Ensiferum - Unsung Heroes

I have never really gotten into this Finnish folk/speed stuff. I have found most of it quite cheesy and any of the bands I found to be really good ended up going awful after a few albums. The only band I have made any exception for is Ensiferum. I have never found them to be as cheesy, much more atmosphere and enjoyable melodies than the rest of the clan. The new album, 'Unsung Heroes' is a bit of a change and I think their best album yet.

What I like first and foremost is how they have dropped the pace a lot. The melodies have more space to breathe and be really felt. Riffs in general catch on more and the synths appear more evident which means the atmosphere is felt. The speed from the first albums was just getting too much and I really couldn't take it all in at once. Things feel more controlled here, more mature. The lead work on songs like 'Burning Leaves' and 'Unsung Heroes' for example can be grasped rather than missed. Overall, it feels more powerful and emotive.

The chanted lyrics, choirs, the singing, even the harsh vocals all have more feel and stand out because of this slower pace. The way they transition too is so much more effective because of this. Would a song like 'Unsung Heroes' or 'Burning Leaves' really feel as epic if it was in the speed vein? I don't think so. The acoustic passages (or songs like 'Celestial Bond', 'Last Breath') and solos now have a chance to be embraced and admired with the way they break out or blend into the songs.

Speed still exists in 'Retribution Shall Be Mine' but I have heard this all before from them. I still feel the cheese too in a bit of the chants but it is not as in your face this time around. The harsh vocals sound a bit weak as well, perhaps the only weak element I am picking up here. These are very minor gripes though.

Perhaps after the victorious and epic battles of the first four albums and the celebrations with wild partying, beer sculling and dancing, 'Unsung Heroes' is the moment when by dusk you have become tired, you put down your shield and sword and sit on the front porch of your home that sits on top of a hill that overlooks the city. You sit there with great pride as you look over the city that now stands safe and tall after you helped fought to defend it and its country in a great battle. The progressive 'Passion, Proof, Power' may best represent that feeling.

In the end, a change in direction but for the better. Had this been like the previous albums, it would have gone in one ear and out the other. Surprised and very impressed. Instead of similar bands who changed direction for worse, Ensiferum has dropped the twiddle and fiddle and come of age. Triumphant and epic. A glorious effort.

Ikil