Let me start off this review by telling that I’m a big fan of Moonsorrow. To me they are the definite masters of the Viking metal genre. Their last album “Kivenkantaja” (from 2003) was my favorite album of that year so I’ve been looking forward to their next release greatly ever since. Finally it’s here and it’s their longest and most epic album up to date. Is this a new masterpiece?

With only 5 tracks and a running time of roughly 71 mins you can expect some really long songs. The longest one being 'Jotunheim' clocking in at 19 mins. This album takes many spins to get into, but once you get into it you will love it more and more (assuming you’re a fan of their previous works). The compositions are even more epic than before and the familiar viking sound is still present. The thing I miss most though are the folky and catchy keyboard leads. The keyboards here tend to stay mostly in the background and are not as audible as on Kivenkantaja. But you can always listen to Finntroll if you want to hear more of Trollhorn’s catchy keyboard-work. The songs on "Verisäkeet" show a more aggressive and rawer side of Moonsorrow than before. This is best shown in the ending of 'Karhunkynsi' which feature some chaotic riffs and drumming. Ville’s vocals are also a bit harsher than before and his growls and shrieks sounds very anguished. Just listen to his tortured scream at 3:45 in Jotunheim. Masterful.

Jotunheim is also the very best song of the album. It’s even one of the best songs the band has ever written. This song is very beautiful and incredibly epic. Everything from the folk instruments in the beginning to the mighty Viking choirs later on in the song are just awesome. A true masterpiece. If you are only to listen to one song by Moonsorrow in your life then it should be 'Jotunheim'.

One thing that also has changed from their previous albums is that it’s more inspired by the nature. I used to get the feeling of being in epic battles and wars. Instead, when I’m listening to this album it feels like I’m lost in the middle of a dark forest all by myself. All I can see and hear are the surrounding trees. There are lots of nature-sounds on this album that helps create that atmosphere. Without them the album could easily be shortened down by 5-10 mins. The production is similar to that of “Kivenkantaja” with the exception that the vocals seems a bit drowned in the mix.

With “Verisäkeet” Moonsorrow has proved that they are still the undisputed kings of epic Viking metal. It doesn’t really reach the same heights as “Kivenkantaja” did but it’s still a damn good album. If you are new to Moonsorrow then I don’t recommend you to start with this album. It could be more of a turn-off due to the long-ass songs. If you’re already a fan of the band then you will probably want to get your hands on “Verisäkeet” as soon as possible.

[This review was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]