Ensiferum
Unsung Heroes
Spinefarm Records
2012
Certainly, this Finnish band causes much talking around its name with every new release. They are one of the top acts of their genre and for that reason, they have a lot of followers and many more rivals. I postponed presenting this album a little to see the fans’ reactions and how the majority of the press would react on the new album.
“Unsung Heroes” is following the band’s certain songwriting formula… but it also has new elements. The question is… do we want to see bands evolving with every new release… or we prefer to listen to a specific album that was probably a band’s massive release again and again? Hmm, it’s hard for the fans to decide… that’s why there will always be those that follow the band in every new step and those who will stop dealing with them… but still listen to cheap copycats that reminded them of the once beloved band… and so on.
Ensiferum are among the top metal bands that wonderfully blend folk melodies, with extreme voices/growls, heavy guitars, Viking-epic choirs & symphonic parts… under a metallic contextual. There’s quite a variety on the album… from heavier songs up to folk ones with acoustic guitars and amazing female vocals. The album mostly keeps a mid-pace and the band has delivered some remarkable song arrangements while all the performances are excellent. The only downside is the production, which would more preferably be punchier and more powerful. This thing is largely noticeable when the band goes metal… the acoustic/folk parts have a very clear and rich sound. There’s a bunch of guest appearances on the album such as: Volk-Man, Ady & Fuchs on additional voices by Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Pasi Puolakka on flute, Descant & sopranino recorders, Ulla Bürger on soprano vocals, Laura Dziadulewicz on vocals, Vesa-Matti Loiri (Finnish actor, musician & comedian) on speech, Kasper Mårtenson on moog, Timo Väänänen on kantele & Lassi Lógren on nyckelharpa.
The band seems to be moving forward by hook or by crook, not fairly caring about the old fans’ grumbles. Surely, this album may cost them a few of the old followers but I’m pretty sure that will bring a lot more on their shore. They are brave enough to try out new things like the 17 minute “Passion Proof Power”, where they go into some progressive fields. I like seeing a band evolving and not staying in safe waters… even if that might cost them a part of their fan base. “Unsung Heroes” is a well-written and performed album that introduces a new, renewed side of the band. Come what may… Ensiferum are doing what they do best… and those who are not happy with that may as well turn their heads away and seek for something that pleases them. This is a very good album that will please those who look for decent, folk metal music with an epic feeling… so just take it or leave it…
“Unsung Heroes” is following the band’s certain songwriting formula… but it also has new elements. The question is… do we want to see bands evolving with every new release… or we prefer to listen to a specific album that was probably a band’s massive release again and again? Hmm, it’s hard for the fans to decide… that’s why there will always be those that follow the band in every new step and those who will stop dealing with them… but still listen to cheap copycats that reminded them of the once beloved band… and so on.
Ensiferum are among the top metal bands that wonderfully blend folk melodies, with extreme voices/growls, heavy guitars, Viking-epic choirs & symphonic parts… under a metallic contextual. There’s quite a variety on the album… from heavier songs up to folk ones with acoustic guitars and amazing female vocals. The album mostly keeps a mid-pace and the band has delivered some remarkable song arrangements while all the performances are excellent. The only downside is the production, which would more preferably be punchier and more powerful. This thing is largely noticeable when the band goes metal… the acoustic/folk parts have a very clear and rich sound. There’s a bunch of guest appearances on the album such as: Volk-Man, Ady & Fuchs on additional voices by Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Pasi Puolakka on flute, Descant & sopranino recorders, Ulla Bürger on soprano vocals, Laura Dziadulewicz on vocals, Vesa-Matti Loiri (Finnish actor, musician & comedian) on speech, Kasper Mårtenson on moog, Timo Väänänen on kantele & Lassi Lógren on nyckelharpa.
The band seems to be moving forward by hook or by crook, not fairly caring about the old fans’ grumbles. Surely, this album may cost them a few of the old followers but I’m pretty sure that will bring a lot more on their shore. They are brave enough to try out new things like the 17 minute “Passion Proof Power”, where they go into some progressive fields. I like seeing a band evolving and not staying in safe waters… even if that might cost them a part of their fan base. “Unsung Heroes” is a well-written and performed album that introduces a new, renewed side of the band. Come what may… Ensiferum are doing what they do best… and those who are not happy with that may as well turn their heads away and seek for something that pleases them. This is a very good album that will please those who look for decent, folk metal music with an epic feeling… so just take it or leave it…