Ensiferum recently released their new album, Two Paths, via Metal Blade Records; for their efforts, the band has now entered the worldwide charts! See below for all positions:

--#14 Current Hard Music Albums (USA)
--#18 Top New Artist Albums (USA)
--#147 Current Digital Albums (USA)
--#160 Top Current Albums (USA)
--#195 Digital Albums (USA)
--#4 Finland
--#9 Germany
--#18 Switzerland
--#35 Austria
--#43 Independent Album Charts (UK)
--#9 Top Hard Albums (Canada)
--#45 Top 200 (Canada)

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."

Order the new album here.

Two Paths tracklisting:

“Ajattomasta Unesta”
“For Those About To Fight For Metal”
“Way Of The Warrior”
“Two Paths”
“King Of Storms”
“Feast With Valkyries”
“Don't You Say”
“I Will Never Kneel”
“God Is Dead”
“Hail To The Victor”
“Unettomaan Aikaan”
“God Is Dead” (Alternative Version)
“Don't You Say” (Alternative Version)

Album stream:

“Making of” video:

“Way Of The Warrior” video:

From September 26th 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. See below for all confirmed shows, with more to be announced soon.

Tour dates:

September
26 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche
27 - Langen, Germany - Stadthalle
28 - Arnhem, Netherlands - Luxor Live
29 - Berlin, Germany - SO36
30 - Osnabruck, Germany - Hyde Park

October
1 - Paris, France - La Machine

Ensiferum lineup:

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