Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM have set From Afar as the title of their fourth album, slated for a US release on September 8, 2009 (September 9th for the rest of the world) via Spinefarm Records. The CD was produced by Tero Kinnunen (Nightwish, Amorphis) and Janne Joutsenniemi, who produced the band’s previous offering, Victory Songs and mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, Sentenced, Amorphis). The band will embark on a European headlining tour in support of From Afar in October with a return to the states to follow shortly thereafter.
From Afar Track Listing:
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)
After entering the studio for the first time in the latter part of the ’90s, ENSIFERUM – Latin for “Sword Bearer” – has consistently sharpened its sound, dispensing epic music heavy in both atmosphere and attack. With their most recent opus Victory Songs, which will be reissued by Spinefarm Records with  US exclusive bonus material on October 13, 2009, ENSIFERUM took “Folk/Viking melodic metal” to a new level of grandeur. Metal Maniacs called Victory Songs, “the kind of metal for which the beer Steiner was invented. Catchy in spite of its heaviness, it’s yet another quality offering in a genre that everyone would love if only they’d embrace the Pagan within.” Earning a 4/5 rating, About.com called the record “a distinctive and very appealing sound,” with Decibel adding “… it’s pretty amazing to hear a twee little jig of an intro segue into a blast beat.” ENSIFERUM had its first two albums – 2001’s Ensiferum and 2004’s Iron – officially released for the very first time in the US last spring via Spinefarm Records. Both albums contain exclusive bonus material.

The band is currently on the road on the 2009 North American edition of the Summer Slaughter Tour with Necrophagist, Suffocation and Darkest Hour, among others.
Summer Slaughter Tour 2009
7/06/2009 The Whisky – Calgary, AB
7/07/2009 The Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA
7/09/2009 First Ave – Minneapolis, MN
7/10/2009 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
7/11/2009 Dirtfest – Birch Run, MI
7/12/2009 Phantasy Concert Club – Cleveland, OH
7/13/2009 House of Blues – Chicago, IL
7/14/2009 Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH
7/15/2009 Sound Academy – Toronto, ON
7/16/2009 Medley – Montreal, QC
7/17/2009 Northern Lights – Albany, NY
7/18/2009 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
7/19/2009 Irving Plaza – New York, NY
7/20/2009 Irving Plaza – New York, NY

http://www.ensiferum.com
http://www.myspace.com/officialensiferum
http://www.myspace.com/spinefarmrecordsus