Thalassic – ENSIFERUM
It's almost impossible to achieve longevity in heavy metal without repeating yourselves occasionally. In the best possible way, ENSIFERUM have been the model of consistency over the years, with a long-established musical identity and a steady forward march toward bigger and better things very much part of the bargain. Righteously huge in Europe, the Finns have so far lacked the collective charisma to emulate AMON AMARTH's unlikely ascent to festival headliner status, but "Thalassic" sounds like the record they needed to make to unlock those last few potential levels.
Any fear that founder Markus Toivonen had run out of ideas by this point are walking the plank within seconds of sumptuous overture "Seafarer's Dream". Although not a full-blown concept album, "Thalassic" does revolve around a core theme of battles, beasts and mythological happenings on the high seas. One result of that subtle shift of focus is that ENSIFERUM's eighth studio record is a much more rounded affair than any of its predecessors: with the wind in their lyrical sails, the band's mastery of atmosphere and drama has blossomed. You might not hear it in the exuberant bombast of preview single and instant crowd-pleaser "Rum, Women, Victory" (which might initially seem like a boozy ALESTORM knockoff but is actually one of the most straightforwardly ripping tunes ENSIFERUM have recorded yet), but from the widescreen thunder of "Andromeda" onwards, "Thalassic" showcases a subtly enhanced and expanded musical vision, with more depth to underlying orchestration, and more muscular heft behind everything else.
It's always been an impressive feat, ENSIFERUM's blending of melodic death metal's heads-down intensity with the fog-shrouded pomp of Finnish folk metal. The latter influence has always been closer in spirit to AMORPHIS than to FINNTROLL, and its potency has never been more apparent than in the likes of "For Sirens" and "The Defence of the Sampo", wherein Toivonen's (or possibly bassist Sami Hinkka's) clean vocals provide an emotional counterpoint to frontman Petri Lindroos's dominant rasp. Elsewhere, "One with the Sea" is truly monumental. At six minutes, it's a veritable epic by ENSIFERUM standards, but it's the song's ghostly grandeur and euphoric chorus that mark it out as a career high point. It also helps that Janne Joutsenniemi's production is immaculate: vivid, warm and nuanced, but still exerting the ribcage-rattling oomph that modern metal demands.
Concluding with the riotous call to revel of "Midsummer Magic" and the imposing, intricate and laudably ambitious "Cold Northland (Väinämöinen Part III)", "Thalassic" isn't radically different from previous ENSIFERUM records. What it does do, and brilliantly so, is confirm beyond doubt that this band are more than worthy of their place at European metal's top table. Consistent? Yes. But also getting stronger and sharper with every fresh skirmish, rum consumption notwithstanding.
Related Articles
-
Catfish & The Bottlemen announce 7 inch and merch for new single ‘Showtime’: “Back to the graft again”
news
The track will mark the band's first new music in five years The post Catfish & The Bottlemen announce...
-
-
5 games that look (and play) better on the Nintendo Switch OLED
news
Seeing is believing on the shiner version of Nintendo’s hybrid console. The post 5 games that look (and play) better...
-
Ice Spice to Star Alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s High and Low
news
The reinterpretation of Akria Kurosawa's 1963 original also features Jeffery Wright. Ice Spice to Star Alongside Denzel Washington in Spike...
-
-
‘The Boys’ star Karl Urban says they ran out of fake sperm while filming ‘Herogasm’
news
"It was a challenge for all involved" The post ‘The Boys’ star Karl Urban says they ran out of fake...
-
Bikini Kill Announce Rescheduled 2023 Tour Dates
news
North American run includes stops in Nashville, Atlanta, Boston, Toronto, and Philadelphia. Bikini Kill Announce Rescheduled 2023 Tour Dates Eddie Fu
-
Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Biggest Dream’ Came True At The Grammys
news
Olivia Rodrigo won Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammys, joining an impressive roster of musicians that includes Megan...
0 Comments
Recent Posts
- Watch: KELLY CLARKSON Sings ‘Crazy On You’ With HEART
- Tupac Estate Demands Drake Take Down ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ Over AI Vocals
- Takeoff to Be Posthumously Featured on Ye and Ty Dolla $ign’s ‘Vultures 2’
- Who will win Eurovision 2024? Here are the latest bookies’ odds
- ‘Summer Slaughter’ 2024 Lineup, Tour Dates Announced