Viking horde takes no prisoners - A review of Ensiferum's "The Live Path"

Ensiferum's The Live Path is a respectable supplement to German metal magazine Legacy that supports Ensiferum's new record Two Paths as well as its tour. This exclusive release comes around with one new studio track as well as four live cuts from two different locations representing three different studio albums.

 The new track "Way of the Warrior" is a typical Ensiferum track. It's energizing, fast and joyous, finding the right balance between raw vocal efforts in the verses and melodic vocal lines in the chorus. The song isn't original by any means and could also come from the band's first album but it's the kind of party tune that still sounds appropriate in your local rock or metal pub. Faithful fans will appreciate the song while new or occasional fans get a perfect example of what Ensiferum is all about.

 The live tracks also underline the fact that Ensiferum is a band that enjoys itself on stage and that transmits this vivid party vibe to the crowd. I have seen this band live a few years ago and it has been a blast. The band's only live record was released more than a decade ago and a new live release is long overdue. None of the four live songs was included on the previous release and the four tracks sound great. They might not impressive with the most balanced sound and technical skills but make you think of a ferocious Viking tribe ready to conquer the crowd without taking any prisoners. The band's authenticity and energy are highly addicting.

 The are only three minor downsides to this release. First of all, the crowd isn't too audible, especially in the odd introduction to "Ahti". Another issue is that the live songs are taken from two different locations which leads to the confusing fact that one song is introduced in English and the other three in Finnish. A continuity error is the fact that the band announces its song "Two of Spades" at the end of "Heathen Horde" before the sound fades out and the band starts to play "In My Sword I Trust" instead. Those who put this EP together should have paid more attention on such little details. Obviously, one might discuss the choice of the four tracks as there are better live tracks than those but the fact that none of those four songs was included on the last live record is enough for me to make this release relevant.

 If you like Ensiferum or folk and pagan metal in general, you should get your hands on The Live Path. The solid new studio track is in the key of classic Ensiferum material and the four exclusive live tracks are very enjoyable. In addition, you get a copy of Germany's best metal magazine and another extreme metal compilation with this release which is a very good deal. This EP offers twenty-three minutes of pure fun, so go ahead and enjoy yourselves!

Final rating: 75%