Ensiferum was formed by Guitarist Markus Toivonen in 1995. Markus discovered the word "Ensiferum" in a latin dictionary when looking for a band name, the word and meaning was perfect for the band he aimed to create.
The band recorded their first Demo in 1997, which sold almost 300 copies in the first year.
The band then went on to record a 2nd demo in 1999, which Ensiferum narrowly missed a record deal from. The band then recorded a 3rd demo in 1999. This consisted of 5 tracks & was branded with the newer band logo.
Once Spinefarm records got hold of the demo in 2000, they began to negotiate a record deal with the band.
The band recorded the debut album in November 2000 & had it mixed by spring 2001. The album was released in July receiving tremendous feedback.
To record "Iron" Ensiferum travelled all the way to Copenhagen's Sweet Silence studios in the summer of 2003. The band did this for the famed producer Flemming Rasmussen, who has in the past recorded and produced such albums as Metallica's "Master of Puppets" and "Ride the Lightning". "Iron" was then recorded, produced and mixed by him.
Ensiferum then went on to record the 2006 EP "Dragonheads" with new vocalist Petri Lindroos of Norther.
Keyboard player Meiju Enho left the band inSeptember 2007 and was replaced by session keyboard player Emmi Silvennoinen, until she was inducted as a full member in 2009.
The first Live DVD was released in the summer of 2006, having been recorded on the band's 10th Anniversary (December 31st 2005)
"Victory Songs" was released on Spinefarm Records in April 2007.
The new album "From Afar" is scheduled for release 09/09/09 (depending on the release dates of countries).
NEW ALBUM - released 09/09/09
01. By The Dividing Stream
02. From Afar
03. Twilight Tavern
04. Heathen Throne
05. Elusive Reaches
06. Stone Cold Metal
07. Smoking Ruins
08. Tumman Virran Taa
09. The Longest Journey (Heathen Throne Part II)
10. Vandraren (limited-edition bonus track; NORDMAN cover)
Thanks For The Add! Fans Check Us Out! Free E.P On The Way And We're Looking For Collaborators Contact Us For Details and Facebook [Search ' VETR ']
Vetr is the personified Season of Winter
In the stanza 26 of the Poetic Edda poem Vafþrúðnismál, the god Odin (disguised as "Gagnráðr") asks the jötunn Vafþrúðnir from where warm Sumarr and Vetr come from, stating that they arrived "first among the Wise powers". In stanza 27, Vafþrúðnir responds:
Vindsvalr he is called, Vetr's father, and Svásuðr, the father of Sumarr.
And both of these shall ever be Till the gods to destruction go.
Man you guys tore it up in Santa Ana! That was only the second time me we saw you guys, and after the Twilight of the Thunder God Tour, we were all lookin forward to see you headline a show. And you guys delivered! DA-DADADA DA-DADADA!!!!!! Can't wait 'til next time!