Ensiferum
Encyclopedia
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal
band from Helsinki
. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.
. The band also include fairly frequent use of acoustic guitars, usually at the beginnings of songs. The lyrical themes of their music most often relate to fantastical, archaic, or historic stories that can most often be grouped in with the pagan metal concept, usually with heroic sentiment.
(guitar
), Sauli Savolainen (bass
) and Kimmo Miettinen (drum
s). For the band's name, they took the Latin
neuter gender adjective ensiferum, which means "sword bearer". In the next year, Jari Mäenpää
was taken into the band as singer and second guitar-player. In 1997, the first demo was released, containing three songs.
In 1998, Sauli and Kimmo left the band and were replaced by Jukka-Pekka Miettinen (Kimmo's little brother, then 14 years old) and Oliver Fokin. In January 1999, a second demo was recorded, which although it did not produce a recording deal, boosted the band's confidence. In November 1999 a third demo, "Hero in a Dream", was recorded, which was successful in obtaining a record deal with Spinefarm Records
. The logo that appears on all the bands releases was designed for the third demo by Tuomas Tahvanainen, who also designed the logos for the earlier demos. In 2000, the band went into the studio to work on their first album, Ensiferum
, which was released in August 2001. In the same year, Meiju Enho joined them as a keyboard
-player.
, Jari had left the band due to conflicts between scheduled studio work on his side project Wintersun
and touring with Ensiferum. For the tour with Finntroll
, Petri Lindroos from Norther
replaced Jari on guitar and as singer, and became a member of the band after the tour. In December 2004, Jukka-Pekka left the band and was replaced by Sami Hinkka (Rapture
). Oliver also left in 2005 to be replaced by Janne Parviainen.
The new Ensiferum line-up entered the studio later that year to record an EP
to be called Dragonheads
, which was released in February 2006. As well as the title track, it also contained two reworked demo songs; an Amorphis
cover and a short rendition of the Kalevala
melody, as well as a medley of three traditional Finnish
songs.
In June 2006, Ensiferum released their live DVD
, 10th Anniversary Live
, which was recorded in Nosturi
, Helsinki
, on December 31, 2005.
, took place between November 2006 and early 2007, and was released on April 20, 2007. A single titled "One More Magic Potion
" (after the track of the same name) was released on February 7. Following the album release, the band released through the producer's MySpace
page, a music video for the song "Ahti," which included all band members featured as extras. The video was released after the album release due to video filming problems.
On September 10, 2007, it was announced that keyboardist Meiju Enho
would leave the band. This was posted in a bulletin on their MySpace page and later confirmed on their website http://www.ensiferum.com/e_html/e_news.htm. The band used Emmi Silvennoinen
of Exsecratus as a touring fill-in. She later became a permanent member of the band during the recording of the From Afar album.
Ensiferum headlined the Paganfest tour in Europe and North America in 2008. Others playing the tour included Týr
and Eluveitie
, with Moonsorrow
and Korpiklaani
also joining them on the European part of the tour, and Turisas
in North America. They also supported Megadeth
on the opening night of their United Abominations – Tour of Duty
European tour. Ensiferum also supported Amon Amarth
on their North American Twilight of the Thunder God
tour.
Shortly before their Russian tour in 2008, vocalist/guitarist Petri Lindroos fell "seriously ill" and was unable to participate. The band hired ex-bassist Juha-Pekka Miettinen to assume Lindroos' guitar duties, while bassist Sami Hinkka took over his lead vocal duties for the tour.
In the first half of 2009, Ensiferum performed at a string of festivals including Frostrock in Belgium
, Finnish Metal Expo
and Tuska Open Air in Finland
, Winterfire, Rocktower, Legacy and Rock am Härtsfeldsee in Germany
, Summer Nights in Austria
, and Z7 Metal Dayz in Switzerland
. In June and July they toured North America as part of the Summer Slaughter Tour with Necrophagist
, Darkest Hour, Suffocation
, Blackguard, Dying Fetus
, Beneath the Massacre
, Origin
, and Winds of Plague
. In August they will perform at the Global East festival in Ukraine
, Ankkarock
and Jurassic Rock in Finland
, and Let's Open Air in Turkey
.
