Ensiferum bombastic-epic than ever before!

I was lucky enough to hear a promo version of the album, and Ensieferum show with "From Afar" a significant development and open up an unexpected explosion of stylistic means, precision and elements, how it did not know the previous works.
Of course, still the mighty base of the music form the familiar Ensiferum characteristics: very melodic, strong lead guitar oriented, faster Viking Metal.
However, can be found in this new masterpiece as strong influences from symphonic orchestral elements a la Nightwish, walzendem Melo-Death Wintersun brand and a good dose of Turisas fanfares bombast.
Of course, the Ensiferum already exist the distinctive folk Parts with traditional Finnish instruments, flutes or acoustic guitar, on the previous album "Victory Songs" have used perfectly and very targeted.
Generally speaking, that Ensiferum could evolve to one, on the other hand the incomparable melodic hardness of the previous time be connected to the folkloric predecessor Silberling.

"By the dividing Stream" is the almost 4 minute Intro this madness plate and opens the listener immediately where the next forty-five minutes goes.
One of the two marathon tracks is the 11 minute "Heathen Throne" that is equipped so rich with elements, riffs, style and tempo changes that it would have been enough for three or four songs. It is strongly reminiscent of the material of Moonsorrows "Kivenkantaja".
"Twilight Tavern" shows us first what is a lead guitar. Bassdrumgewalze, guitar Fireworks at 240bpm and a sing-along chorus perfeckter Brand "Lai Lai Hei" or "Ahti".
Already cult is the instrumental middle section of the song "Stone Cold Metal". Almost not to put into words Ensiferum mix together a mix of piano, gentle choruses, acoustic guitars, mandolins, flutes, lonely prairie sound and a discreet Hall that something reminiscent of the "Iron" opener "Ferrum Aeternum". Goosebumps and incredibly epic.
"Elusive Reaches" could be described as a mix of "Windrider" and "Blood is the Price of Glory": fast, entertaining, awesome.
Finally, I would like to mention "Smoking Ruins" that in my opinion one of the finest guitar / folk Intros contains this genre. Similar to the guitar interplay with Blind Guardian "Bard's Song", only faster.

"From Afar" is bombastic, epic, and just an incredibly dense, haunting work. The band sweeps my mind with their new album the Kunkurrenz really out of the way and rolled a huge swathe in the Nordic forests.