Bring patience, the CD takes its time!

The question that was put to me in advance of this album, whether the fins to withstand the high pressure of expectation, which they themselves have saddled themselves with an incredible series of great albums and nourished with the "studio diaries". My answer was NO after the first few auditions. Well, one and a half months later, my answer is an absolute YES. I conclude that you have to give this CD really time so can realize that Ensiferum have created with "Unsung Heroes" another great album. My impressions:

The first four songs are written I think in the typical Ensiferum tradition. "Symbol" (after, in my opinion, disappointing intro to From Afar again a great intro), "In my sword I trust", "Unsung Heroes" and "Burning Leaves" could also be located on the older albums and are power full , thrilling, moving pieces, showing that Ensiferum not let go their style to 100%. At first listen, I was in the song in it.

The second half of the album has initially disappointed me greatly. With "Celestial Bond" suddenly an acoustic song comes with a woman's voice, which seems out of place in any album. No comparison with the though controversial, but estimated by me, "Tears" on the album Iron. After being half lulled, the Finns cut suddenly the hardest song of the record afterward, "Retribution shall be mine" that comes along quite nice but also seems a bit inconsequential, very similar to the older songs "Elusive Reaches" and "The New dawn ". As Wachrüttler but well placed. I thought the album picks up speed again, but Ensiferum brakes again with a partly acoustic, sometimes ballad-like song "Star Queen", which, however, by far sounds better than "Celestial Bond", Samis and Markus warm voices goodness. With "Pohjola" This is followed by one of the best songs on the album, where you have to get used to but. But epic really go no more now! To my initial surprise comes with "Last Breath", a third acoustic song which, although likely to be no Gassenhauer, but is quite nice.

Most fight I had with the last song: "Power, Proof, Passion". At 17 minutes in length the longest song of Ensiferum. In this song I had been looking forward to the most, because in the last two albums each, the last song "Victory Song" and "Last Journey" have excessive length and still among my favorite songs. PPP initially terribly disappointed me. Confusingly song structure, peculiar opera singing, spoken adapter ... it seemed all in all such a mess. Then I sat down and the song is one consciously examined, given the number of opportunities and lo and behold ... the song is super! Although he does not come to the excessive length songs above approach, but he is a great summary of all influences the Ensiferum is far inferior ...

Conclusion: Recommended! To all who are disappointed by the CD: Multiple listen ... give the album a chance, it is worth. Ensiferum has not published with "Unsung Heroes" by far their best album, but a very good, trying to escape with fresh, partly wayward ideas the Viking folk average, also actually creates! My favorite, however, remain "Victory Songs" ... Could not be better!

One star less for the song "Celestial Bond". I want to hear on a Ensiferum album no same woman's voice ... totally misplaced song!