In 2027, Ensiferum will be performing special “The Early Years” shows together with founding member Jari Mäenpää. Jari, now best known for Wintersun, will return to the band for the first time since 2004. The setlists for these special shows will feature material from Ensiferum’s first three studio albums: Ensiferum (2001), Iron (2004), and Victory Songs (2007). This is a return to the band’s early years, when Ensiferum was laying the foundations of the folk metal genre. “This is more than a show — this is a return to the roots. To the energy and vision that started it all!”— Ensiferum
Jari Mäenpää is a Finnish musician, composer, and founding member of Ensiferum. He was the band’s vocalist and guitarist on its first two albums, Ensiferum (2001) and Iron (2004), before founding Wintersun, which established his position at the forefront of metal music. “I’m excited and honored to be joining Ensiferum for these very special ‘Early Years’ live shows! After more than 20 years, I’ll be performing with Ensiferum again. I can’t wait to sing these classic songs with you all. See you there!” — Jari Mäenpää
Ensiferum is one of Finland’s most internationally renowned metal bands. The group’s latest and ninth studio album, Winter Storm, was released in October 2024 via Metal Blade Records. On the album, Ensiferum continues its journey through melodic death metal and folk metal influences while incorporating more symphonic and epic elements than ever before.
The songs on the album were composed by guitarist Markus Toivonen, while the lyrics are based on an unpublished fantasy book written by bassist Sami Hinkka. The album was produced by Janne Joutsenniemi, with mixing and mastering handled by Jens Bogren, known for his work with Arch Enemy, Amorphis, and Opeth, among others. Winter Storm has received acclaim from both critics and fans alike, and its success has propelled Ensiferum onto an extensive world tour.
Over the years, Ensiferum has firmly established its position on the international metal scene. The band’s 2020 album Thalassic reached number one on the Official Finnish Albums Chart and climbed all the way to number three on the Official German Albums Chart — an achievement reached by only a handful of Finnish bands.
- Petri Lindroos – vocals, guitar
- Markus Toivonen – guitar, vocals
- Sami Hinkka – bass, vocals
- Janne Parviainen – drums
- Pekka Montin – keyboards, vocals
