say that it’s a good thing that my expectations were low, because this comes very close to blowing my mind like no other melodic death metal band has since I first heard Children of Bodom six or seven years ago during my fan-boyism of them. This is Eternal Tears of Sorrow‘s sixth album, and looking at their release years, it’s quite clear that these guys like to take their time when it comes to writing and recording. Even though it may be unbearable for die-hard fans, it’s for the greater good of everyone when it turns out as brilliant as this is.

Finnish bands are unique in their own way, and possess their own style. I don’t know why I expected this to be another copy-cat Gothenburg wannabe melodic death metal band that is as unique as sand is in the desert. As far as I’m concerned Eternal Tears of Sorrow has gone through the motions throughout the years and have shifted from thrash metal to melodeath and recently to the more symphonic and powerful side of melodic death metal. Since Before the Bleeding Sun, Jarmo Kylmänen has been hired on a permanent basis to handle occasional clean vocal duties and choir arrangements. To me it seems like a very good addition, as the man deserves his praise for astonishing work with both elements. He carries the incredible finisher Nocturne Thule almost all by himself as the chorus is one of the most inspiring and catchiest I have heard all year. Also, the choirs spread out on various songs are ranging from very good to fantastic. In other words, nothing can be said on the decision to make him a permanent member of the band.

As far as the theme go, this comes with a broad horizon. With the tragic and sad atmosphere that can be resembled with doom metal on one song, frightful symphonic arrangements that’ll chill the bones more than Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth ever did is on the other. Layered over this, gothic metal characteristics with occasional beautiful female vocals can be found on numerous songs as well as some almost power metall-ish melodies here and there. The guitars are thick and thundering, rolling about on every song. The riffs are heavy, solid and often dominant together with the mighty symphonic elements that are layered smoothly yet pleasantly audible over most of the songs. Every composition is carefully and deliberately dealt with and never seem out of place. They range from softly played piano-melodies to huge string-pieces that are often accompanied by the mentioned choirs. Altti Veteläinen provides horror with his ghastly growls that could just as easy have come from a filthy beast as terror shoots through your spine whenever he spews out his deliciously wretched spawn. The shifts in clean and harsh vocals may seem odd and out of place, but they’re not. Like everything else, they are perfectly balanced, and for those of you worrying about the clean vocals being dominant, they’re not. They’re not even on each song , and when they are, no-one can deny the sheer beauty of them.

For any metal-fan that is keen on melody, beauty, power and harshness delivered by the same band on one record. Look to the north, to Finland more precisely. This band should satisfy your needs, and if they don’t on the first listen, spin it again. Eternal Tears of Sorrow made a statement with Children of the Dark Waters, and with few downpoints, this will easily be top ten when the year ends if nothing drastic happens. Awesome band, great album, go get it, you won’t regret it!

Killing Songs :
Angelheart, Ravenheart, Baptized in the Blood of Angels, Tears of Autumn Rain, Nocturne Thule
Thomas quoted 90 / 100
Other albums by Eternal Tears Of Sorrow that we have reviewed:
Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Saivon Lapsi reviewed by Alex and quoted 76 / 100
Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Before the Bleeding Sun reviewed by Al and quoted 88 / 100
Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - A Virgin And A Whore reviewed by Chris and quoted 93 / 100
Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Chaotic Beauty reviewed by Chris and quoted 91 / 100
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