The Finns come out with a new album every three years to rally their sword-wielding fans from all over the world. Falling for the sixth time «Ensiferum» now into the fray, this time with the album «One Man Army». A lot has happened in the background of the quintet, so one could assume that musically a lot has changed among the folk metallers. "One Man Army" offers an arsenal of illustrious ideas and melodies typical of the band. The band seems to have grabbed the aggressiveness of the early battles again and doesn't come across as war-weary as the unspeakable predecessor «Unsung Heroes» with its pink cover, which after a few spins gathers dust on my shelf! With "One Man Army" it's not just the cover that's right, the disc is also completely convincing musically!

If you look at the general conditions of the sixth prank, «Ensiferum» much changed. Until recently, the band was still signed to «Spinefarm Records», today «Metal Blade» can count themselves lucky to welcome the Finns in their ranks. While Hiili Hiilesmaa turned the buttons as producer for the predecessor «Unsung Heroes», Anssi Kippo was now responsible for «One Man Army», who by the way did a more than decent job. Even the artwork artist was changed: Where the famous Kristian Wahlin alias Necrolord cultivated a casual, if perspective almost infantile style, one can be extremely satisfied with the result of Gyula Havancsák. The cover is less original, but fitting like a glove, heroic, powerful and also clichéd. So one could have the suspicion that musically a lot has happened with the folk metallers.

One thing right away, all fans can breathe easy and get ready for an hour of great entertainment, because "Ensiferum" are stepping on the gas again and delivering some of the best songs of their career. «One Man Army» is one of the strongest albums by the Finns, who have had a stable line-up since 2009. Fortunately, the quintet has tightened the degree of heaviness again and sound more powerful than ever. The production is also excellent this time, the tracks are powerful, radiate enormous energy and the songwriting is absolutely first class. You know some of the song structures and melodies from previous albums, but the songs seem fresh, self-contained and simply have brilliant refrains that never get too cheesy. An atmospheric intro is followed by a speedy opener, «Axe Of Judgment», «Heathen Horde» enchants with a lovely folky main theme and is just great fun with its choirs and melodic guitars! The previously released single and title track "One Man Army" is also convincing across the board.

Ensiferum - One Man Army (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

"Burden Of The Fallen" represents the resting pole in the further course of the album, before the melodies on "Warrior Without A War" and "Cry For The Earth Bounds" expand again and the heroic epic part is screwed up again significantly. After that, things literally go wild and the folk party really picks up speed. "Two of Spades" (a Motörhead bow?) is the ideal soundtrack, comes along with a lot of speed and with western/disco reminiscences, "Ensiferum" really big cinema pops around our ears. The banjo sounds and «Dschingis Khan» references are simply great and come as no surprise from the Suomis, and the disco-like middle section conjures up a broad grin on the listener's face. "My Ancestor's Blood" forms a skilfully constructed and exciting duo and "Descendants, Defiance, Domination" starts very calmly and is carried by the keyboard, clear guitars and a powerful bass. The song slowly builds up charmingly, clear vocals and metallic screams alternate and «Ensiferum» intelligently mixes all their well-known trademarks. «Neito Pohjolan», on the other hand, has become the almost expected «experimental» track on the album. A country song that takes a detour into (Finnish) tango and is ennobled by the delicate female voice of Netta Skog (ex-Turisas). An unusual and worthy conclusion to the disc, which shows the band's humor.

If you buy the disc, you should make sure to buy at least the double CD, because the bonus tracks on the second CD simply crush everything! With the cover version of the western song by Frankie Laine from 1958, which was also the title song for the western series "Rawhide" (A Thousand Miles of Dust), a song was created that is reminiscent of the best times of the Leningrad Cowboys. «War Metal» then unleashes the warrior again, who uncompromisingly slaughters everything that stands in his way with his sword. «Candour and Lies» is the English version of the aforementioned «Neito Pohjolan», but this time it doesn't feature Netta Skog, but a rough, male voice that gives the song a slightly different facet. With "Bonus Song" we get to hear a full broadside of the band's humor again, with the many censorship "Peeps" the track is a thoroughly successful conclusion to the bonus disc.

Album Review: Ensiferum - One Man Army

The album "One Man Army" convinces with carefully forged weapons and solid martial arts. The album is a real breaker. Anyone who feared after «Unsung Heros» that things would slowly go downhill is wrong! Here it can be said with a clear conscience that there is no total loss to complain about on «One Man Army». The sixth album by "Ensiferum" has become a hit. The Swordtails have recognized their sound and their qualities and can now show off their talent perfectly. Not all of the smaller experiments have worked in recent years, but on «One Man Army» everything just fits together and the album sounds as if it was recorded with a lot of creativity, soul and passion. That's probably one of the biggest compliments you can give a band. For those who like the genre of fantasy folk metal, the first highlight of the year awaits! The Finns have picked up speed again, snappy songs, no slacks, beautiful melodies, speed, pressure, heroic kitsch, all of that characterizes this disc and should therefore fire up the anticipation of upcoming live activities. «Ensiferum» rely several times on heroic sing-along refrains and so the one-man army is joined by several comrades-in-arms, not mercenaries, but a sworn community. «Ensiferum» seems to have regained the aggressiveness of the early battles. See you live in March!

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Track list:
CD 1:

1. March of War
2. Ax Of Judgment
3. Heaten horde
4. One Man Army
5. Burden Of The Fallen
6. Warrior Without A War
7. Cry For The Earth Bounds
8. Two of Spades
9. My Ancestor's Blood
10. Descendants, Defiance, Domination
11. Maiden of the North

CD 2:

1. Rawhide
2. Was metal
3. Candor and Lies
4. Bonus song

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