Finnish folk metal mainstays Ensiferum are heading back to North America this fall with the Winter Storm Over North America 2026 tour, kicking off in September. Joining them on the run is Firewind, led by guitarist Gus G, widely recognized for his time playing with Ozzy Osbourne.
The tour kicks off on September 9 at ProgPower USA XXV and wraps up a few weeks later on September 27 at the El Corazon in Seattle, WA. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. local time.
The tour continues the push behind Winter Storm, released in October 2024 via Metal Blade Records. The album took shape during the COVID lockdown, when founding guitarist Markus Toivonen focused on expanding his songwriting approach. He handled nearly all the material, with bassist Sami Hinkka contributing the track “Fatherland”.
Vocalist and keyboardist Pekka Montin continues to play a key role in the band’s evolving sound. After making an impression on Thalassic, his range is more fully integrated on Winter Storm, which follows a fantasy-driven concept written by Hinkka. The record leans into a more expansive and melodic direction without losing the band’s core edge.
Production on Winter Storm was handled by Janne Joutsenniemi, with mixing and mastering by Jens Bogren. The album also features guest spots from Lassi Logrén on nyckelharpa and violin, Mikko Mustonen on orchestration, and Eleine vocalist Madeleine Liljestam, who appears on “Scars In My Heart”.
