Ensiferum - Ensiferum

Advantages: Fast, technical, melodic
Disadvantages: None

...Ensiferum keep managing to produce stunning albums. This is a perfect of blend of power, death, and folk metal. It really is a stunning piece of work.The only way to even come close to doing this album justice is to go through each track. The first track, and instrumental, really is an epic. It gets you in the mood for what's to come and displays their musical prowess. The second track, "Blood is the price of glory", is a perfect example of what makes this band so listenable. The energetic intro will blow you away. A terrifying growl with a stunning melody kick off what is a trademark Ensiferum track. They manage to get even better with the next track, "Deathbringer from the sky". This is an up-tempo, power metal-esque track with the catchiest metal chorus known to man. You can't help sing along and raise your first in the air... Read review

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Advantages: Tremendous, consistent songs
Disadvantages: It can all get a bit cheesy at times

...I bought 'Battle Metal', the debut album of Finnish metallers Turisas, after hearing a demo of theirs. The demo was very good, featuring a cover of 'Those Were The Days', which should be heard by anyone who has yet to do so. Turisas have a very specific brand of metal which does not appeal to everyone. The album title pretty much says it all; 'Battle Metal'. The genre that Turisas play, viking metal, is reworked by other artists - virtually all Scandinavian, and also classed as folk metal by some, although this is a bit different. You can find similar artists, though I must add not the same, such as Moonsorrow, Ensiferum and Thyrfing. All those are highly commended by me. Battle Metal took seven years in the making, which is possible a bit excessive for any band, although some have certainly taken longer. But the result is simply... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent musicianship, different song styles, massive solos
Disadvantages: Couple of songs less good than others.

...like Children of Bodom, Ensiferum and Finntroll, but with something extra that will just blow you away. Wintersun's main man, Jari Mäenpää is a multi-instrumentalist of absolutely stunning quality - on this release he did all of the vocals, keyboard programming, bass work and guitar work, needing help only from a quality drummer named Kai Hahto, who is also in Rotten Sound. Wintersun came about as Jari's solo project while he was playing in another Finnish band named Ensiferum, and he soon quit Ensiferum to go all the way with Wintersun. The music on this album is a very mixed affair, with Neo-Classical influences, Finnish folk influences, and slow songs mixing it up with lightning fast guitar solos, blastbeats and some fantastic screaming. You never know what you'll get, from song to song, start to finish of this album. The songs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful