Kicking the year off in fantastic style Ensiferum released their brand new album One Man Army. Having toured all over since it’s release the band began to hit up the festival circuit leading us to a warm Sunday afternoon where the band would be performing at UK Bloodstock Festival. Before their fitting brutal slot at the festival, we were able to speak to drummer Janne about what the band had been up since the release of the new album, why there has mostly always been a progressive epic as the final track and what Ensiferum have their sights set on.

I have noticed that you have longer songs on the end of the albums, is that something that plan out?

Usually we haven’t really planned to do that long songs but sometimes you just realised when the song starts to build up, ok it’s going to be a long one! In the early stages you don’t even really know how long its going to be but when you add parts and it grows and you suddenly realise oh fuck! It’s pretty long!

That’s good though, it’s a motion of evolution.

Of course I think it’s a lot of fun to do different kinds of songs you can do a shorter a more simpler and also more proggy.

Do you take inspiration from Finnish folk lore?

Yeah yeah! Marcus has I think always listened to that kind of Finnish folk kind of stuff.

It’s quite a big influence for you?

Yeah of course!

What about musical influences?

I think that everybody in the band brings their own influences and what they have listened to during the years so it all tends to blend.

What has Ensiferum been up to earlier in the year?

A lot of touring, the album came out in February straight after the release we played some shows in Finland then we did the European tour. Then we had a couple of shows in Russia and then in May we toured in North America and since that we have been doing summer festivals, so pretty busy!

Listen to the unedited interview below to hear the full chat where we speak about the recording process behind the band’s new record One Man Army and many others.

Ensiferum’s brand new album One Man Army is out now via Metal Blade.