, From Afar
, on September 9, 2009 on Spinefarm Records
. The album was produced by Nightwish
producer Tero Kinnunen and Victory Songs
producer Janne Joutsenniemi, and it was mixed by producer Hiili Hiilesmaa
. The limited edition of the album includes a cover of Swedish
folk rock
group Nordman
. Following the release, the group will embark on a European tour with Estonia
n folk metal
band Metsatöll
and Finnish
melodic death metal
band Tracedawn. In October they will also perform at Hellflame Festival – The South Side of Hell and Devil's Revenge festival in Germany
, and Tattoo the Mind in France
. Ensiferum performed on the second day of the inaugural Screamfest Festival in Sydney, Australia, on New Years Day 2010. In November/December they toured North America with Ex Deo (on selected dates), and Blackguard.
Ensiferum have also been confirmed to play Bloodstock Open Air
at Catton Hall, United Kingdom in 2010. In October 2010, Ensiferum embarked on their first ever South African tour. This tour consisted of four shows in two cities, and they were accompanied by numerous local metal bands including Riddare av Koden
and All Forlorn. The final show, at The Black Dahlia in Johannesburg was filmed to potentially appear on their next live DVD. In early 2011 Ensiferum will embark on The Ugly World Tour 2011
with labelmates Children of Bodom
, Amon Amarth
, Machinae Supremacy
supporting them for segments of their tour in the U.S and Canada. The tour will take place within a 4 month period of time and span 23 countries.
According to a statement on Hinkka's official Facebook page, the band plans to enter the studio in early 2012 to record their next album.
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
band from Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.
Musical characteristics
Metal and folk melodies are played on lead guitar or keyboard, overlaying heavier heavy metal backing rhythms such as the classic gallopGallop (drumming)
A gallop is a drum beat typically used in metal songs, mostly using a double kick pedal .The gallop is usually formed around this skeleton: H- x---x---x---x---| S- ----o-------o---| B- o-ooo-ooo-ooo-oo|...
. The band also include fairly frequent use of acoustic guitars, usually at the beginnings of songs. The lyrical themes of their music most often relate to fantastical, archaic, or historic stories that can most often be grouped in with the pagan metal concept, usually with heroic sentiment.
Formation, demos and Ensiferum (1992−2002)
Ensiferum was founded in 1995 by Markus ToivonenMarkus Toivonen
Markus Toivonen is the founding member of the Finnish Viking/folk metal band Ensiferum. Markus founded the band in 1995 and is the sole original member to have lasted the distance to Ensiferum's present incarnation. His role in the band is guitarist and primary songwriter...
(guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Sauli Savolainen (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) and Kimmo Miettinen (drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s). For the band's name, they took the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
neuter gender adjective ensiferum, which means "sword bearer". In the next year, Jari Mäenpää
Jari Mäenpää
Jari Mäenpää is the founder of the band Wintersun in which he performs vocals, plays guitar and keyboards. He also played bass on Wintersun's first album before hiring a full-time line-up....
was taken into the band as singer and second guitar-player. In 1997, the first demo was released, containing three songs.
In 1998, Sauli and Kimmo left the band and were replaced by Jukka-Pekka Miettinen (Kimmo's little brother, then 14 years old) and Oliver Fokin. In January 1999, a second demo was recorded, which although it did not produce a recording deal, boosted the band's confidence. In November 1999 a third demo, "Hero in a Dream", was recorded, which was successful in obtaining a record deal with Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...
. The logo that appears on all the bands releases was designed for the third demo by Tuomas Tahvanainen, who also designed the logos for the earlier demos. In 2000, the band went into the studio to work on their first album, Ensiferum
Ensiferum (album)
Ensiferum is the first album by the Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum. It was released on January 7, 2001 on Spinefarm Records.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:50# "Hero in a Dream" – 3:40...
, which was released in August 2001. In the same year, Meiju Enho joined them as a keyboard
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
-player.
