Ensiferum - Unsung Heroes

Genre: Viking/Folk Metal
Country: Finland
Label: Spinefarm Records
Year: 2012

Track List:
1. Symbols
2. In My Sword I Trust
3. Unsung Heroes
4. Burning Leaves
5. Celestial Bond
6. Retribution Shall Be Mine
7. Star Queen (Celestial Bond Pt. II)
8. Pohjloa
9. Last Breath
10. Passion, Proof, Power

Review:
Ensiferum's most recent effort, Unsung Heroes is again nothing short of beautiful, epic and different. I have been listening to Ensiferum since day one and have enjoyed every one of their albums. With Unsung Heroes being their fifth studio album I had pretty high expectations for it and in all honesty it did not impress me like their previous efforts, at first that is. At first listen the first thing I noticed was the lack of drums in the mix. This is fast, loud barbaric metal for goodness sake! Turn up the drums! Know what I mean?! After that brief coffee fueled thought, I was immediately taken away to that old familiar place this wonderful band takes all of its listeners. With the lyrics and music themed after Finnish legend and fantasy, battles and folklore it is easy to be taken away to a different more beautiful world. 

Unsung Heroes kicks off with the song Symbols, a beautiful musical arrangement giving you a preview of the depth of the musical journey to come. It immediately flows into the powerful sing-a-long epic, In My Sword I Trust. I find this particular song very reminiscent of material off of their first album. Now, I'm not going to go into detail about every song on the album, I personally can't stand that. I will though point out a few of my favorites on the album. The song, Celestial Bond, is quiet, innocent and beautiful. A very nice touch to the middle of the album. Then there is the song, Retribution Shall Be Mine. This song is fast and very speed metal like with a wonderful sweeping chorus with choirs and strings. Then comes my personal favorite on the album, Pohjloa. Words can not even begin to describe how beautiful and epic the chorus is in this song. Well, maybe one word, perfect!

Unsung Heroes may not be Ensiferum's most powerful album to date but it is still Ensiferum we are talking about here. Full of beautiful music and lyrics it is sure to please any folk metal fan. The true kings of viking/folk metal reign on!

4/5

-A

Give It a Listen!