Ensiferum charting for victory

Finnish melodic epic folk metallers Ensiferum have delivered their latest studio record, ‘One Man Army’. It debuted on February 20th in Europe, 23rd in the United Kingdom and on 24th in North America, via Metal Blade Records. The new album was recorded over the course of three weeks at Astia Studio in Lappeenranta in their home country, Finland, with platinum-selling Finnish producer Anssi Kippo.

Through the subsequent week after its release, Ensiferum filmed a brand new video clip in Poland with notorious Grupa 13. The production team responsible for the release were behind metal’s most relentless video clips bearing deeds done with blackened death metallers Behemoth, Germanic lunatic Die Apokalyptischen Reiter and Viking aspirants, Swedish battalion Amon Amarth. The self-titled video ‘One Man Army’ can be watched and heard below.

[blockquote cite=”Petri Lindroos”]We worked hard and long days one after another while Anssi Kippo kicked our asses to make us do the very best, and you can hear that on this album. It’s a killer album with killer sound. I’m very proud of a part of this masterpiece![/blockquote]

Meanwhile, the act’s bass player also had something to sum honoring this matter:

[blockquote cite=”Sami Hinkka”]We are extremely proud to announce that the album is 100% done! The recording session was an incredible experience for us. We can’t express our gratitude enough for Mr. Anssi Kippo, who never lost his nerves, was full of crazy ideas and worked like a madman for weeks! The shortest working day was 12 hours and the average was around 16 hours! After all “blood, sweat and tears,” it feels great to tell you that the result for years of hard composing and weeks of intense recordings is without a doubt the best Ensiferum album song- and sound-wise. Material is pretty diverse, and each song tells a tale of its own instead of being a crappy copy of a previous song, so no fillers included.[/blockquote]

‘One Man Army’ debuted at #167 on Billboard’s Top 200 Current Albums Chart, #19 on Billboard’s Hard Music Chart, #36 on Billboard’s Independent Albums Chart and #9 on Billboard’s Heekseekers Chart. In Canada, ‘One Man Army’ came in at #69 on the Top 200 Current Albums Chart, #13 on the Hard Music Chart and #126 on the Digital Music Charts. On the Official Top 100 Charts in Europe, the record earned the coveted #1 slot in Finland, #15 Germany, #37 Austria and #24 Switzerland. Additionally, Ensiferum’s ‘One Many Army’ has ranked among the top five entries in the iTunes Metal Charts in multiple territories.

1. March Of War
2. Axe Of Judgement
3. Heathen Horde
4. One Man Army
5. Burden Of The Fallen
6. Warrior Without A War
7. Cry For The Earth Bounds
8. Two Of Spades
9. My Ancestors’ Blood
10. Descendants, Defiance, Domination
11. Neito Pohjolan

Ensiferum has been flying the flag of epic, folk-infused melodic metal high and proud for two decades. Commended for being, “their most polished album to date,” by Metal Hammer Magazine and, “one of folk metal’s finest acts…,” by Loudwire Magazine, the band’s predominantly analog-recorded, eleven-track ‘One Man Army’ full-length was captured by award-winning producer Anssi Kippo (Children Of Bodom, Impaled Nazarene, Entwine etc.) at Astia Studios in Lappeenranta, Finland and continues to reap critical hails from media both stateside and abroad. MetalSucks dubs the offering, “warlike and fiery,” About.com agrees noting, “‘One Man Army’ is Ensiferum at their finest. The three years between releases worked to the band’s benefit as their execution and adventurous songwriting finds them with a renewed passion and energy.” Sputnik Music applauds, “a solid LP forged in the crucible of war,” while Revolver Magazine adds, “‘One Man Army’ blasts forth with symphonic guitar orchestrations, double-time drum gallops, quick-changing dynamics and operatic vocal chorales that would make 19th century homeboys Pacius and Sibelius proud.”

Ensiferum’s preceding studio record entitled ‘Unsung Heroes’, was released on August 27th via cult Finnish record label, Spinefarm Records. ‘Unsung Heroes’ was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa (in charge of the production for HIM, and Sentenced) at Petrax Studio (where Children Of Bodom and Nightwish also produced their records) in Hollola, Finland and surrounding areas of Hämeenlinna.

Ensiferum will return to North America this Spring Solstice on a co-headlining tour with countrymates, Korpiklaani. Scheduled to commence on May 6th in Los Angeles, the band will pillage their way through nearly two dozen cities with the march coming to a close on May 29th in New York City. Trollfest will provide additional support. The tour follows the band’s European trek alongside Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum later this month.