Iron, Line-up changes, Dragonheads and 10th Anniversary Live (2003−2006)
In 2003, after the work was completed on the second album, IronIron (Ensiferum)
-Band members:* Jari Mäenpää − guitars, vocals* Markus Toivonen − guitars* Meiju Enho − keyboards* Jukka-Pekka Miettinen − bass* Oliver Fokin − drums, percussion-Session musicians:* Vesa Vigman − bouzouki, mandolin, saz, and dulcimer....
, Jari had left the band due to conflicts between scheduled studio work on his side project Wintersun
Wintersun
Wintersun is an extreme metal band from Helsinki, Finland.Wintersun was originally created by guitarist Jari Mäenpää as a side project to folk metal band Ensiferum, for whom he was lead singer and guitarist. In 2003, Mäenpää began culling together songs that he'd been working on since 1995. These...
and touring with Ensiferum. For the tour with Finntroll
Finntroll
Finntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They combine elements of black metal and folk metal. Finntroll's lyrics are mostly in Swedish, the only exception being the song "Madon Laulu" on Visor Om Slutet...
, Petri Lindroos from Norther
Norther
Norther is a Finnish Melodic Death Metal band from Helsinki, Finland.-History:Norther was originally formed by Kristian Ranta, Jukka Koskinen, Tuomas Planman, Petri Lindroos and Toni Hallio in the year 1996 after various of early stage band formations. The band kicked into gear with its debut...
replaced Jari on guitar and as singer, and became a member of the band after the tour. In December 2004, Jukka-Pekka left the band and was replaced by Sami Hinkka (Rapture
Rapture (band)
Rapture is a doom metal/melodic death metal band formed in 1997 in Helsinki, Finland.-History:In 1999, Rapture signed a contract with Spinefarm Records and released their debut album, Futile, in late 1999. The album was also licensed to Relapse Records for distribution outside of Finland. In early...
). Oliver also left in 2005 to be replaced by Janne Parviainen.
The new Ensiferum line-up entered the studio later that year to record an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
to be called Dragonheads
Dragonheads
-Line-up:* Petri Lindroos - Harsh Vocals, Guitar* Markus Toivonen - Guitar, Clean & Backing Vocals, Percussion* Meiju Enho - Keyboard* Sami Hinkka - Bass, Clean & Backing Vocals* Janne Parviainen - Drums-Session musicians:...
, which was released in February 2006. As well as the title track, it also contained two reworked demo songs; an Amorphis
Amorphis
Amorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band started by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other types of genres, which include heavy metal, progressive metal, and folk metal...
cover and a short rendition of the Kalevala
Kalevala
The Kalevala is a 19th century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology.It is regarded as the national epic of Finland and is one of the most significant works of Finnish literature...
melody, as well as a medley of three traditional Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
songs.
In June 2006, Ensiferum released their live DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, 10th Anniversary Live
10th Anniversary Live
10th Anniversary Live is a live performance DVD celebrating the 10th anniversary of the viking/folk metal band Ensiferum. It was filmed on New Year's Eve, 2005 at the music hall Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland.- Track listing :#"Intro" − 1:56...
, which was recorded in Nosturi
Nosturi
Nosturi is a culture and music hall and a nightclub in the Punavuori district of Helsinki, Finland. It is owned by the Association of Live Music ....
, Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, on December 31, 2005.
Victory Songs and Meiju's departure (2006−2009)
The recording of the third studio album, called Victory SongsVictory Songs
Victory Songs is the third full-length album by the Finnish viking / folk metal band Ensiferum. It was released on April 20, 2007 by Spinefarm...
, took place between November 2006 and early 2007, and was released on April 20, 2007. A single titled "One More Magic Potion
One More Magic Potion
"One More Magic Potion" is the second single of the viking / folk metal band Ensiferum. The song comes from their third album, Victory Songs. It was released on February 7, 2007 by Spinefarm.-Track listing:# "One More Magic Potion"...
" (after the track of the same name) was released on February 7. Following the album release, the band released through the producer's MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page, a music video for the song "Ahti," which included all band members featured as extras. The video was released after the album release due to video filming problems.
