Ensiferum Family Tree

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Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Ensiferum are known as a folk metal band but are often heavily rooted in melodic death and even black metal elements. Guitarist and later guitar/vocalist Markus Toivonen has been the main writer in the band since the beginning but other members have also contributed in the writing process and we will cover them as well. Most of Jari’s influences will be listed at the bottom because he was in the band only a short time and I think it would be more appropriate to give his influences their proper due on a Wintersun metal family tree at some point. The current core lineup at the time of writing this consists of Markus (Guitar/vocals), Sami (bass/vocals), Janne (Drums), and Petri (Guitar/ lead vocals). Along with Keyboardist Emmi they all contributed to the writing of One Man Army. In general most writing is done by Markus and Sami does more writing than any other members besides Markus.

The band that started it all, Black Sabbath. Sami is very influenced by Sabbath.

The band that started it all, Black Sabbath. Sami is very influenced by Sabbath.

The Metal Gods, Judas Priest have been writing classic metal songs their whole career. Markus said they are an influence the band.

The Metal Gods, Judas Priest have been writing classic metal songs their whole career. Markus said they are an influence the band.

Folque are a Norwegian folk rock band. Their stuff is hard to find but Markus gave them as a recommendation when asked about best folk albums

Folque are a Norwegian folk rock band. Their stuff is hard to find but Markus gave them as a recommendation when asked about best folk albums

Probably one the most influential metal band over the years, Iron Maiden stood out from the other NWOBHM bands to become something huge. Markus said they are an influence on the band. The was a huge influence on Sami who use to come home from school…

Probably one the most influential metal band over the years, Iron Maiden stood out from the other NWOBHM bands to become something huge. Markus said they are an influence on the band. The was a huge influence on Sami who use to come home from school and play along to Live After Death.

The father’s of thrash metal, Metallica has been a huge influence on many many bands. Both Sami and Jari name them as an influence. Sami is influenced by both Cliff and Jason. Jari said they were the band that really got him into metal. Petri named …

The father’s of thrash metal, Metallica has been a huge influence on many many bands. Both Sami and Jari name them as an influence. Sami is influenced by both Cliff and Jason. Jari said they were the band that really got him into metal. Petri named them as one of his top three favorite bands.

One of the fastest and most aggressive sounding thrash bands, SLAYER! Petri named them as one of his top three favorites.

One of the fastest and most aggressive sounding thrash bands, SLAYER! Petri named them as one of his top three favorites.

Although Megadeth started a bit later than other thrash bands, Dave Mustaine pretty much invented Thrash while in Metallica. Petri and Jari both name them as a influence with Petri naming them in his top three favorites.

Although Megadeth started a bit later than other thrash bands, Dave Mustaine pretty much invented Thrash while in Metallica. Petri and Jari both name them as a influence with Petri naming them in his top three favorites.

Dark Tranquility are pioneers of melodic death metal. Markus, Petri, and Jari named them as an influence. Sami said they are one of his all time favorites.

Dark Tranquility are pioneers of melodic death metal. Markus, Petri, and Jari named them as an influence. Sami said they are one of his all time favorites.

Amorphis has had a variety of sounds over the years that is hard to sum up quickly, but they started as a death/doom band before going to a lighter sound. Markus named them as an influence and Sami is also a fan.

Amorphis has had a variety of sounds over the years that is hard to sum up quickly, but they started as a death/doom band before going to a lighter sound. Markus named them as an influence and Sami is also a fan.

Storm was a a folk/viking metal project featuring a couple members of Darkthrone, Markus named them as an influence.

Storm was a a folk/viking metal project featuring a couple members of Darkthrone, Markus named them as an influence.

Markus and Jari both mention listening to Scandinavian and some Irish and Celtic folk music.

Markus is a fan of Tarujen Saari who’s singer did guest vocals on the song “Tears”.

Markus mentions being a fan of AC/DC, Guns n Roses, and The Cranberries but did name them as an influence.

Jari Mäenpää was guitar/vocals on the first two albums and before. He said during his time in the band he tried to write in the style of the band so not all of his influences show up in the music. As influences he named, Ensiferum, Moonsorrow, Turisus Summoning, and one of his favorites Bal-Saggoth. Metallica (the band that got him into metal), Megadeth Slayer, Pantera, Death, Morbid Angel, Decide, Carcass, old Entombed, Dissection, Emperor, Limbonic Art, Marduk, old Dimmu Borgir, Stratovarius, Skid Row Devin Townsend (vocally), At The Gates, Amorphis, Dark Tranquility, Steve Vai, Y.J. Malmsteen, Johan Sebastian Bach (Toccata), Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata), and Vivaldi (Four Seasons), John Williams and Hanz Zimmer. He said Judas Priest’s Painkiller was the best heavy metal album ever. As a little kid he was into Kiss and W.A.S.P.

Sami has been on bass and been singing clean vocals and contributed to writing including guitar riffs since 2004. He grew up with bands like AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Dio, King Diamond, Bon Jovi, and W.A.S.P. His big brother was a guitar player and taught him a lot about playing. He names Louis Johnson as an incredible slap bass player and picked up some technique from him as well as Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers. He says Steve Harris and Flea are his all time heros.

Meiju Enho played keys on two albums but only has one co-writting credit.

Jukka-Pekka Miettinen played bass on the first two albums but only has co-writing credits on two songs on the third album.

Emmi Silvennoinen played keys from 2009-2016 and contributed to some writing but I’m uncertain of her influences.

Janne is the only drummer with any writing credits with One Man Army being written with the group. I’m uncertain of his influences.

Netta Skog played accordian on the Two Paths album and has some co-writing credits. Her favorite include Nightwish, Lady Gaga, Lindsey Stirling and considers Hanz Zimmer an idol.

Sources:

https://www.terrorverlag.com/interviews/ensiferum-sami-hinkka-markus-toivonen/
http://www.metalstorm.net/pub/interview.php?interview_id=80
https://www.loudersound.com/features/wintersuns-jari-maeenpaeae-the-10-records-that-changed-my-life
https://www.dabelly.com/features/feature376.htm
http://wintersun.50webs.com/entre/into.htm
https://loudwire.com/ensiferum-sami-hinkka-favorite-bass-riffs/
https://www.norsemyth.org/2013/07/interview-with-sami-hinkka-of-ensiferum.html
http://thoriummag.com/interview-ensiferum-2013/
https://crypticrock.com/interview-petri-lindroos-of-ensiferum/#:~:text=What%20are%20some%20of%20your,still%20top%20three%20for%20me.
https://www.gigview.be/interviews/interview-ensiferum-petri-lindroos
https://www.nettaskog.com/about
https://youtu.be/NR-sFhNf3Uc
https://youtu.be/1HE2aPzZIIg