If Iceland shines for its death metal bands, power metal fans are much rarer there. Power Paladin even seems to be the only representative of this genre on the archipelago. The sextet releases its first album entitled "With The Magic Of Windtyre Steel".
The artwork, the name of the band and the themes are clearly kitsch and remind the universe of video games or heroic fantasy. The band has even placed a wink that only the geeks will notice at the end of a track.
On the musical side, no secrets, the style is direct, very melodic and unequivocal: pure power metal with its share of sharp riffs ('Dark Crystal'), a dynamic rhythmic, a high and powerful vocal, all in control. For lack of originality, Vikings show their skill by integrating the codes of the biggest names of the genre. Thus, the most energetic tracks at the beginning of the album are close of the Germans of Blind Guardian or Axxis, while the less speedy and heavier passages can remind Rhapsody or Edguy.
The production is perfectly balanced and highlights each of the six instruments bringing a nice round sound essential to this genre. It should be noted that the melodic and technical mastery of the protagonists is excellent and particularly that of the two guitarists who offer us great solos ('Creatures Of The Night', 'Kraven The Hunter'), sharp rhythmics and Celtic and acoustic effects ('Righteous Fury') of the best effect.
In a style where nobody invents anything since several years, Power Paladin seems to take a place of choice. The Icelanders integrate marvelously their different influences and combine to an impeccable realization an interesting variety and melodic and percussive compositions which make their very first album "With The Magic Of Windfyre Steel" one of the most promising of the genre for a long time. An album to listen to carefully and a band to follow closely.