On September 10, 2007, it was announced that keyboardist Meiju Enho
Meiju Enho
Meiju Enho, born in 1981 in Finland, is the former keyboard player of the Finnish Viking/folk metal band Ensiferum. Meiju joined the band in 2001 following the release of their debut album Ensiferum and played on all subsequent releases until her departure in 2007.Meiju has also performed as a...
would leave the band. This was posted in a bulletin on their MySpace page and later confirmed on their website http://www.ensiferum.com/e_html/e_news.htm. The band used Emmi Silvennoinen
Emmi Silvennoinen
Emmi Silvennoinen, born in Finland in 1988, is keyboardist for the folk metal band Ensiferum. She has been filling the role on a so-far temporary basis following the departure of Meiju Enho from Ensiferum in September 2007 before joining it as the current member during the recording of the album...
of Exsecratus as a touring fill-in. She later became a permanent member of the band during the recording of the From Afar album.
Ensiferum headlined the Paganfest tour in Europe and North America in 2008. Others playing the tour included Týr
Týr (band)
Týr, , is a folk metal band from the Faroe Islands. Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around old Nordic lore, mythology, and history, taking their name from a Norse god of war. They signed a worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records in early 2006, while signed to the Faroese record...
and Eluveitie
Eluveitie
Eluveitie is a folk metal band from Winterthur, Switzerland. The band formed in 2002 and their first EP, Vên came out in 2003. The band then released a full-length album, Spirit in June 2006. In November 2007, Eluveitie was signed by Nuclear Blast....
, with Moonsorrow
Moonsorrow
Moonsorrow is a pagan metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound...
and Korpiklaani
Korpiklaani
Korpiklaani is a folk metal band from Finland who were formerly known as Shaman.-Biography:While other folk metal bands began with metal before adding folk music, Korpiklaani started with folk music before turning metal...
also joining them on the European part of the tour, and Turisas
Turisas
Turisas is a Finnish folk metal band from Hämeenlinna. It was founded in 1997 by Mathias Nygård and Jussi Wickström and named after an ancient Finnish God of war....
in North America. They also supported Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
on the opening night of their United Abominations – Tour of Duty
United Abominations
United Abominations is the eleventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on May 8, 2007, United Abominations is the first Megadeth release distributed through Roadrunner Records, and was recorded with an all new lineup excluding the band's singer, guitarist, songwriter,...
European tour. Ensiferum also supported Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth is a Swedish viking metal band from Tumba, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin translation of Mount Doom, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström...
on their North American Twilight of the Thunder God
Twilight of the Thunder God
Twilight of the Thunder God is the seventh studio album by the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. Twilight of the Thunder God was released in September 2008.-Pre-release and production:...
tour.
Shortly before their Russian tour in 2008, vocalist/guitarist Petri Lindroos fell "seriously ill" and was unable to participate. The band hired ex-bassist Juha-Pekka Miettinen to assume Lindroos' guitar duties, while bassist Sami Hinkka took over his lead vocal duties for the tour.
In the first half of 2009, Ensiferum performed at a string of festivals including Frostrock in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Finnish Metal Expo
Finnish Metal Expo
Finnish Metal Expo is a heavy metal fair and festival held annually at Kaapelitehdas in Ruoholahti, Helsinki, Finland since 2005. The Finnish Metal Awards, different kind of clinics, interview sessions, signing sessions and competitions are also part of the happening.-2009...
and Tuska Open Air in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Winterfire, Rocktower, Legacy and Rock am Härtsfeldsee in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Summer Nights in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, and Z7 Metal Dayz in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. In June and July they toured North America as part of the Summer Slaughter Tour with Necrophagist
Necrophagist
Necrophagist is a German death metal band, founded and fronted by Muhammed Suiçmez; a German-born, Turkish guitarist and vocalist. The band is known for its rapid and technical compositions....
