With the Magic of Windfyre Steel
With the Magic of Windfyre Steel wastes little time establishing Power Paladin's approach. Fast guitars, bright keyboards and high singing move together. Choruses are large and the mood is outgoing. The Icelandic group clearly work within familiar power metal, choosing melodies that make their appeal apparent quickly rather than hiding it behind complicated arrangements.
Kraven the Hunter opens convincingly through the relationship between harmonising guitars and Atli Guðlaugsson's high voice. Melodies carry sufficient force to stay memorable above the rapid rhythms. Righteous Fury increases the speed further while Evermore's subtler keyboards introduce another colour. The band consequently offer more than a constantly high tempo, giving melody several ways to claim attention.
Dark Crystal reveals a harder, more thrash-oriented side. Guitars gain additional edge without removing the melodic foundation. Into the Forbidden Forest instead creates room for a more expansive interlude. Such departures help because they give the familiar approach some individual movement. Differences in emphasis become useful without requiring a completely different style of song.
Way of Kings introduces a less hurried pulse. Its firmer groove demonstrates that the musicians can work convincingly together at a more moderate pace too. Large melodies do not need to become smaller as a result. The change places fresh emphasis on the faster material around it and supplies room to follow details in the playing.
The record nevertheless stays very close to its models. Choruses and structures begin resembling each other, and longer songs do not always provide enough variety. The highest vocal passages also land unevenly. However, clear guitar melodies and enthusiasm make the strongest tracks worthwhile. Power Paladin change little about the established formula but demonstrate how much enjoyment a capable performance of it can still provide.
