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Rating: When one gets stuck on a single genre, they make a big mistake. Even the rocks know this. You can encounter two types of problems in this case: either you have no ears or eyes for anything that is not, as they say, "True," and as a result, you're inclined to judge all productions that do not meet certain instrumental and artistic standards as trash; or one fine morning, you might stumble upon an exceptional album, masterfully played and rich in content, that leaves you speechless and makes you feel like an idiot for not having had the necessary open-mindedness to welcome it sooner.
All this prologue served no purpose if now, speaking of Ensiferum and their latest album "Victory Songs," you start to rant. Too "Power" to be appreciated by those who are fixated on "Viking" and "Folk," too "Swedish" for those who love Power and the tight, epic rhythms. So what then? What are Ensiferum today? Or rather: what do Ensiferum represent today, the same band that previously released an explosive, powerful, hypnotic and epic album named after themselves? What are these five Finns who have built their fortune on battles, swords, axes, choral songs, and hymns to the Eternal Glory of the past?
It's hard to answer. Especially because the conditions are there for today's Ensiferum to be loved by a substantial portion of the audience, who never miss an opportunity to glorify the genre to which they belong (which, very heterogeneously, also includes Manegarm, Moonsorrow, Wintersun. Just to name a few). But likewise, there will be those (and unfortunately, I believe there will not be a few) who will scoff at them, judging them as charlatans. Nothing more than a sideshow attraction.
Come on, we're all getting fed up with people like Amon Amarth and the like, given the times. Ugly, dirty, bad people, who do nothing but deify Viking battles, talk only about the Scandinavian mythological pantheon, and produce extremely original and powerful things that no one across the ocean can match.
If that's what being fed up means, then I'll line up to have mine pierced. And for Ensiferum before anything else. At least for the old ones, that is. For these, orphans of their Deus Ex Machina Jari, perhaps I might think more than once, but I assure you that no matter how things go, whatever Ensiferum are or have been, listening to their latest effort (the third in ten years, excluding the useless "Dragonheads") is always an exquisite pleasure that would be inhumane to deny to those who shudder at these things.
The ingredients are all there and are always in the tried-and-true formula of the house: fast guitars which, in their respective sections, remain highly distinguishable and sharp as razors, drums always ready to burst into frenzied tempos, the new singer's "Harsh" vocals powerful and well-calibrated, with diverse nuances, capable of moving from a clean, sad "clear" to raw and naked sonic aggression, always maintaining within the standards and style of a certain Swedish-stamped Melodic Death.
Perhaps Ensiferum has decided today to rely on a different appeal, seeking to derive atmospheres of places and things in a different manner than in the past. Here, the focus is on greater melodic thrust, revolving around epic and colossal concepts that, with their magic, can make the listener feel, if only they would kindly close their eyes, as if they were on the eve of a decisive and bloody battle. This is the purpose of the choirs, the traditional instruments used (even a lonely and distant bagpipe appears in the title track "Victory Songs"), and all the bric-a-brac that is part of the band's corollary.
Think, for example, of the intro "Ad Victoriam," and tell me if what I wrote earlier doesn't hold true. Logical, provided you have the sensitivity and necessary imagination to realize its content. And then, without skipping anything, isn't that "Blood Is The Price Of Glory" in second place a real blow? Isn't it perhaps a pleasure for the ears?
It's pointless for me to get lost in chatter, explaining song by song what Ensiferum manage to communicate. It's a superfluous effort. To appreciate them, you will have to listen to them, enjoy them, make them your own, and perhaps, if you know how to be constant in your passion, by the sky, you will see Thor on his goat-drawn chariot streaking across the sky with his hammer.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Blood Is the Price of Glory (05:17)
Before the grimmest enemy
Cold rain whipping those proud faces
Warriors raising their spirits
Despising death as they rush forward
Blood of the brothers drains to the ground
Stirring up rage, giving them power
Trampling the enemy with their feet
Without fear they fight
Can you hear the call of the North Star
Feel its longing in your heart
This bond is eternal, sworn through blood
At the end we will stand as one
Evil if the daylight dies
Our horde marches on and on
If we should fall down to the ground
We'll rise again and never give up!
But for some it's all too much
This honorable battle and bloodshed
They flee like a swarm of craven rats
Leaving their brothers to a certain death
The last furious men
They didn't fear death or pain
They held up their swords and shields
As winners they stood on the battlefield
Can you hear the call of the North Star
Feel its longing in your heart
This bond is eternal, sworn through blood
At the end we will stand as one
Evil if the daylight dies
Our horde marches on and on
If we should fall down to the ground
We'll rise again and never give up!
Run away you cowards
We turn our backs on you
The shame that now stains your name
Will only brighten our glory
Those who fight till their last breath
And fall with honor
Their names and deeds shall live forever
Never to be forgotten
No axe stayed in your weak hand
No shields protected you from the blows of your enemies
Get out of our sight
The war has no need for traitors
Can you hear the call of the North Star
Feel its longing in your heart
This bond is eternal, sworn through blood
At the end we will stand as one
Evil if the daylight dies
Our horde marches on and on
If we should fall down to the ground
We'll rise again and never give up!
03 Deathbringer From the Sky (05:10)
High above the ground
Beyond the thunderclouds
A black shade is flying alone
Once so feared among men
Now the legend is becoming too old
But finally the horrifying truth is about to unfold
Deathbringer from the sky
Hunting victims in the night
Feel the terror, as flames are burning bright
There is&no tower as high or cave so deep
That can save you from its endless spite
So bow down and face your wretched destiny
A den filled with treasures and gold
No longer calms his spirit so cold
Again it's time to spread the wings of doom
A growl shakes the ground
Flames blind men and smoke covers the stars
As he rises towards an ancient sky
The era of total chaos will arrive
Men shall flee in fear
My name will haunt their mortal souls
I'll burn their flesh and I'll crush their bones
Your screams can't make me feel pity or regret
I only feel furious hatred
With fire my domination is gained
Shall burn away and let my kind rule the world again
04 Ahti (03:55)
At the time of sundown
Nature bathes in colours
In silence it waits
For the approaching force
In the halls of Ainola
The true king of dark waters
Lurks with his mistress
and with mob of sea creatures
Under the waves of a blue lake
Dwells the mighty Ahti!
Sailors praise the glorious name
Of the The ruler of tides; Ahti!
At the shores of a northern land
Pray mortal men
Destruction for the arrogant fools
A reward for humble souls
The great lurker of the seas
Is pleased of the sacrifice
The waters are calm
Today no storm shall rise!
Foreign ship filled with infidels
They didn't listen to the northern men
From a dead calm storm will rise
And they'll face the wrath of the sea
Take care that your heir
Don't turn out too proud
Or your bloodline will drown into a vast ocean
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