, Darkest Hour, Suffocation
Suffocation (band)
Suffocation is an American death metal band that was formed in 1989 in Long Island, New York. The band comprises vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarists Terrance Hobbs and Guy Marchais, drummer Mike Smith and bassist Derek Boyer. Suffocation rose to prominence of death metal and created a blueprint for...
, Blackguard, Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus is an American death metal band from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their outspoken political views, and for being one of the few death metal bands who follow a political nature. Earlier lyrics showcased the common death metal trait of explicit violence...
, Beneath the Massacre
Beneath the Massacre
Beneath the Massacre is a Canadian death metal band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Their debut album, Evidence of Inequity, was released in 2005, under Galy Records. In early 2006, the band signed with Prosthetic Records and has since released their first full-length album, Mechanics of...
, Origin
Origin (band)
Origin is an American death metal band from Topeka, Kansas, founded in 1998. They have been recognized by music critics and metal fans alike for combining a harsh sound with a high level of technical skill....
, and Winds of Plague
Winds of Plague
Winds of Plague is an American deathcore band from Upland, California, formed in 2002. They are best known as one of the only deathcore bands to incorporate symphonic elements into their music....
. In August they will perform at the Global East festival in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, Ankkarock
Ankkarock
Ankkarock is a Finnish rock and metal festival held annually in Korso, Vantaa, in the Greater Helsinki area. It literally translates into Duckrock. The first Ankkarock was held in 1989; the festival was free of charge until 1998....
and Jurassic Rock in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, and Let's Open Air in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
From Afar (2009 onwards)
Ensiferum released their fourth studio albumStudio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, From Afar
From Afar
-Track listing:-Charts:-Band members:*Petri Lindroos – harsh vocals, guitars*Markus Toivonen – guitars, clean and backing vocals*Sami Hinkka – bass, clean and backing vocals*Janne Parviainen – drums*Emmi Silvennoinen – keyboards, backing vocals...
, on September 9, 2009 on Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...
. The album was produced by Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
producer Tero Kinnunen and Victory Songs
Victory Songs
Victory Songs is the third full-length album by the Finnish viking / folk metal band Ensiferum. It was released on April 20, 2007 by Spinefarm...
producer Janne Joutsenniemi, and it was mixed by producer Hiili Hiilesmaa
Hiili Hiilesmaa
Kai "Hiili" Hiilesmaa is the vocalist of the rock band The Skreppers, drummer of doom metal band KYPCK, was the keyboardist of hard rock/sleaze/blues band Daniel Lioneye, as well as a respected producer from Finland...
. The limited edition of the album includes a cover of Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
group Nordman
Nordman
Nordman is a Swedish group founded in 1993, that mixes folk music with rock and pop. This genre is called etnorock or folk rock in Swedish. The group consists of Håkan Hemlin, as singer and frontman and Mats Wester, who plays the nyckelharpa as well as serving as the main songwriter..The group's...
. Following the release, the group will embark on a European tour with Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n folk metal
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
band Metsatöll
Metsatöll
Metsatöll is an Estonian folk metal band.The name "Metsatöll" is an ancient Estonian euphemism for wolf, which is reflected in the harshness of their lyrics...
and Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
melodic death metal
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
band Tracedawn. In October they will also perform at Hellflame Festival – The South Side of Hell and Devil's Revenge festival in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and Tattoo the Mind in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Ensiferum performed on the second day of the inaugural Screamfest Festival in Sydney, Australia, on New Years Day 2010. In November/December they toured North America with Ex Deo (on selected dates), and Blackguard.
Ensiferum have also been confirmed to play Bloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air is a heavy metal festival held annually at Catton Hall in Walton-upon-Trent, England, since 2005. Previous line-ups have included bands such as Opeth , Children of Bodom , Nightwish , Cradle of Filth , Testament , Arch Enemy , Europe and Twisted Sister .Originally on one stage...
at Catton Hall, United Kingdom in 2010. In October 2010, Ensiferum embarked on their first ever South African tour. This tour consisted of four shows in two cities, and they were accompanied by numerous local metal bands including Riddare av Koden
Riddare av Koden
Riddare av Koden is a South African melodic death metal band from Secunda, formed in October 2006 by brothers Nathan and Daniel Wilson. Formerly known as Elegy, the band had to change its name in November 2009 due to breach of copyright law and were threatened with legal action if the name was not...
