1. By the Dividing Stream (3:50) 2. From Afar (4:52) 3. Twilight Tavern (5:39) 4. Heathen Throne (11:09) 5. Elusive Reaches (3:26) 6. Stone Cold Metal (7:26) 7. Smoking Ruins (6:40) 8. Tumman Virran Taa (0:53) 9. The Longest Journey [Heathen Throne Part II] (12:49) 10. Vandraren (Nordman cover; Limited edition bonus track)

After the release of Victory Songs in 2007 Ensiferum have been on a heavy touring cycle headlining their own gigs and participating in both Paganfest 2008 and the Summer Slaughter tour. From Afar marks the band’s fourth album released with Spinefarm Records and clearly shows they still have what it takes to be at the top of the folk metal genre.

Ensiferum delivers another impressive display of musicianship with catchy, melodic, and high energy tracks such as “Twilight Tavern”, “Stone Cold Metal”, and “Smoking Ruins”. Lengthy ballads “Heathen Throne” and its 12-minute counterpart wind us through an epic saga allowing for folk melody, those catchy blazing guitar riffs, and choruses alongside Petri Lindroos’ growls. Orchestral backgrounds are noticeable in most tracks and consequently the album has a more polished and robust feel and isn’t as raw as say, 2004’s Iron.

While From Afar has no real surprises for fans of Ensiferum (except maybe that bizarre western theme in “Stone Cold Metal”), it’s a diverse and powerful album and possibly one of their best yet. Ensiferum maintain their identity as one of folk metal’s finest while adding a few twists here and there. I highly recommend checking these guys out on tour this fall as they bring a whole lot more energy to the stage than any album captures.

8.5/10