Finland's ENSIFERUM have spent the past 18 years honing the steel of their folk-infused battle metal auditory attack. Their albums are further bolstered by a live show that has become one of the most entertaining in all of metal. Proof of Ensiferum's status as one of the most vital bands in modern metal was made apparent through their headlining slot on this year's Paganfest USA tour. To further spread the band's music to a worldwide audience, Ensiferum has forged a deal with Metal Blade Records. The band inked the deal with Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel during the Paganfest USA tour, and all parties are enthusiastic about new music and new possibilities.

Bassist/backing vocalist Sami Hinkka comments: "We are really looking forward to our co-operation with such a great and legendary label as Metal Blade. The next full length album should be out in early 2015. We have already started working with the new songs and it's obvious that the next album will be another step ahead for Ensiferum. And now that we have united forces with mighty Metal Blade nothing can stop us! The next album is going to be something that will rock the very foundations of folk metal genre.

We also would like to thank Spinefarm Records for all these 13 years, it's been as blast but now it is time for us to move on and head bravely towards new challenges.

The future looks bright for Sword Bearers!"

Ensiferum will be touring throughout Europe and South America this summer as they continue their live campaign in support of their most recent album, Unsung Heroes. Confirmed dates can be seen below:

European Festivals:

April

26 - Oulu, Finland - Teatria
27 - Helsinki, Finland - Virgin Oil
28 - Losheim Am See, Germany - Hexentanz Festival

May

5 - Istanbul, Turkey - Headbangers Weekend Istanbul
18 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Rock Hard Festival
20 - Leipzig, Germany - Wave Gothic Treffen

June

7 - Espoo, Finland - Kivenlahti Rock

20-22 - Nummijärvi, Finland - Nummirock

26-30 - Tokaj-Rakamaz, Hungary - Hegyalka Festival

July

11-13 - Ballenstedt, Germany - Rockharz Open Air

22-26 - Tolmin, Slovenia - Metaldays

August

7-10 - Jaromer, Czech Republic - Brutal Assault

9-10 - Villena, Spain - Leyendas del Rock Festival

15-17 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze

15-17 - Falun, Sweden - Rockstad Falun

South American Tour:

May

28 - Bogota, Columbia - Teatro Las Vegas Nevada
30 - Santiago, Chile - Blondie Club
31 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Teatro Vorterix

June

1 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Carioca Club
2 - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil - Teatro Odisséia

Ensiferum is:

Petri Lindroos - vocals/guitar

Markus Toivonen - guitar/backing vocals

Sami Hinkka - bass/backing vocals

Janne Parviainen - drums

Emmi Silvennoinen - keys/backing vocals

More on Ensiferum at this location.

In the last couple of years, the Heidenfest turned out to be a unique and not-to-be-missed tour package when it comes to the biggest names in the field of heathen / Viking metal and bands offering you the best in between war anthems and drinking horn frenzy. Which is why the 2013 lineup again looks like the wet dream of every heathen metal warrior:

Headlining will be mighty genre legends Ensiferum. These much-loved Viking and folk metallers definitely know how to get a good party going and have recently released their opus magnum Unsung Jeroes in 2012. Travelling with them will be fellow countrymen TURISAS who are currently busying themselves with recording a brand new album and whipping out that infamous red / black war paint!

Germans EQUILIBRIUM must be considered as true stars of the German pagan metal genre: they`ve set fire to every club so far with their explosive mixture of catchiness and heaviness. These guys and girls are also working on a new album right now. SUIDAKRA combine melody with death metal and folk parts - Eternal Defiance will be released end of May 2013.

A "special guest" for the whole tour will be announced soon. Furthermore there will be two more acts at the "Extended Shows" which will also be announced before long!.Keep your eyes peeled and check Heidenfest.eu regularly - there you will find further news soon. Get your tickets and fan packs (ticket + shirt+ CD) here.

Tour dates:

September

20 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
21 - Giessen, Germany - Hessenhallen *Extended*
22 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix *Extended*
23 - Paris, France - Bataclan
24 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
25 - Milano, Italy - Live Club
26 - Wien, Austria - Arena
27 - Geiselwind, Germany - Musichall *Extended*
28 - München, Germany - Backstage *Extended*
29 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
30 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle

October

1 - Berlin, Germany - Postbahnhof
4 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn *Extended*
5 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle *Extended*
6 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13 *Extended*

More info at this location.