Ensiferum have returned with their ninth studio album, Winter Storm, out October 18, 2024, via Metal Blade Records. With their latest offering, the band delivers a towering, epic tale set against a frozen fantasy landscape, exploring themes of war, resilience, and ancient magic. This ninth album marks their longest break between releases, and the wait has only fueled the band’s creative fire. Following the highly successful Thalassic, which dominated international charts in 2020, the Finnish folk-metal veterans are back with a conceptual album that embraces their melodic death metal roots while infusing fresh elements honed over the pandemic lockdown.
Bassist Sami Hinkka, who penned the album’s story, draws from an unpublished fantasy novel he’s crafted over the years. The concept is sprawling, weaving together a saga of flying warhorses, mystic shamans, and a battle for survival amidst treacherous, snow-covered lands. Tracks like “Winter Storm Vigilantes” and “Fatherland” introduce listeners to rival factions and supernatural powers, while “Scars In My Heart,” featuring Madeleine Liljestam of Eleine on lead vocals, adds an emotional depth, beautifully countering the album’s grandeur with raw sentiment.
Hinkka's narrative allows Ensiferum to flex their musical storytelling prowess. The story threads throughout the album with vivid lyrics that plunge listeners into a world where fantasy and battle cry melodies collide.
Founding member and guitarist Markus Toivonen’s exploration of digital composition tools during the lockdown led to a fresh, layered sound on Winter Storm. The album benefits from Markus's experimentation with Logic Pro, as he expertly fuses traditional folk metal instrumentation with cinematic production and MIDI elements. The result is a meticulously crafted album, heavier and more intricate than its predecessors. Tracks like “Long Cold Winter of Sorrow and Strife” and “Resistentia” -among many others- feel colossal, yet filled with intricate details that reward repeated listens.
Pekka Montin’s vocal presence, first showcased on Thalassic, truly comes into its own here. His soaring high notes lend a heroic resonance to tracks like album opener “Winter Storm Vigilantes,” and the album-closing “Victorious,” where his voice ascends in thrilling contrast to harsh growls and galloping guitar riffs. His operatic prowess has now become a cornerstone of Ensiferum’s sound, elevating the anthemic qualities of the album to new heights.
“Leniret Coram Tempestate,” is a striking instrumental piece, a stormy voyage through blistering guitar solos, riffs, and orchestrations that evoke winter’s harsh beauty. Yet, it's the album’s closer, “Victorious,” that solidifies Winter Storm as a hallmark of Ensiferum's discography. With its climactic battle cries and triumphant melody, it encapsulates the album’s spirit of perseverance against overwhelming odds.
Though Winter Storm requires a few listens to fully appreciate, it ultimately reveals a band willing to evolve while staying true to their epic storytelling roots. For long-time fans, this is Ensiferum at their most ambitious, and for newcomers, it’s a gateway into a frozen world of mythic heroes and relentless metal.
Winter Storm is a bold, dramatic album that affirms Ensiferum's status as masters of folk-metal storytelling. It’s clear they’ve channelled the frustrations of recent years into an album that’s equal parts fury and finesse. As they head into their 30th year, Ensiferum proves they are more than capable of pushing boundaries while maintaining the passion that has fueled their journey from the start. For those ready to brave the storm, this album promises an exhilarating, chilling, and thoroughly rewarding ride.