Customer Reviews

From Afar

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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!

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.

I have been a die hard Ensiferum fan for years. Every record to date is totally awesome and I have every note memorized to every song. I even learned how to play several of my favorites on the guitar. This record however has really grown on me. Petri Lindroos has really come into his own and gave a killer vocal performance on this record. The vocals were very powerful and brutal. The guitar riffs and melodies locked together extremely well and the music feels uplifting and epic. The use of heavy keyboards and orchestrations takes the music to the next level and makes this record sound different from previous releases. The song writing was top notch and incorperated enough variation to keep even 12:49 song Longest Journey one of my top favorites on the record. My favorite part of the record are the epic Viking choruses. I listen to the record in my car every morning singing along and headbanging to this record frequently. If you listen to it the whole way through you feel like you have been on an epic journey, slaying all of the enemies on your path and consuming their blood for power. Words cannot describe how awesome this record is. Most albums you just skip around to your favorite songs, but this one should be listened to all the way from start to finish, so you can appreciate every masterpiece on this record. Any fan of folk metal, melo death, or heavy metal in general would be wise to purchase this record and every other Ensiferum record. Support talented bands so they can keep making real music. If you don't want to paint your face in Viking war paint, grab a sword and shield, and go on an epic Viking quest of glory by the end of this record, then you need to listen to the record again, and again until you do it.

Their best yet. Excellent song-writing, more complex melodies and structures without sacrificing any of their power, and some very interesting and at times surprising elements... a banjo solo, an a cappella performance (Tumman virran taa), and more.

This album has really grown on me in the year since I bought it. The choruses in songs like Smkoking Ruins, underpinned with melodic accompaniment from multiple instruments, are really catchy and I find myself absent-mindedly whistling them.

If you're a fan of earlier Ensiferum, or nordic metal in general, this is a great release to check out. Here's wishing Ensiferum success (so they keep making great music for us...)

Though they are technically Finns, they play what I can only describe as Viking metal. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how I see it.

I bought Victory Songs a few years ago, and liked it well enough. However From Afar surpasses that album.

The songs are epic and full of variety, plenty of galloping rhythms, and even some pretty mean guitar solos. Despite the harsh vocals, I am able to actually understand some of the lyrics. I haven't gone into the deeper meanings of the songs yet, but overall, they create a unique and interesting sound that is very well done.

One day, I'd like to see what these guys and girl look like without makeup!

Overall, this is a great example of epic Viking metal, with a bit of folk and traditional mixed in with some serious killer riffs. And, they are not afraid to allow a guitar solo once in a while or throw in other non-metal instruments.

Great stuff. Highly recommended.

This is easily the best Ensiferum record. the way in which they mixed it was brilliant! Also you can tell that Petri is a lot more used to using with Ensiferum because his voice is even better on this record then Dragon Heads or Victory Songs. Overall this is a great record.

This album lives up to the rest! It has a new, more produced sound than the previous albums. It plays out like a movie soundtrack almost. I enjoyed every single track! HAIL!

This album would excell, if Jari Maenpaa were still around. I missed him. Thank you for your time.

There are a couple tracks with no guitar and there are only 9. The ninth song starts off pretty annoying with the growling. The 4th song seems pretty slow at times. The fifth song sounds a bit hecktic. Everyone has heard the second song on youtube (from afar). The sixth song gets really light in the middle and you hear some 'annoying' things like piano. The wistling is cool though. Reminded me of kill bill. Over many of the tracks the synth seems a bit heavy and can conflict with the vocals. Overall not a disappointment though because I still find it enjoyable to listen to.