Band:	Eternal Tears Of Sorrow
Album:	A Virgin And A Whore
Style:	Melodic death metal, Extreme power metal
Release date:	October 18, 2001
Guest review by:	MetalAce

01. Aurora Borealis
02. Heart Of Wilderness
03. Prophetian
04. Fall Of Man
05. The River Flows Frozen
06. The Last One For Life
07. Sick, Dirty And Mean [Accept cover]
08. Blood Of Hatred
09. Aeon
10. As I Die [Paradise Lost cover] [Japanese bonus]
11. The River Flows Frozen [acoustic version] [Japanese bonus]

Well, I am a new fan of Eternal Sears Of Sorrow. Some months ago I listened to A Virgin And A Whore for the first time and I really liked how they have produced their music. Aside all this, they sound somewhat similar to Kalmah, although Eternal Sears Of Sorrow is slightly softer and smoother. Actually, Finnish bands are always the greatest symbols of extreme power metal.

Before this album they had released three other albums, and after each album they became stronger and fulfilled their music; perhaps this album is their highest point. On one hand there is a light point in melodies and rhythm, and on the other hand there's a wild face in the album. It's a good result at every point, the overall quality of the work is acceptable and leaves no wonder why this album got 9. Let's face it, this album is really great. Don't think I'm a crazy teen fan, this album is one of those masterpieces which has almost combined softness and wildness in it which seems to be a good idea if you really want to get something good out of it. They do the trick to make the album comfortable and joyful, and can easily get into your head. It is something special around the other extreme power albums.

The band used a unique and very interesting keyboard inside their music that gave their album a taste of power metal, and the following music has the combination of the melodic music aside that. Eternal Sears Of Sorrow's music in this album is cold, but pure and calm.

Thanks to Antti Kokko, this album includes some deep, heartfelt melodies like we usually hear from Kalmah today and when keyboard follows the notes, makes the sound twice deeper, and darker. There is a equivalence and seamless rhythm all over the album and melodies are light and smooth. Fortunately, vocals are suitable for the album with a little wildness beside some soft lyrics. There are some meaningful lyrics behind this work which defines the meaning of the title. The whole album is coordinated, and it seems this album is their best outcome and deserves appreciation.

Eternal Sears Of Sorrow in the old days was a stunning band and still it is: A Virgin And A Whore is a masterpiece. And yet, this album is one of my most favorites.