Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The name is Latin (ensiferum, meaning “sword bearing”). The members describe their style as “melodic folk metal”. The band has released nine studio albums. Ensiferum was founded in 1995 by guitarist Markus Toivonen, bassist Sauli Savolainen and drummer Kimmo Miettinen. In 1996, Jari Mäenpää joined as vocalist and second guitarist. The band released its first demo in 1997, containing three songs. In 1998, Savolainen and Miettinen left and were replaced by Jukka-Pekka Miettinen and Oliver Fokin. In 1999, a second demo was recorded, followed by a third demo, “Hero in a Dream”, which led to a record deal with Spinefarm Records.