and All Forlorn. The final show, at The Black Dahlia in Johannesburg was filmed to potentially appear on their next live DVD. In early 2011 Ensiferum will embark on The Ugly World Tour 2011
The Ugly World Tour 2011
The Ugly World Tour 2011 is a concert tour by Children of Bodom in support of their seventh studio album, Relentless Reckless Forever. The name of the tour comes from a song from the new album called Ugly.-Europe leg:...
with labelmates Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
, Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth is a Swedish viking metal band from Tumba, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin translation of Mount Doom, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström...
, Machinae Supremacy
Machinae Supremacy
Machinae Supremacy is a Swedish band that combines modern heavy metal and alternative rock with chiptunes. Self-defined as "SID metal", many of their songs use a SidStation that features the SID chip of the Commodore 64...
supporting them for segments of their tour in the U.S and Canada. The tour will take place within a 4 month period of time and span 23 countries.
According to a statement on Hinkka's official Facebook page, the band plans to enter the studio in early 2012 to record their next album.
Current line-up
- Petri LindroosPetri LindroosPetri Lindroos is a heavy metal guitarist and vocalist. He is currently the lead vocalist in Ensiferum and, prior to this, was a founder and lead vocalist for Norther.-Biography:...
– harsh vocals, guitars (ex-NortherNortherNorther is a Finnish Melodic Death Metal band from Helsinki, Finland.-History:Norther was originally formed by Kristian Ranta, Jukka Koskinen, Tuomas Planman, Petri Lindroos and Toni Hallio in the year 1996 after various of early stage band formations. The band kicked into gear with its debut...
) (2004–present) - Markus ToivonenMarkus ToivonenMarkus Toivonen is the founding member of the Finnish Viking/folk metal band Ensiferum. Markus founded the band in 1995 and is the sole original member to have lasted the distance to Ensiferum's present incarnation. His role in the band is guitarist and primary songwriter...
– guitars, clean & backing vocals (1995–present) - Sami HinkkaSami HinkkaSami Hinkka, born 1978 in Finland, is a heavy metal bass player, presently with Ensiferum. He joined his current band in 2004 as a replacement for Jukka-Pekka Miettinen after playing for some years in the melodic death/doom metal band Rapture...
– bass, clean & backing vocals (2004–present) - Janne ParviainenJanne ParviainenJanne Parviainen, born 1973 in Finland, is a heavy metal drummer, who plays in the bands Sinergy, Barathrum and Ensiferum. He is a former member of Waltari and Zwanziger.Janne joined Barathrum in 2000, and Sinergy and Ensiferum more recently...
– drums (2005–present) - Emmi SilvennoinenEmmi SilvennoinenEmmi Silvennoinen, born in Finland in 1988, is keyboardist for the folk metal band Ensiferum. She has been filling the role on a so-far temporary basis following the departure of Meiju Enho from Ensiferum in September 2007 before joining it as the current member during the recording of the album...
– keyboards, clean & backing vocals (2007–present)
Former members
- Kimmo Miettinen – drums (ex-ArthemesiaArthemesiaArthemesia was a Finnish black metal/melodic black metal band active between 1994 and 2010. The band derives their name from Artemisia absinthium, Latin for wormwood, thought to have many spiritual qualities...
, CadacrossCadacrossCadacross was a Finnish heavy metal band formed in 1997. They went through a major line-up change after their debut album So Pale Is the Light. Georg Laakso, guitarist and vocalist, was the only remaining member from the previous lineup...
) (1995–1998) - Jukka-Pekka Miettinen – bass (ex-ArthemesiaArthemesiaArthemesia was a Finnish black metal/melodic black metal band active between 1994 and 2010. The band derives their name from Artemisia absinthium, Latin for wormwood, thought to have many spiritual qualities...
