Wolfhorde is a Folk Metal band from Finland. The theme of Towards The Gates of North supposedly takes us on a “Nordic journey from the beginning of the end...beyond the gates, unspoiled by the reach of men...Instead of telling stories of great heroes fighting battles in a fantasy land, the story behind Towards The Gates of North is a more down to earth and unscrupulous…[telling] sad and gruesome stories about the end of the world in the viking heritage and mythology.

Clearly there is some pretty heavy Ensiferum worship here. But hey, I love me some Ensiferum. Expect the same mixture of folk instrumentation with heroic-sounding melodic death metal riffs. After a scene-setting atmospheric intro, “Fimbulvetr” leads the charge with pounding double bass drums, chugging rhythm guitars, and neoclassical leads. All the while, a chorus of synthesizers maintains an air of historical significance.

Flutes, acoustic instruments, and other fun arrangements (jaw harp is a must) really add so much to the overall sound. Tracks like “Taivaankappaleiden Kato” and "Lycomania" really take me back to the glory days of this particular style of folk metal with the now routine additions of backup chanting and soaring melodrama. But while the competition-and even some of the remaining forerunners-often sound tired to me, Wolfhorde bring the key ingredient that determines whether the formula will work: energy.

Verily, these 3 (just 3?!) musicians really bring it in that department. The compositions are rock solid, but it’s just how much fun they bring to the table that keeps my horns raised high in the air. And with a band name like that, should we expect any less. I waited pretty much all of 2015 like this, and with a roster of releases like Svartsot, Manegarm, and even the almighty Ensiferum all coming out...I was still left pretty nonplussed. They were decent with a highlight here and there (can’t say enough about “Two of Spades), but it was not until this first release of 2016 that my expectations were truly met. Well done Wolfhorde, may the mead flow ever forth and you die heroically in battle before your moon waxes and wanes. Album comes out tomorrow (1/22/16).