The Last One for Life

While this era of ETOS’ career would be my favorite, this song isn’t exactly what I would like to be stranded on an island with. My biggest reason would be do to the male clean vocals and the very child-like keys. Therefore, the atmosphere of the song is very immature, and it brings down the rest of the instruments with it. Sure, you have a Kokko from Kalmah on the guitar, but it doesn’t help because the song sounds like it’s played at daycares! Even Altti’s demonic, gnarly screams don’t have any lasting effect! Pasi Hiltula (the guy on keys) is one of my favorite keyboardists, but his work in this song is detrimental to the effort as a whole. Only during the solo does this song sound majestic, thriving, and magical.

Shit, instead of throwing up the horns I feel like I’m stuck in a Tim Burton film… for kids… Had they stuck with giving the driving melody to the guitars (like at the end of the song), and then it may not have sounded so immature.

Now for the Paradise Lost cover - it’s a step in the right direction. The mood is remorseful, bass is jazzy as a motherfucker, and the driving tune is given to the guitars; all right now we’re starting off on the right foot. Keyboards sound more like a piano and don’t hit any high-notes, giving an extra somber tone throughout the piece. The song is slow as hell and the rhythm riff is addicting as dates (you know those middle eastern sweets you eat). Altti’s vocals are generally unchanged, as are the drums that are organic but don’t show off at all. So, it’s a “good” song, but doesn’t really standout too far.

“The Last One For Life” is a tune I’ll remember for weeks just because of the childish tune, while the Paradise Lost cover is something I’ll forget but know I enjoyed, even mildly. Therefore, it’s better to execute something right than to go flamboyant and just make me mad. Don’t let that be the gist of the album though – there are way better songs like “Prophetian” and “Aeon” that obliterate this single within the first ten seconds.