Review Summary: Something for everyone, great melodies, headbanging riffs, excellent vocals and very good lead work.
Ensiferum debuted with this full length album half a decade ago, and I must say that they haven't topped it yet. Formed several years before the release of this CD, the group on this recording includes several well known Finnish musicians like Jari Maenpaa (Wintersun) and Trollhorn (Finntroll). The group is basically viking metal in essence, some say folk metal too but the folk influence is not as prominent as it is in a band like Falkenbach. Regardless, this album does everything right for a metal cd that is incorperating viking elements.
First should be noted that this album is pretty accessible for anyone,production is good, songs aren't too long, and there are still clean vocals that go along with the harsh vocals. The music is very simple at heart but is executed well. There are a few riffs in each song (usually in verse chorus bridge structure) but the songs build up and have enough breaks and variations so that the song is never boring and over before you know it. The riffing is best described as very simple melodies in a folkish style (played on a distorted guitar) with power chords underneath, accompanied by solid bass and drums. Vocals are very powerful. Ranging from growls to all out screams, Jari delivers excellent vocals as always. The clean ensemble vocals are also a joy to listen.
Each song contains its own hook (a main theme) that is centered around. It could be the huge and epic clean chorus of Battle Song or the melody of Hero in a Dream, or the acoustic melody in the beginning of Eternal. Verse and choruses tend to be simple musically letting vocals take over, and are also short enough so that there are several choruses in each song, giving a nice familiarity after a few listens to the cd. The beautiful thing about this cd is that it has an immense replay value. Your favorite song will probably change every month or so if you take the time to listen to the whole cd once or twice a month. There are just to many catchy riffs (and not the annoying stuck in your head all day pop melody catchy) and melodies here that every song is interesting.
The lead guitar work is also immense. Jari plays some extremely clean leads on some of the songs (only a few feature solos). His sweep picking is as crystal clear as on the Wintersun cd, and the lead harmonies have a beautiful folk sound to them that is extremely pleasing. The vocals are also extremely well done. Whether it be the Battle Song clean chorus or the screamed bridge of Old Man, this album is full of emotions. Lyrics are also not too cheesy for the genre, not much based in mythology (except vainamoinen), instead more of a story telling style usually based on warriors and battles. The drumming is also spot on, delivering fast beats usually driven by double bass and snare on 2 and 4, with the occasional half time feel in the hi hat and snare. The bass also adds a nice heavy foundation to the music, which is nothing innovative but does give the necessary bottom for the headbanging riffs on this album.
Pros
-Great Melodies
-Great Solos
-Great Vocals
-Great Replay Value
