The band was formed in Pudasjärvi, Finland during 1994 by Jarmo Puolakanaho, Altti Veteläinen and Olli-Pekka Törrö, after some previous various metal projects (Andromeda, M.D.C, D.W.N) between 1991 and 1994, involving some or all of the three members.
Andromeda had been put on hold in late 1992 because the rehearsal place had burned down. It seemed their home town wasn't able to give them a new rehearsal place, so the three members decided to start up a new, drummerless sideproject (M.D.C.) and recorded a demo tape Beyond The Fantasy in autumn 1993. However, the songs on the demo were much better than they had expected, so they decided to go on with the project.
In spring 1994, they recorded a demo The Seven Goddesses of Frost using their new moniker Eternal Tears Of Sorrow. Between 1994 and 1996 the band was busy (in spite of all of the members doing their compulsory military services): they recorded their first studio demo tape Bard's Burial in October 94, were featured on compilation CDs in Europe & Canada, and recorded their debut album, Sinner's Serenade. At the time they played melodic death metal heavily influenced by bands like Edge Of Sanity. It took more than a year for the debut album to get released by X-Treme Records, a small underground label from Gothenburg, Sweden.
After recording the second album, Vilda Mánnu the band signed a record deal with Spinefarm records who subsequently released the album in February 98. Outside Finland, the albums have been licensed by different labels such as Drakkar Records & Fono Records.
The following years saw a drastic lineup change with the recruitment of 3 members from fellow Spinefarm records band, Kalmah, the drummer, lead guitarist and keyboardist. Their third album Chaotic Beauty released Feb 2000 (on which the band had three new members as Olli-Pekka Törrö had left the band) might have been the most successful album so far as they went to an European tour with Nightwish and Sinergy promoting the album. However, it was their fourth album, A Virgin and a Whore released Oct 2001, that went to the Finnish Album TOP 40 charts. For these albums the band began including symphonic metal with their Swedish-influenced brand of melodic death metal.
In 2002, the band announced they were going to go on hiatus. In January 2003, the band officially split, reasons being the members' interest in trying something completely different, or just taking a complete break from the music business.
In February 2005, the band announced they were to make a comeback with a few new members. The fifth album Before the Bleeding Sun was released April 2006. This album also went to the Finnish Album Top 40 charts, this time with the position of #26. 2009 saw the sixth full length Children of the Dark Waters on Finnish label KHY Suomen Musiikki Oy.
In 2013, the seventh album Saivon Lapsi was released on Suomen Musiikki in Finland and on Massacre Records elsewhere. On the latest albums the band has eschewed much of their early melodic death metal sound and a far greater focus is on symphonic and even gothic metal stylings.
Current line-up:
Altti Veteläinen, vocal, bass [94-03, 05- now]
Jarmo Kylmänen, clean vocals [08-now] & session cleans from 05-08
Jarmo Puolakanaho, rhythm guitar [94-03, 05- now] & keyboards, drum programming [94-98]
Mika Lammassaari, lead guitar [09- now]
Janne Tolsa, keyboards [05- now]
Juho Raappana, drums [08- now]
Past members:
Olli-Pekka Törrö - guitars [94-99] & keyboards [97-98]
Petri Sankala - drums [99-03, 05-08] (ex-Kalmah)
Antti Kokko - lead guitar [00-03] (Kalmah)
Pasi Hiltula - keyboards [99-03] (ex-Kalmah)
Risto Ruuth - lead guitar [05-09]
Antti-Matti "Antza" Talala - guitars [99-00]
Aurora Borealis
Eternal Tears of Sorrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the moon is losing its shape
I'm here again to see
Nightly dance of the flames
Once my father bore his sword
To defend the clan till the end
Now he braves the battles
In the silence of night
I stare at those ancient lights
Which enlighten the way from the cradle
And lead warriors in grave
They have always been
And they will never change
They light the fire of soul
And keep it burning bright
And behind the scattered clouds
Star field of the sky
Brings back the dreams I already lost
Shall I ever be like him?
Brave warrior of night
Whose name will be
Written on the northern lights
In the silence of night
I stare at those ancient lights
Which enlighten the way from the cradle
And lead warriors in grave
They have always been
And they will never change
They light the fire of soul
And keep it burning bright
The lyrics of Aurora Borealis by Eternal Tears of Sorrow depict a powerful reverence for the northern lights and their significance in the lives of warriors. The song speaks of a father who once wielded his sword to defend his clan with honor and courage, yet has now passed on his legacy to the next generation, who themselves look to the Aurora Borealis for guidance in the midst of battle.
The lyrics describe the northern lights as a constant force, representing the eternal light of the soul which keeps burning bright even in the face of adversity. They are a beacon of hope, offering guidance to those who seek it, reminding the singer of the dreams that he has already lost along the way. The northern lights contextualize the human experience, reminding us that life is not forever, and that we must cherish the moments we have while we can.