, CadacrossCadacrossCadacross was a Finnish heavy metal band formed in 1997. They went through a major line-up change after their debut album So Pale Is the Light. Georg Laakso, guitarist and vocalist, was the only remaining member from the previous lineup...
) (1998–2004) - Sauli Savolainen – bass (1995–1998)
- Jari MäenpääJari MäenpääJari Mäenpää is the founder of the band Wintersun in which he performs vocals, plays guitar and keyboards. He also played bass on Wintersun's first album before hiring a full-time line-up....
– vocals, guitars (ex-Arthemesia, WintersunWintersunWintersun is an extreme metal band from Helsinki, Finland.Wintersun was originally created by guitarist Jari Mäenpää as a side project to folk metal band Ensiferum, for whom he was lead singer and guitarist. In 2003, Mäenpää began culling together songs that he'd been working on since 1995. These...
) (1996–2004) - Oliver Fokin – drums (ex-Arthemesia) (1998–2005)
- Meiju EnhoMeiju EnhoMeiju Enho, born in 1981 in Finland, is the former keyboard player of the Finnish Viking/folk metal band Ensiferum. Meiju joined the band in 2001 following the release of their debut album Ensiferum and played on all subsequent releases until her departure in 2007.Meiju has also performed as a...
– keyboards (2001–2007)
Session members
- Emmi SilvennoinenEmmi SilvennoinenEmmi Silvennoinen, born in Finland in 1988, is keyboardist for the folk metal band Ensiferum. She has been filling the role on a so-far temporary basis following the departure of Meiju Enho from Ensiferum in September 2007 before joining it as the current member during the recording of the album...
– keyboards, backing vocals (2007–2009) - Henri "Trollhorn" SorvaliHenri SorvaliHenri "Trollhorn" Sorvali, born October 19, 1978, in Finland, is the guitarist and keyboardist of the pagan metal band Moonsorrow, and keyboardist for Finntroll, and also plays for The Wicked....
– session keyboards on Ensiferum (FinntrollFinntrollFinntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They combine elements of black metal and folk metal. Finntroll's lyrics are mostly in Swedish, the only exception being the song "Madon Laulu" on Visor Om Slutet...
, MoonsorrowMoonsorrowMoonsorrow is a pagan metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound...
, ex-KorpiklaaniKorpiklaaniKorpiklaani is a folk metal band from Finland who were formerly known as Shaman.-Biography:While other folk metal bands began with metal before adding folk music, Korpiklaani started with folk music before turning metal...
) - Aleksi Parviainen - additional lead and backing vocals (2010-)
- Jukka-Pekka Miettinen - guitar (Russia tour 2008), additional backing vocals (2010-)
Albums
1990 - Dalian Demos- 20012001 in musicSee also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
: EnsiferumEnsiferum (album)Ensiferum is the first album by the Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum. It was released on January 7, 2001 on Spinefarm Records.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:50# "Hero in a Dream" – 3:40... - 20042004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
: Iron - 20052005 in music-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
: 1997–1999 (limited edition re-release of first three demos) - 20072007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
: Victory SongsVictory SongsVictory Songs is the third full-length album by the Finnish viking / folk metal band Ensiferum. It was released on April 20, 2007 by Spinefarm... - 20092009 in musicThe following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year...
: From AfarFrom Afar-Track listing:-Charts:-Band members:*Petri Lindroos – harsh vocals, guitars*Markus Toivonen – guitars, clean and backing vocals*Sami Hinkka – bass, clean and backing vocals*Janne Parviainen – drums*Emmi Silvennoinen – keyboards, backing vocals...
Demos
- Demo (1997)
- "Frost"
- "Old Man (Väinämöinen)"
- "Knighthood"
- Demo II (1999)
- "Dreamer's Prelude"
- "Little Dreamer (Väinämöinen part II)"
- "Warrior's Quest"
- "White Storm"
- Hero in a Dream (1999)
- "Intro"
- "Hero in a Dream"
- "Eternal Wait"
- "Battle Song"
- "Guardians of Fate"
Recorded cover songs
- "Into Hiding" (by AmorphisAmorphisAmorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band started by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other types of genres, which include heavy metal, progressive metal, and folk metal...
from Tales from the Thousand LakesTales from the Thousand Lakes-Bonus tracks:Tracks 11-13 added from the Black Winter Day EP:-Band members:* Tomi Koivusaari – vocals, rhythm guitar* Esa Holopainen – lead guitar* Olli-Pekka Laine – bass guitar* Jan Rechberger – drums* Kasper Mårtenson – keyboards...
