Ensiferum's 'From Afar' very nearly tipped the Finnish folk-metallers into 'modern classic' territory. Its follow up, 2012's lacklustre 'Unsung Heroes', promptly put a stop to that chatter. 'One Man Army' is here to make things right.
Axe Of Judgement tears into the listener with the utmost ferocity. The frantic, thrashing drive missing on 'Unsung Heroes' is here in bucketloads, with Petri Lindroos roaring along as if gargling piss-stained razorblades. As always this is chorus driven, chest-thumping metal that pumps testosterone from the speakers through an unquestionably huge gang vocal. There's a weird keyboard bridge that kinda sounds like a Christmas song, but it's soon dispensed with and replaced by MORE METAL.
Ensiferum are billed as a folk metal band, but they've slowly morphed into a metal band with folk influences. The archaic breakdown on Heathen Horde is a nifty addition but it's the sweeping choral parts that complete the song, summoning that primal energy necessary to embark on a Tolkienesque quest through a blizzard.
The bulk of 'One Man Army' conforms to the Ensiferum handbook. ‘Titanic, thrashing melodeath riffs' is the name of this game and it is well played. Numbers like Warrior Without A War and the title track are destined to become live favourites, but the occasional deviations harvest interesting results as well.
Two Of Spades is Ensiferum's moment. Much like Sabaton's To Hell And Back from 'Heroes', it genuinely sounds like a cover – a cover of what exactly is uncertain, but this radical stylistic shift is exhilarating. Spewing forth jovial riffage in the vein of Children of Bodom embroiled in a serious drinking session, Two Of Spades is the freshest song the band have released since Twilight Tavern. There's even a '70s disco mid-section with whistling, hand clapping and sleazy hi-hat tomfoolery.
The folk aspect briefly comes into full swing with closing track NeitoPohjolan, on which a Spaghetti Western soundscape is laid down for EmmiSilvennoinen, whose gorgeous tones envelope the listener in a, well, not very metal fashion. While this may piss off some purists, one can only hope Ensiferum'sfanbase is a more open-minded bunch.
This band has never followed the horde. Even with the misfire that was 'Unsung Heroes', at least they can smile and say they tried something new. 'One Man Army' is the sound of Ensiferum accepting who they are: a fun metal band that can invoke spells of epic grandeur and rage in equal measure.
Ensiferum Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Tue March 24 2015 - LONDON O2 Academy Islington
Click here to compare & buy Ensiferum Tickets at Stereoboard.com.
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
