Ensiferum are the folk metal band that everyone is exposed to at some point or another. Typically when you think of folk metal and the sonic aspects of it, Ensiferum is the first band that’ll comes to mind. While the band has been steady with their releases in the past few years, they always manage to resurface just as you’re beginning to wonder where they went. Following that trend, the band have revealed their new album, Two Paths, is on the way.
The press release is as follows:
ENSIFERUM REVEALS NEW ALBUM “TWO PATHS”; LAUNCHES FIRST SINGLE “FOR THOSE ABOUT TO FIGHT FOR METAL”
On September 15th, Ensiferum will release their seventh full-length, ‘Two Paths’, worldwide via Metal Blade Records. Produced by Anssi Kippo (Astia-studio), the master was recorded on tape, for a true analogue experience. To hear the first single, “For Those About to Fight for Metal”, please visit: http://metalblade.com/ensiferum – where the record can be pre-ordered in the following formats:
–Deluxe wooden box (limited to 2500 copies worldwide)
–Limited edition Digibook CD+DVD
–CD
–180g black vinyl
–Turquoise blue-green vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 500 copies)
–Clear sky blue-marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies)
–Blue/orange/yellow-splatter vinyl (Germany exclusive – limited to 200 copies – distributed by Nuclear Blast)
–Golden yellow vinyl (Austria exclusive – limited to 200 copies – distributed by Napalm Records)
–Olive green-marbled vinyl (Finland exclusive – limited to 100 copies – distributed by Levykauppa Äx)
–Clear frost blue-marbled vinyl (China exclusive – limited to 100 copies – distributed by Yamin Records)
–Blue-gray-marbled vinyl (USA exclusive – limited to 250 copies)
–Forest green-marbled vinyl (USA exclusive – limited to 250 copies) –picture disc LP (limited to 500 copies worldwide)*Exclusive bundles with a T-shirt, plus digital options are also available!
To view the vinyl master tape cutting, fans can watch a video by T. Ruotsalainen and A. Kippo at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEuGT1Nfd4
You can’t talk about the true greats of folk-inspired melodic death metal without reverent mention of Ensiferum, and with ‘Two Paths’ they once more affirm their place in the pantheons of the genre. Further building upon the thrilling metallic hybrid honed across six full-lengths, ‘Two Paths’ is simultaneously the Finnish quintet’s most epic and far-reaching collection and their most organic, which definitely sets it apart from the pack. Additionally, the album literally takes the concept of ‘Two Paths’ to heart, with two different versions of standout tracks “Don’t You Say” and “God Is Dead”. “Even though Ensiferum has always had clean vocals and choirs, harsh vocals have been the main style, and those songs worked so well with both styles that we decided to include both versions,” explains bassist/vocalist Sami Hinkka. With Mikko P. Mustonen again handling orchestral arrangements and Lassi Logren returning to play nyckelharpa and violin on a few songs, Hinkka is also more than happy that they brought “more bombastic orchestral and down-to-earth folk aspects” to the record, further fleshing out their vision. This also applies to the contribution of Gyula Havancsak, who provided the artwork for
Both ‘Two Paths’ and its predecessor, ‘One Man Army’. “It was really nice to work with him again because he always wants to hear our ideas and then he adds his own magic and improvements to them, and the result is always astonishing.”
‘Two Paths’ track-listing
1. Ajattomasta Unesta
2. For Those About to Fight for Metal
3. Way of the Warrior
4. Two Paths
5. King of Storms
6. Feast with Valkyries
7. Don’t You Say
8. I Will Never Kneel
9. God Is Dead
10. Hail to the Victor
11. Unettomaan Aikaan
12. God Is Dead (Alternative Version)
13. Don’t You Say (Alternative Version)From September 27th, 2017 onward, Ensiferum will present ‘Two Paths’ live on stage, splitting their European tour into two parts. The first part will be in September with six dates in three countries, and then in April 2018 there will be an extended tour through many more European countries. In between that time, Ensiferum will visit all other continents. See below for all confirmed shows, with more to be announced soon!
Ensiferum tour dates:
Aug. 17 – Summerbreeze festival – Dinkelsbuehl, Germany
Sept. 26 – Bochum, Germany – Zeche
Sept. 27 – Langen, Germany – Stadthalle
Sept. 28 – Arnhem, Netherlands – Luxor Live
Sept. 29 – Berlin, Germany – SO36
Sept. 30 – Osnabruck, Germany – Hyde Park
Oct. 1 – Paris, France – La MachineEnsiferum line-up:
Petri Lindroos – Vocals/Guitar
Markus Toivonen – Guitar/Vocals
Sami Hinkka – Bass/Vocals
Janne Parviainen – Drums
Netta Skog – Digital Accordion/Backing vocalsEnsiferum online:
http://www.facebook.com/Ensiferum
http://www.ensiferum.com
http://www.metalblade.com/ensiferum
It seems that if you were a fan of One Man Army, then you’re in luck! Enisferum is working with the same producer again. Two Paths is going to be the first album since Victory Songs without keyboardist Emmi Silvennoinen. In her place is Netta Skog, providing accordion, who has been performing with the band since 2016.
Two Paths is out on September 15th. You can stream the first single, “For Those About to Fight for Metal,” below.
