when they released their first EP Land Of The Setting Sun in 2015. Land Of The Setting Sun was filled with 9 thunderous songs, which involved 5 originals, 2 covers and 2 acoustic versions of the songs, “Pyre” and “So Willingly Desired” which are featured in their heavier form on the sam EP. While unleashing their primitive Viking offering, the band received a fair amount of attention and put themselves on the radar for their “gewyrdelic folk metal”. By the time 2016 rolled around, the band only released the single “Saxon Shore” which left their newly built fan base hungry.
Historical Folk Metal Band ISENMOR Emerges Victorious with Release of Shieldbrother By Tank It’s taken four long years, but Viking Folk Metal band, Isenmore have just released their long-awaited debut album, Shieldbrother. Despite all the setbacks the band has had to endure, they now have the album that their fans have been wanting. “Recording and releasing ‘Shieldbrother’ has been such a huge undertaking, I’m thrilled the day has finally arrived that our fans can hear the result of our efforts,” says drummer David Spencer. “Today we are proud and excited to unleash it into the wild. We hope many brothers and sisters will join our shield wall and drink to glory with us!” Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Isenmor paints picturesque landscapes of historical epic battles and Viking adventures. I can just visualize the intense battle scenes and frantic fighting between two great Viking armies while listening to this ““gewyrdelic folk metal” band. Listening to songs like “Battle Scarred”, “Drinking Glory” and the title track “Shieldbrother,” not to mention the opus 17-minute song, “Sigurd’s Song, I want to raise my sword high and lop off a few heads. Every instrument on this album highly compliments each other and blends together in a cacophony of furious excitement blending perfectly with their brutal vocals. This is just what I would expect from these Viking warriors and their ‘take no prisoners’ songs.
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of Mark Williams and Nicholas Schneider mixed with the strategic guitarwork of Tim Regan and Peter Lesko. Add to that the thunderous melodic drums of David Spencer and the low end thump of bassist Mike Wilson, and you’ve got the basis for one epic battle of sound. Now add to that the keyboards of Jon Lyon and you’ve got a battlefield of sound couple with some slick lush keyboards. Without a doubt, Isenmor are going to be compared alongside with their predecessors, Amon Amarth. Face it, every band that enters this category of music is going to have to deal with the inevitable comparisons of Amon Amarth. Instrumentally the band is right on, but at times the vocals tend to take over, but why not, Isenmor has a story to tell in every song. If you’re into the whole Viking Metal Music Scene, then you’re going to be wielding your sword up high and singing along with these metal maniacs.
As we said before, this album has been a long time coming. Isenmore first hit the scene back in 2014 with their 4-song demo, which they released independently. Few people really heard the Taking center stage are the dark violins band until the following year Rock and Blues International • November 2020
With the release of Shieldbrother, the band is sure to start making waves in the Viking Metal Scene again. I dare to say that this is the album their fans have been waiting for and the band has delivered and conquered. The band takes full responsibility for the mayhem and madness that this album evokes, as they recorded, produced and mixed the album themselves. Dan Swanö of Unisound performed mastering on the album. As with their previous releases, Shieldbrother is independently released. Just a word of warning for all of you out there, Shieldbrother is not for the weak of heart. It will make you want to strap on your helmet and shield and get out there and war and pillage. It will have you screaming at the sky for war. The Vikings Are Back!! ISENMOR is: Peter Lesko (Lead Guitar), Jon Lyon (Keys, Vocals), Tim Regan (Guitar, Vocals), Nicholas Schneider (Violin, Vocals), David Spencer (Drums), Mark Williams (Violin), and Mike Wilson (Bass, Vocals). Tracklist: Battle Scarred Shieldbrother Mount Badon Furor Teutonicus Drink To Glory Kings of the Cold Mountains Wanderlust Sigurd’s Song
