Iron is the second full-length album by Viking/folk metal band Ensiferum. This is the last album featuring Jari Mäenpää before he formed Wintersun the same year.
Ensiferum – what name would suit a band playing battle metal better, than a name that in Latin means “the Swordbearer”?
The band’s career fully took flight in 2000 after Spinefarm Records released their self titled debut album “Ensiferum”, and their busy touring made them a household favourite all over Finland. Their second album “Iron” took Ensiferum one step further, all the way to Copenhagen’s Sweet Silence Studios.
There in Denmark, during the Fall of 2003, their second album was recorded within the capable hands of producer Flemming Rasmussen, who in the past had recorded such masterpieces as Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” and “Ride the Lightning”.
Ensiferum - Iron (2004)
Ensiferum – Iron (2004)
1. Ferrum Aeternum 3:28
2. Iron 3:53
3. Sword Chant 4:44
4. Mourning Heart – Interlude 1:23
5. Tale Of Revenge 4:30
6. Lost In Despair 5:37
7. Slayer Of Light 3:10
8. Into Battle 5:52
9. Lai Lai Hei 7:15
10. Tears 3:20
11. Battery 10:43
“Iron” was a great success and grew the band’s popularity to whole new heights. The album also got the band some extensive touring abroad, but these metallic recordings and gigs finally took such a toll on the band that the year 2004 saw three band members depart: drummer Oliver Fokin, bassist Jukka-Pekka Miettinen and vocalist Jari Mäenpää (later known for his work on Wintersun). This was not the end of the world for the kind of warriors that Ensiferum and its mastermind Markus are, they just took along new, excellent members to replace these sudden gaps in their lineup. Aboard stepped bassist / vocalist Sami Hinkka, drummer Janne Parviainen (also known for his work on Waltari and Barathrum), and vocalist / guitarist Petri Lindroos.