Overall, Aurora Borealis is a song about perseverance against all odds. It is about the strength that comes from tradition and the guidance we take from those that have come before us. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, the light of the soul will always shine.
Line by Line Meaning
Under a darkened sun, they are born
Aurora Borealis is born at dawn when the sun is not yet up, but the sky is dim, and the Northern Lights emerge.
When the moon is losing its shape
The Northern Lights shine their brightest when the moon is fading away and the sky is at its darkest.
I'm here again to see
The singer is excited to witness the nightly Aurora Borealis display again.
Nightly dance of the flames
The Northern Lights swaying and dancing across the sky is a sight to behold.
Once my father bore his sword
The artist's father was a brave warrior who protected their community.
To defend the clan till the end
The singer's father was willing to fight to protect their kin, even if it meant his life.
Now he braves the battles
The singer's father is no longer alive, but his spirit still endures in the beauty of the Aurora Borealis.
Between red northern flames
The Northern Lights glow in a beautiful red cast that reminds the artist of battles and struggles.
In the silence of night
The artist enjoys watching the Northern Lights in the quiet of a night's solitude.
I stare at those ancient lights
The Aurora Borealis is a timeless natural wonder that has been around for centuries.
Which enlighten the way from the cradle
The Northern Lights have guided people throughout history and symbolize the beauty and mystery of the world.
And lead warriors in grave
The Aurora Borealis has inspired awe in warriors and people throughout time, including those who have passed on.
They have always been
The Aurora Borealis is a natural and timeless wonder that has existed for centuries.
And they will never change
The Aurora Borealis will remain the same beautiful and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon for future generations to behold.
They light the fire of soul
The beauty of the Northern Lights inspires a passion and fire in the singers soul.
And keep it burning bright
The Aurora Borealis ignites a spark inside of the artist's heart that will continue to burn bright.
And behind the scattered clouds
Even when the sky is cloudy, the beautiful Northern Lights still shine behind the hazy veil.
Star field of the sky
The heavens are as vast and infinite as the beautiful and awe-inspiring display of the Northern Lights.
Brings back the dreams I already lost
The singer remembers past dreams and ambitions that might have slipped away but are rekindled by the wonder and beauty of the Aurora Borealis.
Shall I ever be like him?
The artist is inspired by their father's bravery and wonders whether they will live a life as similarly meaningful and courageous.
Brave warrior of night
The artist envisions themselves as becoming a fearless guardian of the night, inspired by the beauty and awe of the Northern Lights.
Whose name will be
The artist envisions leaving a positive impact in the world, such that their name might be remembered and associated with courage and bravery.
Written on the northern lights
The Aurora Borealis immortalizes people and their stories through its timeless beauty and wonder.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Firas Watch
Under a darkened sun they are born
When the moon is losing its shape
I'm here again to see
The nightly dance of the flames
Once my father bore his sword
To defend the clan till the end
Now he braves the battles
Between the red northern flames
In the silence of the night
I stare at those ancient lights
Which enlighten the way from the cradle
And lead warriors into the grave
They have always been
And they will never change
They light the fire of a soul
And keep it burning bright
And behind the scattered clouds
The star field of the sky
Brings back the dreams I already lost
Shall I ever be like him
The brave warrior of the night,
Whose name will be written
In the northern lights
zaelie
I used to listen to this band when I was 14 staring out my window into space at the moon and stars. I swore one day I was going to travel somewhere where I can see Aurora Borealis and listen to this song. I don't care if it takes me til I'm 50, I'm still going to do it, it must be done. I can't let down my 14 year old self.
Anne S. Neinhartt
Sooo, did you do it?
Vojtěch Kubiš
yeh man, how are you?
Nena
This has been one of my dreams too since I was a teenager
Firas Watch
Under a darkened sun they are born
When the moon is losing its shape
I'm here again to see
The nightly dance of the flames
Once my father bore his sword
To defend the clan till the end
Now he braves the battles
Between the red northern flames
In the silence of the night
I stare at those ancient lights
Which enlighten the way from the cradle
And lead warriors into the grave
They have always been
And they will never change
They light the fire of a soul
And keep it burning bright
And behind the scattered clouds
The star field of the sky
Brings back the dreams I already lost
Shall I ever be like him
The brave warrior of the night,
Whose name will be written
In the northern lights
Hussain Ali
THANKS
Subhojyoti Dutta
One of the most underrated bands....i consider this one a Clasic Master piece....What a showcase of Keyboard,drums,guitars....Melodic yet soooo dark....JUST AWESOME...My best...GREETINGS FROM INDIA.....METAL-HEADS OF THE WORLD UNITED......\m/...\m/
Clean Slate
India? :'D
Richie Rich
The first ETOS song that I have heard, it's been 15 years now. Super underrated band, one of the best Melodeath bands ever!
Noelia Veteläinen Suomi
Me encanta Eternal Tears of Sorrow, es mi banda preferida. Altti es el mejor cantante del mundo!! :D