Category: eternal tears of sorrow

Reflecting on Life Choices: My Journey to 50

It’s exactly one month until my 50th birthday. That’s a good age.

I know myself – my weaknesses and my strengths – better than ever before. I understand not only who I am now, but also all the choices from my past that have shaped me into the person I am today. I’ve managed to expand my comfort zone enormously, and I’m not afraid to push it even further.

I’m no longer that naïve, gullible people-pleaser whom even those I once considered my best friends would trample over. The 25-year-old me merely watched from the sidelines as whispers began behind my back and events unfolded – events whose meanings only became clear to me much later.

In fact, I still don’t fully understand why things happened the way they did. But that no longer matters.

That thirty-something version of myself consciously set all of that aside when the same people wanted to pick up where we had left off. And so I went along with it, only to finally come to terms with those thoughts recently.

Life goes on. The old band will never return, but the new band is charging ahead at full throttle.

I harbour no bitterness, nor do I blame anyone for anything. My past has made me exactly who I am. No one now tramples over me, and I make sure not to do the same to anyone else.

True strength, after all, does not mean a lack of empathy.

The End of Eternal Tears of Sorrow: A New Beginning

Eternal Tears of Sorrow has officially come to an end. But in reality, we had already been inactive for two years. We tried writing new songs, but our standards had risen so high that nothing truly excited us. And if the passion wasn’t there, forcing it would have felt wrong.

This time, the decision was mutual: no drama, no conflict, just the realisation that it was time to move on. And that’s a good thing. Knowing when to let go is just as important as knowing when to push ahead.

That wasn’t the case the first time.

In short, our first split in the early 2000s was incredibly difficult for me. It was not just hard in music, but also in life. When writing Chaotic Beauty in 1999, we were full of energy. But by the time it came out, something had changed. The enthusiasm faded. Discussions about ending the band began. Suddenly, I felt like an outsider in my own band. This was the first group where I truly felt I belonged. And then it was gone, and I couldn’t help it. Bad communication? Definitely. EToS was always horrible at communicating.

I wish I had just asked, “What the hell is happening here?” But I didn’t. I was a different person then: a people-pleaser, someone who didn’t know what I really wanted. And even before our fourth album had even been released, the band was practically no more.

When EToS returned in 2004, the band didn’t feel the same, after all the things that had happened. We, the old members of the band, were no longer a tight-knit group. We were just bandmates, colleagues. And that’s how it remained until the end.

But I have no regrets. Our second era brought two incredible decades of music, unforgettable experiences, and a deep appreciation for everything we built. We toured the world, wrote music we were truly proud of, and connected with so many people through our songs. EToS will always be a part of me, and I’m grateful for every moment.

Now, for the first time, I feel free to create something new, without the weight of the past. If there’s one lesson I’m taking into my next band, it’s this: communication matters. A band is like any relationship, without open conversations, things can fall apart very quickly. This time, I’m making sure we get it right.

So here I am, ready for what’s ahead. EToS was an unforgettable chapter. Now it’s time to write a new one with everything I’ve learned. I have a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose. And I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.

Blending Dark Dystopian Undertones with Progressive Elements

As I dive into my latest musical project, I find myself reflecting on the path that’s led me here. The new music I’m creating can be described as diverse, progressive, melancholic melodic death metal, blending growling and clean vocals. In a way, it’s a return to the adventurous musical spirit Eternal Tears of Sorrow had in the 90s. I feel the same innocence and energy I had at that time.

The 90s were a defining decade for me, shaping my musical and literary influences. I delved into melodic death metal, progressive metal, and science fiction—genres and themes that have stayed with me ever since. I discovered artists who would profoundly impact my creative direction. These included Devin Townsend and Anneke van Giersbergen with The Gathering. I also explored dystopian literature like 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. These influences have always been a part of me, even if they couldn’t fully manifest within EToS.

EToS was a collective effort, with our music being a blend of everyone’s ideas and preferences. This collective approach was rewarding but also limiting. Now, with the band on hiatus, I’ve found the freedom to explore new sonic territories that show my true self.

Books (and TV shows) like Good Omens and Station Eleven have also deeply influenced this new chapter. Good Omens taught me about the melancholic balance between light and dark. This contrast is something I’ve always explored in my music. Station Eleven resonated with its message that “survival is insufficient,“. It emphasised the importance of art and beauty, especially in dire times. These themes are guiding my current work, which seeks to blend progressive elements with darker, dystopian undertones.

