Victory Songs - Dark Publications

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Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Into Battle......... Again!! February 6, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

First off, I think it's quite evident that people know that the talented mr. Jari isn't on this album. It is evident is the cd as well. While the new guy Petri is a great vocalist to 'replace' him, Jari still is supreme. No one can truly replace him. As far as the music goes, Markus Toivonen took over most of the music writing, while the new guy, Sami Hinkka is writing the vast majority of the lyrics. Without Jari, the music
has suffered by not by a HUGE amount. Jari did write amazing songs, song which anyone else cannot reproduce, but Markus does a good job in taking the reigns. Musically this album is slightly less technical and complex, which they need Jari's skills to remedy. It's not incredibly less complex, just little bit. The solos on Iron were amazing, with the best ones
being on "Into Battle" and "Lai Lai Hei". With Markus Toivonen being the only original member, HE should be doing most of the solos. But no. Petri Lindroos performs most of them, and are of lesser quality than on Iron. The best and last solo on this album is on "Victory Song" and the solo is performed by Markus toivonen. Markus did the magnificent solo on Into Battle, if he does this good with a solo, why didn't he do the rest of the solos on the album????? Petri is good, but not the quality
that Markus can belt out. The folk elements on the album are more inter weaved and strewn into the music than before, which is good. The used of some growling vocals on "Ahti" are a very very nice touch. Although Ahti needed a better and longer solo than the one it has. Meiju Enho's keyboards take a less prominent role here than on Iron. The keyoards on iron gave it a very nice,
epic feel, while on Victory Songs, its less prevalent. Although her work on here is still very good. Overall the album still has incredible quality and innovative touches, and the music is top notch, although nothing in comparison to the Jari albums. Best songs include "Blood is the Price of Glory" (with intro), Ahti, Wanderer, and Victory Song. The song "Wanderer" is better than its counterpart "Lost in Despair" on iron, and is one of the best songs on the
album. Each song is different from another, and each song carries its own theme. There is not a single weak song and it shows that great care went into creating them. The lyrical content is less intelligent than on Iron and the first album, but still good. Ensiferum and Wintersun completely pound any cute little "nu metal" "Metalcore" and "Screamo" band that tries to pass themselves off as rea metal into the ground. Ensiferum never disappoint, and without Jari they still manage to put out an incredible, bombastic album witch wakes the inner warrior within you. Also check out Jari's solo project "Wintersun". It is absolutely amazing.

4 out of 5 stars

Better than I expected. November 30, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I say it's better than I expected, however, that isn't entirely true. Victory Songs was the first Ensiferum album I've purchased, and I've heard a lot of their previous stuff off the web. So, I expected an average folk/viking metal album. After one listen, this CD met my expectations. After a few listens, it exceeded my expectations. This album follows themes of anything you would expect from any viking/folk metal band: battle, dubious pleasures, and victory. I must say that I love both Jari and Petri, and I do believe that Petri does a great job in Ensiferum.

The disc starts out with a nice, short instrumental entitled "Ad Victorium". Crashing waves, thundering skys, and a running horse are just a few features of this song. It starts slow with a steady (steel?) drum beat and light instruments which make you really feel like you're forming a line before a great battle. The perfect precursor to the second song on the album..

"Blood is the Price of Honor" really delivers in my eyes (ears?). Not many people talk about this song but I have to say I really enjoy it. It's played at a furious speed as Petri belts out the story of a great battle in which the victors absolutely crushed their opponents.

"Deathbringer from the Sky" is an interesting song. Musically I think it falls a bit short, however, the subject matter and lyrics are quite nice. It tells the story of a Dragon whom, I believe, is being hunted and must defend itself against his mortal enemy, man.

"Ahti" is a God of the seas who watches over sailors apparently. This is quite a good song, very singable and will be great Live. Probably one of those "it's better live songs than it is on the album" type of songs. This song doesn't seem to be about anything but Ahti and how he governs his world. Based on Finnish folklore.

"One More Magic Potion" is possibly the greatest song on this CD. I love drinking songs, and this doesn't disappoint! It has quite the fun story to it too. It's about some soldiers who got lost in the woods and found a house. The resident let them come inside her house to rest and she was making some alcohol (presumably some sort of moonshine), the soldiers liked the smell. She served some of it to them and it made them feel good and seemed to make their wounds hurt less, therefore they dubbed it a "magic potion". HAH! It goes on about how they keep drinking and have a good old time. Everything about this song screams sing-along!

