It Takes True Heroes to write Unsung Heroes – A Review of Ensiferum’s New Album

Another Folk Metal review? Why of course! However this time I’m reviewing a lesser known band.  It’s this small little group from Finland that’s just starting to get a following…Ensiferum is it?  Sarcasm aside, I was thrilled to be able to give this album a whirl.  Ensiferum is arguably the most recognized band in the Folk Metal genre, and that’s because they know how to deliver a combination of storytelling, impressive musicianship, and a gesture of complete and utter epicness.  So let’s see if Unsung Heroes meets our expectations…

Band: Ensiferum
Album: Unsung Heroes
Genre: Pagan/Folk Metal
Label: Spinefarm
Release Date: August 27, 2012

I like to break down albums song-by-song, but if you want to spare yourself from a plethora of reading, I’ll give a quick synopsis of the album for you.  It’s a great leap forward for Ensiferum.  Not only does it show the range of the band’s musical attributions, it shows that they can make more than just catchy battle songs.  Petri’s vocals really flow well with the enhanced atmosphere of the album and it shows.  They’ve also added new dynamics to their overall sound, and even though the drum work seemed to lack a strong presence on the album, everything feels like one cohesive work of art.  Now on to the track-by-track review.

The album starts off with an instrumental introduction, “Symbols“, which seems to be a trending style in creating a more dramatic effect.  This track in particular does succeed in delivering an awe-inspiring orchestration that brings you to a far off, ancient land filled with mysticism and unexpected splendor.  The sounds are almost ethereal and quite reminiscent of composition you might find on the most recent Nightwish release.  The song gently ends and the first track featuring the band starts up.

I found that the opening riff for “In My Sword I Trust” had a nice heavy metal groove to it, then the staple Ensiferum folk riffs came in to remind you that these Finns keep it real.  I personally have found Petri’s vocals unsuitable for certain Ensiferum songs–go ahead and grab your torches and pitchforks.  However, his voice fits this song perfectly, matching the tone and melody fantastically.  Maybe it’s that new belly of his–I think I’ll congratulate it personally.  The song also features an awesome chorus line that no folk metal album can go without, so raise your drinking horns and party like a viking.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_xsJoWqBK4]

The title track “Unsung Heroes” is a bit more mellow but it has that signature Ensiferum style, that no band has been able to successfully replicate. Overall it’s not what it could be as it seems to be lacking instrumental charm.  The choir and female vocals, however, are divine and really add a new layer of melody.

“Burning Leaves” leaked online a few weeks ago so those of you who have been following the band should know how this song turned out: EPIC.  While it lacks a big atmosphere, the soft vocals, chants in Finnish, and beautiful guitar mastery, drive this song as one of the best tracks that the band has ever produced.

But, soft! what voice through yonder Ensiferum song breaks? I’d like to assume that’s the band’s young keyboardist Emmi Silvennoinen.  This track,”Celestial Bond“, caught me by surprise…in a good way! Her voice is subtle, but passionate, and while it is a forgettable voice, this song is in no way forgettable.

Did her voice serenade you to sleep? How are you going to listen to the rest of the album then? Oh nevermind, let the band take care of that.  ”Retribution Shall Be Mine” starts to blast right after Emmi’s soft voice fades away.  The song has the heroic mantra, as expected, but it was completely toned down, which I’d have to say was a good idea.  Repetition can kill any masterpiece, so this interesting mix of speed riffs, epic shreds, gnarly keyboarding, and Petri’s raspy scream pulls off a fun transitional tune.

“Star Queen (Celestial Bond Part II)” continues where Emmi left off in the first part of this compilation.  Finnish lore and masterful instrumentation combined with creatively fun vocal lines complements the entire flow of the album

The next song is another track deeply rooted in Finnish mythology.  ”Pohjola” is basically a condensed epic with shrieking choirs, an illuminating narrative and a triumphant melody.  If the word Pohjola looks familiar, it is a major location found in the great lore of Finland.  Other bands like Amorphis have incorporated Pohjola in their songs.

Okay almost there, take your “Last Breath“.  See what I did there? I don’t.  Anyways, this song sounds like a mellow farewell that includes some well placed atmospheric sounds.  As an acoustic song, it’s a bit lackluster, but the lyrics hold a deep meaning which most people can appreciate.

To finish this story of unsung heroes, Ensiferum thought it would be interesting to add a 17 minute epic at the end of the album.  It’s like the 17 extra pounds Petri added to his abdominal region…only joking.  It’s what you’d expect if Ensiferum sat down and made a 17 minute song. 17 minutes of glory, epicness, and “Passion Proof Power“.  The song shifts from an acoustic folk session, to a lighter sounding Ensiferum track, to a heavy melodic death smash to the face.  The band used more synthetic keyboard melodies much like those of Sabaton, which I personally think adds a little fun to the song.  But it’s broken up in a few places which seem to unevenly break into the next part of the song.  There is even a sampling of what seems like German men talking about Ensiferum in an older village setting.

So this little band from Finland might actually have a chance at making big…ahem, I’ll stop with the pointless sarcasm now.  Ensiferum ends up feeling like that band you grew up with, the one that helped shaped your musical taste, even if you just started listening to them yesterday.  There’s something about the music, the passion, that makes you want to just live in a time where glory could be earned on the battlefield.  Markus Toivonen and Sami Hinkka never disappoint when providing engaging lyrics, though at times cliche, never seem to get old.  Petri  has found his vocal mark and Emmi has left a greater impression.  My major gripe is with the lack-luster drum work provided by Janne Parvainen.  He is no way a casual drummer as he has shown in previous albums, like Victory Songs, that he can deliver battle-ready war beats.  Do I think you should pre-order/buy this album? Do you like having good things? Do you wish you could be more awesome? Did you realize that these are rhetorical questions? YES PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM. You won’t be disappointed…unless you have really stupid expectations that don’t exist in this mortal realm.  Naturally you should expect to see Ensiferum on a worldwide tour soon so stay tuned!

Rating:

Track Listing:

1. Symbols
2. In My Sword I Trust
3. Unsung Heroes
4. Burning Leaves
5. Celestial Bond
6. Retribution Shall Be Mine
7. Star Queen (Celestial Bond II)
8. Pohjola
9. Last Breath
10. Passion Proof Power

Personnel:

Petri Lindroos – lead vocals & guitar
Markus Toivonen – guitar & backing vocals
Sami Hinkka – bass & clean vocals
Emmi Silvennoinen – keyboards & backing vocals
Janne Parvainen – drums

PRE-ORDER