This project marks my first thematic album, and it’s a thrilling challenge. It’s about rediscovering that sense of innocence and curiosity in songwriting. It’s about exploring uncharted creative spaces. It’s about weaving together the diverse influences that have shaped me. There are echoes of my past work. This new venture is about pushing boundaries. It’s about seeing where this renewed creative freedom takes me.

I’m eager to share more as this journey unfolds. The path ahead is filled with unknowns, but that’s what makes it so exciting.

Eternal Tears of Sorrow: 30th Anniversary

It’s been some time since I last wrote about Eternal Tears of Sorrow, whether individually or on behalf of the entire band. Our seeming inactivity over the past decade plays a part in this silence.

Today, I bring you a mix of news.

First, the cheery part: “Good news, everyone!” (Those who have watched Futurama know that unfortunately, this phrase is often followed by bad news.)

This month marks three decades since the inception of EToS—certainly a cause for celebration! Or it is actually 32 years if you count from the early days of our forerunner, Andromeda, which began its journey in early 1992.

However, this is tempered by the less cheerful revelation that we have been on hiatus for about a year—a decision that we hadn’t publicly disclosed until now. Hence, there are no official celebrations for this milestone.

Each band member has their reasons for this break. Personally, I feel we might have reached our creative zenith; continuing as before might merely mean repeating ourselves in every conceivable way—songwriting, performing, recording, and the like.

Despite our efforts over the past few years to produce new songs, perhaps aiming for a single or an EP, these did not yield the hoped-for results. The new material seemed either too derivative of our past work or lacked the necessary collective enthusiasm, suggesting we might have exhausted our potential as EToS.

Yet, this period was far from fruitless for me. I’ve significantly honed my songwriting skills and learned to inject new life into our music. These lessons are invaluable as I embark on new projects. Each of us is now exploring different musical avenues through various bands and projects.

As for myself, I’ve been developing a new project since the onset of the pandemic, envisaging something that might echo EToS but with a heavier, more progressive, or even experimental twist. The project will certainly have stuff that hasn’t been possible with EToS, or stuff that I couldn’t even imagine during our active years. So, I’m filled with fresh ideas and enthusiasm for this new direction, exploring where these paths might lead. And this may not be the only project on the horizon for me—I have numerous new ideas that could take many different forms. Only time will tell.

So, I hope to release information of this band/project – or even more projects or bands – next year, as I turn 50 years then.

As to when the EToS hiatus might end, that remains uncertain. We will resume when we all feel the moment is right, perhaps with a reimagined sound and approach to ensure everything feels fresh and invigorating.

In the meantime, I invite our fans to stay connected through our official social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you for your steadfast support over these three decades. It has been a profound honour to share this journey with you. Expect us when you see us.

Best regards,
Jarmo Puolakanaho & Eternal Tears of Sorrow

EToS: 30-vuotissynttärit!

Siitä onkin jo aikaa, kun viimeksi kirjoitin Eternal Tears of Sorrow‘sta, joko omasta tai koko bändin puolesta. Ulospäin on varmasti näyttänyt siltä, että olemme olleet hiljaa koko tämän vuosikymmenen ajan. 

Tänään on viimein oikea aika kertoa bändin asioista.

Ensin iloinen osa: ”Hyviä uutisia, kaikki!” (Futurama-fanit tietävät, että tätä lausetta seuraa poikkeuksetta huonoja uutisia). 

Tässä kuussa tulee kuluneeksi 30 vuotta bändimme perustamisesta – se on varmasti syy juhlaan! Tai 32 vuotta, jos mukaan lasketaan EToSin ensimmäisen esiasteen, Andromedan, alku alkuvuonna 1992. 

Nyt ne huonot uutiset. 

Olemme olleet tauolla noin vuoden. Emme ole kertoneet tästä julkisesti ennen tätä päivää. Siksikin tätä virstanpylvästä ei juhlita virallisesti. Kaikilla on muuta tekemistä.

Jokaisella bändin jäsenellä on omat syynsä tähän taukoon. Omasta puolestani tuntuu, että olemme ehkä saavuttaneet kaiken mahdollisen. Jatkaminen olisi vain vanhojen juttujen toistamista musiikillisesti ja oikeastaan kaikilla muillakin tavoin. Huomasin tämän itse ehkä myöhemmin kuin muut, vasta viime vuonna, ja lopullisesti vasta tämän tauon aikana.

Mutta me toki yritimme. Yritimme kirjoittaa edes sen verran uutta tuoretta materiaalia, että olisimme saaneet julkaistua edes sinkun tai EP:n. Mutta epäonnistuimme. Uudet biisit tuntuivat joko vanhan toistamiselta tai väkisin väännetyltä. Ehkä voidaan siis sanoa, että intohimo ja inspiraatio olivat kadonneet.

