Ensiferum - Iron
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Free Music Notes for Iron
Free Music Review: Epic Viking Metal as it should be
Hit: 5 Stars
It took me a long, long time to really like this album. Why? Because the debut album was such a masterpiece, and this album was such a departure from that. I don't mean in the style of the music, I mean in the composition of the tracks. On the first album, there was some sort of epic singing in almost every track, and it was those moments that really let you know you were dealing with a band that meant business. This album, however, really tones down the singing in favor of more epic instruments. Iron, the track, is one powerful piece of music, because the keyboards are so prominent and the guitars are so furious, and that combination makes this a force to be reckoned with. Sword Chant is another track that is pounding and furious. Then we get to the two best songs of the album, the stellar Tale of Revenge and Lost in Despair. Both of these songs have great guitar riffs (especially the opening of Tale of Revenge), and feature beautiful clean vocal parts by one of the best clean vocalists ever, Jari Maaenpaa. The rest of the tracks are great, but the one that really stands out to me, in the latter half of the album, is Tears, a beautiful, moving ballad sung by a female who has a voice that truly moves you. Sure, some of the guitar riffs may sound like they were taken from a Metallica album (not because of the riffs themselves, but the tone of the guitars), but that just makes it fun. I'm not a Metallica fan, but I have always liked their tone, and I love it even more here because it's faster than anything Metallica ever put out. Plus, it's nice to see a band not toning down to the lowest they can go because they have to be 'brootal'. I love how Ensiferum do what they do, and don't care who does or doesn't like it. Buy this album. Buy Ensiferum. Buy Dragonheads. Buy Victory Songs. Even buy Jari's band, Wintersun. Buy everything there is to buy labelled Ensiferum or involving Jari Maaenpaa, because, like Tony Kakko from Sonata Arctica, he will never let you down.Free Music Review: Prepare to Charge into Battle!
Hit: 5 Stars
Shortly after the release of Ensiferum's Iron in 2004, Vocalist and Guitarist Jari Mäenpää announced that he planned to leave the band to pursue his own side project, Wintersun. Personally, I was very sad to hear this news, as Jari's vocals are supreme for this genre and his songwriting skills have greatly led this Viking/Folk Metal band among the elite of the Finnish metal bands represented by Spinefarm Records. Jari does leave fans with a remarkable performance and the band introduces the lovely Meiju Enho on keyboards.
The album opens with a emotional acoustic instrumental piece titled Ferrum Aeternum. This transitions right into the electric title track, Iron. The song, Into Battle is by far one of the most epic tracks ever recorded in the `Heroic Folk Metal' genre. The solos by Jari and Markus Toivonin are intense. Lai Lai Lai is a very fun folk song that is in Finnish and English. The album closes with a soft ballad called Tears, courtesy of Kaisa Saari's vocals.
Even though Jari decided to leave the band, Ensiferum is still in very good hands. Their abilities are not in doubt, especially after viewing Ensiferum's live DVD `10th Anniversary Live' with Petri Lindoos on vocals. Jari's amazing growls, supported by Toivonin and Miettinen's clean vocals make for a very pleasurable balance by the band. Meiju's keyboard's add a very epic flare to the music and she is a great addition to this wonderful band. Ensiferum are worthy of much praise for their accomplishments in the genre and Iron was a worthy `Metal Album of the Year' contender for 2004.
Free Music Review: Only As I Look Upon The Raging Battle...
Hit: 5 Stars
One of the best Viking Death Metal albums was Ensiferum's debut. With more than outstanding sound, composure, and musicianship on this release, there is no doubt to claim "Iron" as an even greater art.
"Ferrum Aeternum" is an opening instrumental that sounds somewhat Medieval with keyboards, flutes, and everything...good start. The title track, though, really shows how Ensiferum sounds. Keyboards reign with mostly rough vocals by the Demi-God Jari, but also some clean ones and some choirs; very melodic and with refreshingly powerful energy.
After the short instrumental "Mourning Heart-Interlude", we get some sort of half ballad with "Tale Of Revenge". Very moody and melodic, but also with some harsh vocals that go hand in hand with Jari's excellent clean voice. "Lai Lai Hei", which starts out acoustically, continues the slow melody with some electric guitars. The vocals come in Finnish and English, and then they shift up a powerful gear, still with clean vocals and also the choir (energetic, dynamic, epic, distinct chorus), which probably makes this the best track on Iron.
Another stellar release by the Finnish five piece (with the addition of the keyboardist). The freshness and sheer power has been reduced a bit, but the Folk elements stay intact, maybe for an almost logical consequence. Ensiferum still retain their sound without ditching their heritage, which is good news. Considering this was Jari's last album with Ensiferum, we should realize the heart he put into this before leaving. His battles with Ensiferum will never be forgotten.
Free Music Review: Colossal Album
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is seriously an alluring beautiful work, so much so that I was tempted in acquiring the only two copies my local music store had. As weird as this act might seem, I felt as though I had hit the proverbial jackpot with a little blind stab in the dark with this one. Heck how many times do you come across great things by pure coincidence? Not a lot! but I can personally say I've been blessed with a few (Venom's 3CD Box Set - only 1000 were made! - and Agathodaimon`s early works) But with that aside, this album is a memorable piece of work that will never cease to satisfy me. It's cleverly balanced in tempo and atmosphere to the point of making one lust for more.
Upon picking up in rhythm it also delivers a robust punch in both, harmonics and vocals. The icing on the cake however is the last track (in my case and being a digipack) is a Metallica cover of Battery. Very impressive!
Try checking out their official site, for further info on the band and whatnot.
Free Music Review: Amazing Stuff!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is some very high grade metal...viking/folk tinged songs with great melodies and fantastic riffage. Harsh vocals that don't sound cheesy or over-the-top at all...fit the music perfectly...along with some very nice clean vocals. The musicianship is top-notch...hopefully these guys get more exposure because they definitely deserve it!
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