Right after the usual (and long bit), folky instrumental intro "By The Dividing Stream" it comes with the title track "From Afar" all the stops: A by-pressed to floor the accelerator, jagged Power Metal riffs, an orchestral backing of the Lord the rings soundtrack box, harsh vocals in the verse, a lot of noise and a vivid, combative chorus. A fairly strong start and the stuff of which dreams are made of Ensiferum fans. The schunkelige "Twilight Tavern" is just as fun, but you have to admit though that the Halali-leads and the sardonic refrain sounded something exciting on the old albums and this kind of music, slowly but surely wears pretty.
The seem to have Ensiferum also recognized slow somewhat. That is why they presented with the two-part epic "Heathen Throne" really their penchant for overly long Schlachtfeldzenarien with lots of pathos. Thus they prove that they are still one-upmanship are their epigones, which inundate the metal scene lately literally and often with questionable results ahead. The mix classic metal riffs and 80s guitar solos, screeching harsh and clear vocals, strings and bombastic passages folkloric works here still and creates images in the mind, in which the best fantasy film can not keep up. Classic Ensiferum fabric as the quick and simple "Elusive Reaches" or provided with a slightly larger proportion Folk "Smoking ruins" can not quite hold a candle to the in this regard. Of particular note is still "Stone Cold Metal". There Django encounters Gollum. Here a true Western feel is spread with trumpet, whistle and banjo, which first sounds a little unusual, but pretty quickly puts a grin on the face of the listener.
Total Ensiferum is once again a quite pleasant work succeeded. Through small tuning measures in sound, the Finns have ensured that they are not sunk into insignificance fortunately (yet). Because over time these sounds folk / pagan metal but ausgelutscht plentiful because he can not have much opportunity to variations. But still Ensiferum are there and belligerently. But anyway this devotion will surely join ausladenderen compositions not anywhere in reciprocal love.