Written by musclassia on 13.07.2020 at 14:12

Struggling to pinpoint who the newer vocalist reminds me of - Stratovarius has been mentioned but I don't think he sounds too obviously like Timo Kotipelti. If anything, I'm getting 1980s Geoff Tate vibes at times, along with other people I can't properly identify yet. it's an interesting tone; this album does feel more 'power metal' in certain songs than I remember Ensiferum being previously

Edit: maybe a bit of Keeper of the Seven Keys Michael Kiske/Helloween at times too?

I got shades of Geoff Tate when I was listening his performance.

Written by musclassia on 13.07.2020 at 14:12

Struggling to pinpoint who the newer vocalist reminds me of - Stratovarius has been mentioned but I don't think he sounds too obviously like Timo Kotipelti. If anything, I'm getting 1980s Geoff Tate vibes at times, along with other people I can't properly identify yet. it's an interesting tone; this album does feel more 'power metal' in certain songs than I remember Ensiferum being previously

Edit: maybe a bit of Keeper of the Seven Keys Michael Kiske/Helloween at times too?

Maybe a little bit of Joacim Cans as well, especially in the chorus of One With The Sea

It would be a great album without Pekka Montin on the vocals. He's got a good voice except it doesn't fit the style at all, maybe cause he sounds like Timo Kotipelto from Stratovarius. That said, Rum, Women, Victory, The Defence Of The Sampo and Run From The Crushing Tide are killer tracks and One With The Sea is probably the only song where Pekka's vocals don't really bother me.

Pretty fun album but not to the level of One Man Army. I really liked the more folky latter songs of the album.

I'm impressed! I didn't think Ensiferum had it in them anymore. Feels very fresh with Pekka on the vocals and band has a very infectious energy in most of the songs here. Great comeback album for sure. I personally haven't liked much from the band since From Afar. One Man Army had the boring drone backing vocals which were supposed to sound epic but instead made the album sound generic. With Pekka, they removed those drone vocals and replaced them with excitement and energy. It took a few listens for me to really get used to the new style, but now i'm hooked!

Highlights: For Sirens, Andromeda, Rum, Women Victory, Midsummer Magic

This is the first album after "From Afar" that actually sounds like Ensiferum. They found their path again and gifted us with songs like "Andromeda", "Run From The Crushing Tide" "For Sirens" and even a new Vainamoinen part that I dare to say that it is equal to the old legendary ones.

Very nice and enjoyable record. It could be a perfect if it wasn't because I felt on two tracks (For Sirens and One With The Sea) their instrumental interludes a little lackluster. Nonetheless, that's another gem by those guys.

Never liked extreme folk and Ensiferum is not for my liking.

This is pretty good. Some really great moments. My only criticisms are that I would like it to be a little more guitar-centric and the fact that I like Pekka's vocals, but I think the album is a bit unbalanced considering the songs are so reliant on them. Overall, very good album and worth the wait.

Pretty decent album. Andromeda is a real earworm though. Can't get rid of that song in my head since the last 2-3 days.

The 80s Kiske influence seems apparent, but am I the only one who caught shades of Midnight-era Crimson Glory in the cleans?

This one is great. old school influences and lots of fun! been spinning it a lot!

Really that rating? This is the first album from Ensiferum don't like (Pekka Montin takes me out)

I prefer Unsung Heroes much more for example, at least this one kept a very good feeling.

It's a good album. "Cold Northland" is fucking majestic, absolutely adore this song. "Run from the Crushing Tide" and "Andromeda" are also stellar. Didn't care much for "Midsummer Magic". Liking the new cleans but I think I still prefer the ones from Petri and Jari.

Amazing the contrast in tone between midsummer magic and cold northland. Good album overall, but my only criticism is a little too reliant on the new vocalist, and no guitar solos (that I noticed).