"Wanderer" is a close second as favorite on this disc. When I listen to this song I can picture sitting around a campfire hearing a great tale of the Wanderer being told. He is a well known old man who grew tired of fighting wars, so he picked a direction and started to ride. He rode away from the cares of his world, and while he misses them, he welcomes new adventures.

"Raised by the Swords" is a song simply about men who were raised as warriors from birth. Kind of reminiscent of Ancient Roman soldiers. Another really good song, man those drums!

"The New Dawn" is another battle song in which warriors are riding into a final battle against their opponent. This song goes by pretty quickly, and isn't one that really stands out.

"Victory Songs" is amazing. Clocking in at just over ten minutes this song starts slowly and really kicks it up by the end. From what I can gather this song is about an invading army who sneak attacks our heroes in the middle of night. However, a guard manages to blow a horn before he is killed which wakes the inhabitants of the village. Our heroes manage to fight off these barbarians at a great loss of life. The village remained safe for their children to live and prosper. Beautiful song, a top one on this album.

5 out of 5 stars

Grrrrrrrrreat! January 25, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

First off, I think it's quite evident that people know that the talented mr. Jari isn't on this album. It is evident is the cd as well. While the new guy Petri is a great vocalist to 'replace' him, Jari still is supreme. No one can truly replace him. As far as the music goes, Markus Toivonen took over most of the music writing, while the new guy, Sami Hinkka is writing the vast majority of the lyrics. Without Jari, the music
has suffered by not by a HUGE amount. Jari did write amazing songs, song which anyone else cannot reproduce, but Markus does a good job in taking the reigns. Musically this album is slightly less technical and complex, which they need Jari's skills to remedy. It's not incredibly less complex, just little bit. The solos on Iron were amazing, with the best ones
being on "Into Battle" and "Lai Lai Hei". With Markus Toivonen being the only original member, HE should be doing most of the solos. But no. Petri Lindroos performs most of them, and are of lesser quality than on Iron. The best and last solo on this album is on "Victory Song" and the solo is performed by Markus toivonen. If he does this good with a solo, why didn't he do the rest of the solos on the album????? Petri is good, but not the quality
that Markus can belt out. The folk elements on the album are more interweaved and strewn into the music than before, which is good. The used of some growling vocals on "Ahti" are a very very nice touch. Although Ahti needed a better and longer solo than the one it has. Meiju Enho's keyboards take a less prominent role here than on Iron. The keyoards on iron gave it a very nice,
epic feel, while on Victory Songs, its less prevelent. Although her work on here is still very good. Overall the album still has inredible quality and innovative touches, and the music is top notch, although nothing in comparison to the Jari albums. Best songs incldue "Blood is the Price of Glory" (with intro), Ahti, Wanderer, and Victory Song. The song "Wanderer" is better than its counterpart "Lost in Despair" on iron, and is one of the best songs on the
album. Each song is different from another, and each song carries its own theme. There is not a single weak song and it shows that great care went into creating them. The lyrical contnet is less intelligent than on Iron and the first album, but still good. Ensiferum and Wintersun completely pound any cute little "nu metal" "Metalcore" and "Screamo" band that tries to pass themselves off as rea metal into the ground. Ensiferum never disappoint, and without Jari they still manage to put out an incredible, bombastic album witch wakes the inner warrior within you. Also check out Jari's solo project "Wintersun". It is absolutely amazing.

3 out of 5 stars

Needs Improvement July 3, 2007
2 out of 9 found this review helpful

Incase anyone was wondering, this is the first full length release from Ensiferum that doesnt feature the creative genius/guitar god known as Jari. The new guy Petri, is from Norther, you know, the Children of Bodom cover band. While he does an average job of handling the vocals and guitar, Ensiferum is not (or were not) an average band. Not only that, but Jaris absence is clearer then day. The music doesnt use folk as well as Jari did, nor are there the freshness and uniqueness that made Ensiferum fun to listen to.

Oh well, Wintersun is by far a more godly outfit. Check them out instead.

5 out of 5 stars

The best folk metal since Fintroll October 5, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

If Black Metal and Power Metal were to ever have a child (gods forbid save this exception) it would be Ensiferum.

Ensiferum uses the melodies and choral arrangements without sacrificing the thrash and black elements.

Nothing is more evident than in their new album Victory Songs. With tracks such as the Wanderer and Victory Songs we see the professional and creative side of folk metal. With Ahti and Raised by the Sword we see the more hard-hitting skills that Ensiferum still possess.

The album is an awesome listen and I personally can listen to it all the way through without ever getting bored. Whether you are looking for original muscianiship or creative lyrics or both, consider this a perfect buy.

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