Year: 2020
Total Time: 43:46
Label: Metal Blade
Counting more than 20 years in the metal industry, ENSIFERUM from Finland remain pioneers in their genre, ideally combining Viking/Folk metal (the feeling and lyrics) with Melodic Death elements. They have been very influential to many bands, that praise them for their first (mainly) outstanding albums. And the truth is that albums like “Ensiferum”, “Iron”, “Victory Songs”, but also “From Afar” and “Unsung Heroes” are very difficult to be matched.
Markus Toivonen, the founder and the only member from the initial line-up of the band, has maintained the successful roster of the last years (Lindroos – Hinkka – Parviainen) and only recruited Pekka Montin, who is now responsible for all clean vocals and keyboards. A move that proved to be very rewarding. And so, with this line-up, they are releasing their eighth music journey, entitled “Thalassic”, which is all sea-related.
ENSIFERUM have never had this subject in their works before. All the songs are stories, myths and facts related to the sea. The journey starts with a three minutes instrumental, “Seafarer’s Dream”. You can close your eyes and dream of the waves and the sailor’s voyages. The best way to get acclimatized. It continues with a song made for concerts, “Rum Women Victory”, which, based on the rhythm and the lyrics, it is a continuation of their last two albums. The first highlight is “Andomeda”. It is basically the myth of Cassiopeia’s daughter, who was offered as a sacrifice (saved by Perseus) to the beast “Kitos” (Leviathan) to save Ethiopia. An epic song, with Lindroos and Montin alternating vocals.
“The Defence Of The Sampo” is the myth of Kalevala. The Finnish epic poem that recites the story of Vainamoinen, who steals a magical artifact (Sampo), guarded by the witch Louhi, who has assumed the form of a giant bird. This battle can be seen on the album’s cover, masterly crafted by the one and only Gyula Havancsak (the man behind the covers of band like ANNIHILATOR, KREATOR, GRAVE DIGGER, ACCEPT and other). “Run From The Crushing Tide” has neck-breaking speed guitars and has a more power/speed metal feeling, with some high pitched vocals at the end that fit in perfectly. The next song is “For Sirens”, a typical ENSIFERUM song the peaks at the chorus. “One With The Sea” is an amazing ballad. If the whole album has a satisfying vocal collaboration between Lindroos and Montin, this song will surprise you with Mortin’s performance. He brings to mind Timo Kotipelto during the chorus. “Midsummer Magic” is the folkiest song and carries the air of summer fairs in Finland. Quite amusing. As a conclusion, the 9 minutes long epic song “Cold Northland (Vainamoinen Part III)”, reminiscent of the band’s first years, is all about Kalevala’s hero. The first two parts are in their first album. This is the best highlight. The flawless production is Janne Joutsenniemi’s work, who was also responsible for “Victory Songs” and “From Afar”.
The Finnish “Drakkar” seemed to be in a standstill during the last years. It was as if a magic power held it immobile, with sirens singing the memories of their good old days. But Markus, as an excellent sailor, did the perfect check-mate move, recruiting Pekka Montin and managed to return the ship back on the right path. It might not be as good as the albums of their first decade, but there are many parts that remind them. Exquisite!
Rating: 7.5/10
Editor: Nikos Vlachos
Related Link: ENSIFERUM – Official Page
