The new Ensiferum finally establish themselves.
Weston C. Portman | Bellingham WA USA | 09/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ensiferum may forever be defined by the brilliant song writting on the first two releases with Jari Maenpaa, but with this release I think they have finally been reborn and proved themselves to be not only masters of the genre but masters of metal. This album is very solid, meaning from start to finish you can feel it's overlying theme and sense a good flow to the style and structure of each song. As someone who hated Victory Songs I can say that this album is much different. Petri's vocals have improved significantly since Victory Songs, but more importantly the song writting is more mature and Epic, rather than the cartoony feel of Victory Songs. Every song on this album is perfect and complex without wasted sound. Highlights of the album are the two long songs Heathen Throne 1 and 2, and the western themed song Stone Cold Metal with a banjo solo straight into electric guitar solo. But each and every song on this album are hits. It's pure epicness and power all the way through. I think for many this album will become a favorite over even Ensiferum and Iron, and will become the definitive album for future fans. It is an extremely solid and well produced album with beautiful song writting, It is easily one of my all time favorite metal albums and I look forward to how much fame this album will bring the band. Long live Ensiferum and welcome back!"
A solid buy
Zachary Thomas | North Chicago | 10/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There really isn't much I can say to do justice to From Afar. This is one of the band's most ambitious albums and they deliver fully, as I was not disappointed with a single track. The sound of the album sounds like Ensiferum, but mixed with somewhat of a Bal-Sagoth vibe in both the riffing and the orchestrations. Also, this album definitely takes Ensiferum's use of traditional and orchestral instruments and steps it up about 5 notches. The music on this album just sounds bigger than their pervious albums. Petri's vocals and playing have also improved, showing that the former Norther frontman is finally beginning to fill the very large shoes that Jari left behind when he departed from the band to pursue his Wintersun solo project. The album contains much experimentation, like banjo solos, vocal chanting, and more intricate song styles. Two of the tracks are even over 10 minutes long! Honestly, I feel that this album doesn't disappoint in any way... except for some of the lyrics. Those did do become bland after a little while. But since when did vikings have to be poets? Buy it now!"
Pleasantly Surprised...
R. K. Foster | Greensboro, NC USA | 11/18/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I went to an Ensiferum show with the sole intent of seeing Hypocrisy... their unfortunate immigration problem put a damper on the evening. Despite this disappointment, I decided to go anyway as I'd already made the plans to do so. I went into the show knowing next to nothing about Ensiferum - hadn't even bothered to check out any sound samples to get any ideas, and I had only known what I had read about them here and there. I wasn't expecting anything amazing, but I was pleasantly surprised by their performance and their music. While my taste for this brand of metal has certainly waned over the years, I could appreciate it for what it is - it isn't something that's likely going to come across my iPod very often, but the music is well executed and serves its purpose. I think I'd get the most enjoyment out of this cd while driving along the highway or cleaning my house - it has an energetic, driving nature to it. The musicians are skilled and there's a bit of a thrashy edge to the symphonic nature of the melodies, similar in a way to fellow Finns Children of Bodom, minus the snotty attitude. While its not high on my list of personal favorites, I would certainly recommend it to anyway looking for a new band to check out."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1