Ensiferum

Originating in Finland during 1995, the death/power/folk-metal outfit Ensiferum draws thematic material from ancient Viking narratives, its moniker itself taken directly from the Latin term denoting one who bears a sword. Guitarist Markus Toivonen established the group and has served as its only uninterrupted participant amid the members’ overlapping commitments to other metal endeavors. After circulating several demo recordings, the ensemble secured a deal with Spinefarm, Finland’s leading metal imprint, which issued the self-titled debut album in 2001. The follow-up Iron appeared in 2004, both efforts showcasing vocalist Jari Mäenpää, bassist Jukka-Pekka Miettinen, keyboardist Meiju Enho, drummer Oliver Fokin, and Toivonen; several of these musicians simultaneously performed in the black/dark metal act Arthemesia, after which Mäenpää departed to form Wintersun.

Further personnel shifts preceded the arrival of the third full-length, Victory Songs, in 2007, when Enho exited and Emmi Silvennoinen assumed keyboard responsibilities, making her recorded introduction on the 2009 release From Afar. The fifth studio album, Unsung Heroes, followed in 2012, while 2015 brought the Metal Blade debut One Man Army. Silvennoinen stepped away in 2016; accordionist Netta Skog took her place and contributed to Two Paths, issued in 2017 and marking the band’s strongest chart performance to that point. Early in 2020 Pekka Montin replaced Skog on keyboards while also supplying clean vocals. Thalassic, the ensemble’s first conceptual work, emerged later that year. Four years afterward came Winter Storm, a bracing melodic folk-metal statement distinguished by pronounced symphonic touches and an expansive, theatrical sensibility.