Silti tämä ajanjakso ei ollut minulle suinkaan turha. Olen oppinut paljon musiikista ja biisinkirjoittamisesta. Nämä opit ovat korvaamattomia nyt, kun olen (bändin muiden jäsenten tavoin) suunnannut kohti uusia bändejä ja projekteja. 

Omalta osaltani olen kehittänyt uutta projektia pandemian puhkeamisesta lähtien. Se saattaa kuulostaa osin vanhalta tutulta EToSilta (mitenkäs seepra pääsisi raidoistaan?), mutta jossa olisi kuitenkin raskaampi, progressiivisempi tai jopa kokeellinen vivahde. Mukana on taatusti paljon sellaista, mikä ei ollut mahdollista EToSin aikana, tai ei edes tullut silloin mieleenkään…

Kovalevyilläni on jo nyt aikamoinen määrä tuoreita ideoita. Kun vain olisi vieläkin enemmän aikaa tehdä niistä jotain… Eikä tämä ole ainoa miettimäni projekti/bändi. Mielessä on orastavia ajatuksia muistakin mielenkiintoisista jutuista. Aika näyttää. Toivottavasti saan julkaistua ensi vuonna edes uutisia tuosta bändistä, tai jopa useammasta. Ensi vuonna nimittäin täytän 50 kokonaista vuotta (huhhei…) ja siihen juhlavuoteen sopisi paremmat uutiset kuin nämä.

Takaisin bändiimme. EToSin tauko kestää niin kauan kuin se kestää. Jatkamme, kun kaikkien mielestä aika on oikea. Ehkäpä tuore soundi ja uusi lähestymistapa kainalossa. Ainakin puhtaalta pöydältä pitää aloittaa, siitä olen varma.

Sillä välin voitte seurata bändin ja sen jäsenten kuulumisia Facebookissa ja Instagramissa (etosofficial kummassakin).

Kiitos tuestanne näiden kolmen vuosikymmenen aikana. Koko bändille on ollut suuri kunnia jakaa tämä matka kanssanne. 

“Expect us when you see us”, sanoisi vaka vanha harmaaparta Gandalf tässä tilanteessa.

Terveisin,

Jarmo Puolakanaho & Eternal Tears of Sorrow

Time Passes by So Quickly…

As my 49th birthday looms on the horizon next month, I find myself reflecting deeply on the journey so far.

It’s been a rollercoaster of discovery. Looking back at the turn of the millennium, I realize how much I’ve learned. The band was my everything, a crucial part of my identity, but I’ve come to understand that such heavy reliance wasn’t the healthiest in the long run.

Back in ’99, being in a band felt entirely different. The internet was just a baby, and social media was nowhere on the horizon. We only had the Web, no Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube – not even Napster or Myspace for sharing our music. Bands weren’t tied down by the need for constant online promotion. Today, however, crafting an engaging online presence is crucial, a challenging shift for someone from the old school like me. But, every day is a chance to learn and adapt.

One reflection that’s particularly resonated with me was seeing our album ‘Chaotic Beauty‘ described as ‘Progressive Death Metal’ – a rare but insightful categorisation. This acknowledgment of the complexity and depth of our work has significantly influenced my recent musical endeavors.

Now, I’m quietly working on something new, a project that’s been simmering since the start of this decade. It pays homage to familiar territories while venturing into new realms, blending the old with the new. This venture feels like coming full circle, marrying past lessons with future opportunities. 🌌

Life, I’ve realized, is about continuous learning and adaptation. From the seismic shifts of the early noughties to navigating today’s digital landscape, every step has been preparation for this moment. As I stand ready to embark on this new chapter, I’m filled with excitement and a touch of nerves for the adventures that lie ahead.

I’m finally ready for this next journey. Allons-y, then! And stay tuned for more details in the near future.

My Instagram Account

In my Instagram journey (@goashem_music), I’ve embarked on a special series where I dive into the stories behind some of the most impactful songs I’ve had the pleasure of crafting for Eternal Tears of Sorrow, or at least those tracks where I’ve played a significant role. I kicked off this series with “Sinister Rain,” a track I personally consider among my finest creations. Following that, I explored “Autumn’s Grief,” a song that marks the exploration into the gothic dimensions of EToS’s sound.

For those intrigued by the creative process behind music, my Instagram page offers a glimpse into these tales.

In other news, I’m currently dedicating time to composing new music, aiming to enrich our discussions with fresh content beyond the classics I’ve previously discussed.

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