Vapula

Emperor-[Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk]-1997

Whereas Emperors debut poured sorrow from every measure, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk takes a more regal stance by adding a classical influence to the keyboard lines (the album was recorded in the Memorial Hall of Grieg). Not only is the music more complex, it's also a bit more varied and accessible; the vocals don't rely exclusively on death metal's throaty growling and sometimes match the band's scattered passages of melodicism. Less sorrowful than In the Nightside Eclipse, Emperr's bleak...

Earth Crisis-[Destory the Machines]-1995

Focused and extremely heavy, Destroy the Machines represented a huge leap forward in the recording career of Earth Crisis. Released in 1995, this full-length debut from the band is the all-time best-selling disc in the Victory Records catalog, and with good reason. After recording a few successful but relatively tame 7" EPs, Earth Crisis really shook the world of hardcore with this punchy collection of metallic straight edge fury. Displaying a rare talent for the development of original yet...

Ensiferum -[Victory Songs]-2007

Quite often, bands that are described as melodic death metal are not genuinely melodic. At the Gates, Age of Ruin, and In Flames are examples of genuinely melodic contributors to death metal, but in many cases, the word melodic has been applied to death metallers who -- truth be told -- treat melody like a mere afterthought and favor brutality for the sake of brutality. Thus, it is important to stress that melody is never an afterthought on Ensiferums Victory Songs; it is a crucial part of what...

Ensiferum -[From Afar]-2009

From Afar is the fourth studio album by the Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum. It was released on September 9, 2009 on Spinefarm Records. The album was produced by Nightwish producer Tero Kinnunen and Victory Songs producer Janne Joutsenniemi. It was mixed by HIM producer Hiili Hiilesmaa. The limited edition of the album includes a cover of Swedish folk rock group...

Ensiferum -[Iron]-2001

2001 was just about to become history when I received this cd in the mail. It was three days before 2002 and I found myself on an airplane home to spend the New Year. The plane had just taxied off the runway as I placed Ensiferum's debut self-titled album in my cd player. I had not heard much about this young Finnish band before I had ordered the CD but was told, since I like Moonsorrow and Finntroll, I would eat this cd up for breakfast lunch and dinner. Well, I am still eating it and it...