Some metal bands are just a tad too bombastic for their own good. It’s one thing for legends like Maiden and Priest to release records that threaten to sag under their own OTT nature, it is quite another for the vast majority of the depressingly large power metal scene (Manowar are, of course, the worst offenders) to inflict upon the world a ton of albums that offer nothing but soggy riffs and lyrics about wanking over dragons...or something. The recent trend of bands from the world of folk metal to move towards the horrid flatulence of power metal has produced plenty of divisions, and even more bad records.
As a result it is refreshing to hear an album such as 'Unsung Heroes', one that steers itself straight towards silly bombast but manages to avoid many of the pitfalls of doing so along the way. Of course no band should be allowed to get away with the ridiculous lyrical content that makes up opener proper 'In My Sword I Trust', but, at times this is a record that has enough to offer musically to avoid collapsing into one massive pile of mouldy cheese. Much is gained from the band’s willingness to dip their toes into true folk on 'Celestial Bond' and to push the boat out on the seventeen minute opus that is closer 'Passion Proof Power'. Rather than being nine-tenths uninspiring classic metal and one-tenth terrible power ballad, 'Unsung Heroes' moves in occasionally unexpected, if not exactly original, directions.
Perhaps it is best to say that this album is greater than the sum of its parts. By avoiding too many clichés and by showing themselves to be prepared to improve their musicality and diversify their songwriting, Ensiferum have knocked in another solid effort. However, that is all it is, solid. For those who like their metal with a slightly soft underbelly, but don’t want to be completely embarrassed if caught listening to it, 'Unsung Heroes' has something to offer. For more seasoned metalheads it is unlikely to cause too much excitement, but it may still be worth giving a go.
'Unsung Heroes' is out on August 27th via Spinefarm. Ensiferum tour the UK in September.
Tue September 18th 2012 - O2 Academy Islington, London
Wed September 19th 2012 - Manchester Moho Live, Manchester
Fri September 21st 2012 - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
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As a result it is refreshing to hear an album such as 'Unsung Heroes', one that steers itself straight towards silly bombast but manages to avoid many of the pitfalls of doing so along the way. Of course no band should be allowed to get away with the ridiculous lyrical content that makes up opener proper 'In My Sword I Trust', but, at times this is a record that has enough to offer musically to avoid collapsing into one massive pile of mouldy cheese. Much is gained from the band’s willingness to dip their toes into true folk on 'Celestial Bond' and to push the boat out on the seventeen minute opus that is closer 'Passion Proof Power'. Rather than being nine-tenths uninspiring classic metal and one-tenth terrible power ballad, 'Unsung Heroes' moves in occasionally unexpected, if not exactly original, directions.
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