For more complete photo display visit: https://helpalongyourway.blogspot.com/2026/07/ensiferum-march-21-2025-granada-theater.html
I texted everyone I could think of that might have an interest. I learned it’s good to go with a buddy in case the pit gets too crazy and you need a guard for your backside so you can snag photos. My texts and messages fell on deaf ears. I decided to go it alone. It worked out for me to attend the concert - thanks to all who made this possible, you know who you are. Kiitos paljon.
Next steps were for me to secure my camera, load my backpack with minimal equipment, including the mini gimbal and my version of a periscope, pack extra batteries, microlight and carry the must have orange “flavored” earplugs. Ready.
Right up to the Concert:
The day of the concert was great. Beautiful weather, an easy going day, and traffic that was moving at full speed in the correct direction towards Granada Theater.
Parking was easily accessible and close in proximity to the venue. The line to enter the venue was filled with metal fans of all sorts and ages. The security personnel were efficient, courteous, helpful and watchful (from the check in line through the entire evening). After I checked in I could hear the tuning up of the first band. It was like hearing engines rev up for the tractor pull, loud, powerful, and busting at the seams with excitement and a smile on my face. Not many things make me smile, but seeing my absolute favorite band of all time puts one big fat smile on this face.
As the earlier bands finished their sets it was time for me to position myself at the foot of the stage chaos. I was there to do a job, photos to the best of my ability. I had clearance for the first three songs then had to clear the way.
As the Ensiferum backdrop unfurled I sensed the energy in the venue reach new heights. The hair on my arms started to stand on the end and my face began to tingle on the outer edges along the jawline, ready for the first notes to land their sonic blow on us - the fans. Adrenaline was like a full blown engine ready to burn off the starting line, ready to snatch those photos. “Just hit and run and get away with film,” as stated by Werner Herzog.
Ensiferum:
Markus Toivonen - guitars, backing vocals
Petri Lindroos - vocals, guitar
Sami Hinkka - bass, clean and harsh vocals
Janne Parviainen - drums
Pekka Montin - keyboards, clean vocals
A portion of my favorites from the live set.
Fatherland - Having studied Finland for 15 years, alongside Sibelius’ “Finlandia,” there is not a song that resounds the strength and self-determination of a people group; more than this one. Knowing the intent of the lyrics; live I just could not help but stand in awe of Finland, its people. The twin guitar harmonies ripped through the airwaves with piercing sonic precision and aggression. The bass and drums intermingled the mid range frequencies and low end sound waves, as the clean vocals and keyboards cut through the venue to deliver the message. “The song of freedom over the thousand lakes.”
Twilight Tavern - This track came to life when the first notes were struck; whether by stick, pick, plucks, or keys. Always a favorite of mine, live or on CD.
Treacherous Gods - The tempo from the first notes took me back years to when I first heard this song. Many times when hearing this track I have visions and dreams of what Finland is like, I see the forests, I smell the snow, I embody the roaring of the bear. This live version brought me closer to experiencing Finland in a surreal teleportation kind of way.
Lai lai hei - There is nothing like a few hundred Texans with a few native Finns in the fandom in the midst of the venue singing in Finnish. The unity was palpable.
The Howl - A thunderous track with no less results in effect on the crowd. Pekka’s clean vocals harmonizing with Markus’ leads is “imPEKKAble.” Janne and Sami pulverize the low end. Add to this the thick rhythm strumming of Petri and harsh vocals crushing the concert hall. At one point the song quietly lulls us to sleep then slams us into oblivion.
Victorious - The gang style vocals lifted the listener to new heights of metal energy. In this day and age heavy, fast, melodic, harsh and clean vocals can rarely adhere to a song, yet Ensiferum does it. Pekka's interlude slices cleanly through the mix for smooth delivery. Sami’s playing was monstrous to behold as we saw influences of Steve Harris and Lemmy. Janne’s lead up to the bridge was spectacular - every hit of the drums and crashes of the cymbals grabbed our attention. Petri stood guard at the front of the stage pulsing the rhythm of the song alongside Markus’ harmonic soloing. Twin guitars of vengeance.
From Afar - I used my periscope technique to capture a glimpse of all the fans. We all were on high alert for this song. The crowd amped up as the band plowed through this classic track. When Petri’s first long winded growls pierced the air, the crowd went berserk. The first stop of the pre-verse Janne’s two cymbal hits put the ground in mosh-mode. Markus’ melodic playing led the swooning crowd to land afar. Sami’s bass rumbled through the forest of sounds amongst all these creatures referred to as Ensiferum fans. Pekka’s rhythmic keyboards resounded the atmosphere of the song and the mood of the night, epic!
Wanderer - Sami introduces the song while Markus conducts the several hundred member choir of fans in front of the stage; leading into Markus’ lead vocals. Petri, Pekka, Janne, and Sami simultaneously floor it to the downbeat sound of the first full band engagement of the track. As the song winds down the path only Ensiferum can craft, we were captivated by the magical euphoria as the band continued playing. The crowd vocals erupted and we all felt at home, as if in some unknown world that only Finns can compose.
Bass Bluesed up intro - Imagine an unforeseen blues jam that segues into In My Sword I Trust - A track to bring down the house. All men on queue played each note to perfection, be that as it may you can hear Sami’s bass rumble through a run, Petri’s pick scrape, Pekka keeps the symphonic section hovering around the riffs that Markus lays out. Janne’s snare calls to order the theme of the day - hit it hard and with precision!
Two Of Spades - Picture Van Halen cross string tapping Sami to Petri’s guitar neck and Patri to Sami’s bass neck. The disco breakdown seals the deal, this is a great song live. Have you ever felt like Tony Manero (John Travolta circa 1977)? 🕺
It was well worth the wait of fourteen years! Each song true to form, the essence, the quality, the impact - it was all there. No signal drops, no uneven sounds, no issues.
The Dust Still Settling:
One year post-concert the dust is still settling on the floor of my mind. The excitement of seeing my favorite “music” team still resonates with my soul producing a long term smile, energy, excitement and authenticity. Heavy, Finnish, Melodic, and Metal. Like the Sampo - epicly Finnish.
Luja tahto vie läpi harmaan kiven.
The February 2011 backdrop:
A flood of memories rushed back as I recalled seeing Ensiferum the first time in concert, part of the Finnish Metal Tour 2 concert series. Southeastern US was plagued with a long stretching ice storm that caused some travel woes for the tour if I am not mistaken. I was mentally pacing for the day to arrive to see if they would play on tour, but especially Ensiferum. The Almighty held back some of the icy weather and the tour fired back up in Fort Worth at Tomcats West. I also had the privilege and honor to interview Sami. After the Ensiferum set, I knew I had to see them again, somehow, somewhere.
Fourteen Years Later:
Since 2011 through the years I checked for Ensiferum tours and those that came nearby, it did not work for me to attend. Fourteen years later I found out Ensiferum would be on tour coming through Dallas, with Korpiklaani. I was determined to make it work. Eteenpäin sanoi mummo lumessa. (https://herfinland.com/famous-finnish-sayings/)
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