I am not overly familiar with Iceland’s music scene.  I know some quality death metal bands and maybe 1 or 2 black metal bands, but for the most part that country is not swarming with a gigantic scene, as far as I know.  As for power metal, unless I saw Power Paladin were from Iceland, I would have had them pegged from Germany, quite honestly.

With the Magic of Windfyre Steel is the band’s first release and about the length one would come to expect from this type of music.  9 songs in 50 minutes.  The cartoonish medieval album cover literally screams power metal mayhem from the album cover.  Just take a look at.  I’m totally digging on the album cover and luckily the music backs it up as well.

“Kraven the Hunter” starts off with an outstanding and epic guitar opening, which sweeps in, and is so damn catchy.  Equipped with a glorious chorus, with some extra tracked vocals to provide background, for the chorus.  I swear this chorus is way too catchy for its own good.  Excellent guitar solos, and at the 3.30 mark they’re pretty damn fast-great shredding going on, then some acoustic moments over the rhythm section.  That part took me off guard, but it works well.  The music for the song’s duration is mid-paced and this is a nice opening song.

The speed is exponentially picked up with track #2, “Righteous Fury”.  This song screams classic German power metal, from the 80’s-yes I am looking at you Scanner!!  The fast galloping pace starts immediately with punishing and great-sounding double bass drums, as the catchy chorus flies right in, like an eagle grabbing its next meal.  There are some lower register vocals, getting into more of a death metal growly tone, and I am unsure if it’s an effect used, kind of like a deeper narrating type of sing songy vocal style.  It works!  The guitar shredding continues as the swirling solos start running circles around you and circle pits everywhere.  The chorus is beyond catchy-it will be stuck in your head for weeks-just watch.  Prove me wrong.

Another band these guys remind me of is Pathfinder from Poland.  Not as symphonic, nor as fast-Pathfinder is power metal with blast beats-check them out, long overdue for a third album too.  Anyway, Power Paladin, has a strong footing in traditional metal, which is clearly evident with “Evermore”.  An epic metal track, with more soaring vocals and the over-the-top power metal vocals, which is one of the most endearing elements in power metal but then is topped by “Way of Kings”.  Listen to those highs on the chorus.  Super catchy, with very fast guitar picking.  The vocal highs get into a little bit of the shrill style.  Make sure you’re listening to this song with your AirPods in order for the vocals to pierce your eardrums and make you lose your balance and collapse onto the floor.  Do they fall into the “cheesy” moments?…hmmmm, not completely, but if you’re not accepting of cheese while listening to power metal, than take your ball and go home now.

“Ride the Distant Storm” begins with some fast guitar riffing and opening epic drums and then right into the speeeeeed part.  Galloping along, taking no prisoners, and having an early Helloween flair to the style.  This track is a complete ripper!  The song eventually slows down and then the varying speeds are incorporated once again.  “Into the Forbidden Forest” is the longest song at over 7 minutes and has some extraordinary speedy and catchy passages.  The fast double bass sounding like it’s going to collapse chest cavities from here to the local candy store.  I can hear some Maiden influences as well, so that’s a big bonus in my book.  This song is epic and is the perfect introduction to their sound.

Power Paladin’s With the Magic of Windfyre Steel is a dazzling display of epic power metal, traditional metal with smatterings of speed metal splashed across a warrior’s chest.  The production is excellent, the album cover is great and all the songs and lyrics come together in a way as to tell a story, centering around the album cover’s imagery.  I love this album and cannot get enough of this.  If you’re a power metal nut like me-go and support this band now!

 

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