They have distanced themselves from other folk metal bands, emphasising that their music is pagan and spiritual and is challenging for its listeners, rather than happy or danceable.

[4] The group's earliest formation consisted of cousins Ville Sorvali (vocals and bass) and Henri Sorvali (guitar and keyboards; also keyboards for Finntroll, Barathrum, and session member of Ensiferum) who released various demos that were much more characteristic of melodic black metal than future releases.

[citation needed] After recruiting Mitja Harvilahti and Markus Eurén, Moonsorrow started playing live, releasing Voimasta Ja Kunniasta ("Of Strength and Honour") in late 2001.

On 19 June it was revealed that the upcoming album would feature guest vocals by Thomas Väänänen, the former vocalist of Thyrfing; Viides Luku - Hävitetty ("Chapter five - Ravaged") was released in January 2007.

The band commented: "We are thrilled to start working with Century Media, a label that is home to many fellow artists already!

We never make our music half way or with compromises and we know our art is in good hands with people who have the same mentality in running a record label.

In June 2013, the band announced a vinyl box set of its collected works to be released through Blood Music.

(The same label's forthcoming box set for the Norwegian black metal band Emperor is intended to outstrip it in size.)