ENSIFERUM To Release 'Two Paths' Album In September

July 19, 2017

Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM will release their seventh album, "Two Paths", on September 15 via Metal Blade Records. Produced by Anssi Kippo, the disc was recorded on tape, for a true analog experience.

The first single from the album, "For Those About To Fight For Metal", can be streamed below.

You can't talk about the true greats of folk-inspired melodic death metal without reverent mention of ENSIFERUM, and with "Two Paths", they once more affirm their place in the pantheons of the genre. Further building upon the thrilling metallic hybrid honed across six full-lengths, "Two Paths" is simultaneously the Finnish quintet's most epic and far-reaching collection and their most organic, which definitely sets it apart from the pack. Additionally, the album literally takes the concept of "Two Paths" to heart, with two different versions of standout tracks "Don't You Say" and "God Is Dead".

"Even though ENSIFERUM has always had clean vocals and choirs, harsh vocals have been the main style, and those songs worked so well with both styles that we decided to include both versions," explains bassist/vocalist Sami Hinkka. With Mikko P. Mustonen again handling orchestral arrangements and Lassi Logren returning to play nyckelharpa and violin on a few songs, Hinkka is also more than happy that they brought "more bombastic orchestral and down to earth folk aspects" to the record, further fleshing out their vision. This also applies to the contribution of Gyula Havancsak, who provided the artwork for both "Two Paths" and its predecessor, "One Man Army". "It was really nice to work with him again because he always wants to hear our ideas and then he adds his own magic and improvements to them, and the result is always astonishing," says Hinkka.

"Two Paths" track listing

01. Ajattomasta Unesta
02. For Those About To Fight For Metal
03. Way Of The Warrior
04. Two Paths
05. King Of Storms
06. Feast With Valkyries
07. Don't You Say
08. I Will Never Kneel
09. God Is Dead
10. Hail To The Victor
11. Unettomaan Aikaan
12. God Is Dead (Alternative Version)
13. Don't You Say (Alternative Version)

From September 27 onward, ENSIFERUM will present "Two Paths" live on stage, splitting their European tour into two parts. The first part will be in September with six dates in three countries, and then in April 2018 there will be an extended tour through many more European countries. In between that time, ENSIFERUM will visit all other continents.

ENSIFERUM is:

Petri Lindroos - Vocals/Guitar
Markus Toivonen - Guitar/Vocals
Sami Hinkka - Bass/Vocals
Janne Parviainen - Drums
Netta Skog - Digital Accordion/Backing vocals

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