) − Found on Dragonheads, 10th Anniversary Live as a live version and Victory Songs Special Edition - "BatteryBattery (song)"Battery" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It is the opening track and was released as the second single from their third album, Master of Puppets.-Structure:...
" (by MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
from Master of PuppetsMaster of Puppets-Personnel:Metallica* James Hetfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar on track 1, first solo on tracks 2 and 7* Cliff Burton – bass, backing vocals* Lars Ulrich – drums* Kirk Hammett – lead guitarProduction...
) − Found on "Tale of Revenge" single and Iron digipak - "Lady in Black" (by Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
from SalisburySalisbury (album)Salisbury is the second album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.Although the majority of tracks are clean hard rock, more so than on the previous Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble, the album features forays into both jazz-fusion on "The Park", and square progressive rock on the band's first foray into...
) − Found on "One More Magic Potion" single and Victory Songs digipak and Japanese version - "Breaking the Law" (by Judas PriestJudas PriestJudas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
from British SteelBritish Steel (album)British Steel is the sixth album by the British heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on 14 April 1980. It saw the band reprise the commercial sound they had established on Killing Machine however; this time, they abandoned many of the dark lyrical themes which had been prominent on their...
) − Found on the digipak version of their eponymous album. Song was covered again in 2010 and released as a bonus track of "Stone Cold Metal" digital single. - "Vandraren" (by NordmanNordmanNordman is a Swedish group founded in 1993, that mixes folk music with rock and pop. This genre is called etnorock or folk rock in Swedish. The group consists of Håkan Hemlin, as singer and frontman and Mats Wester, who plays the nyckelharpa as well as serving as the main songwriter..The group's...
) – Found on the limited edition version of From AfarFrom Afar-Track listing:-Charts:-Band members:*Petri Lindroos – harsh vocals, guitars*Markus Toivonen – guitars, clean and backing vocals*Sami Hinkka – bass, clean and backing vocals*Janne Parviainen – drums*Emmi Silvennoinen – keyboards, backing vocals...
Covers only played live
- "Battle HymnBattle HymnBattle Hymn may refer to:* Battle Hymn , directed by Douglas Sirk* Battle Hymn , by B. Clay Moore and Jeremy Haun* "Battle Hymn" , from Manowar's album Battle Hymns...
" (by Manowar) - "Enter SandmanEnter Sandman"Enter Sandman" is a 1991 song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the first single from their eponymous fifth album, Metallica. The music was written by Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich...
" (by MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
) - "Fight Fire with Fire" (by Metallica)
- "Näitä polkuja tallaan" (by Matti ja Teppo)
- "Olen suomalainen" (by Kari TapioKari TapioKari Tapani Jalkanen , better known by his stage name Kari Tapio, was a Finnish schlager and country & western singer. He was one of the most popular singers in Finland for decades, selling over 826,000 certified records during his career and posthumously.Tapio was born in Suonenjoki, Finland...
) - "Run to the HillsRun to the Hills"Run to the Hills" was Iron Maiden's sixth single and the first single from their 1982 album The Number of the Beast. The lyrics clearly discuss the violence visited upon Native Americans in the Nineteenth Century. Several lines appear to address the Sioux Wars, a conflict between the Lakota...
" (by Iron MaidenIron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
) - "The TrooperThe Trooper"The Trooper" is a song written by Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris. It is Iron Maiden's ninth single, and the second from their 1983 album Piece of Mind. The single was released on 20 June 1983...
" (by Iron MaidenIron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
)
External links
- Ensiferum Official website
- Ensiferum at Spinefarm RecordsSpinefarm RecordsSpinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...