I don’t have much background on this band nor have I heard their first self-titled CD so I guess I can be considered a bit of a newbie as far as this band goes. I do know that they are from Sweden and that this album was engineered and mixed by Andy LaRocque. I also know that I am not the biggest power metal fan in the world so this review may be a little stilted.

To be honest I wasn’t looking forward to reviewing this one as most power metal vocals REALLY get on my nerves. I was a bit surprised by “Chapters from a Vale Forlorn” though because the vocalist didn’t do the god-awful stereotypical screams that seem to make up the majority of power metal on the market today. The vocals, although very clean and melodic, are much more masculine than most and actually seem to convey some *gasp* power to them. Musically it’s pretty much standard heavy metal but it does a pretty damn good job at conveying the medieval theme and imagery suggested by the lyrics and song titles. I think this album would really go over well at a medieval festival or a jousting event. If I was to compare this to anything I’d have to go with a metal version of Jethro Tull!

I would have no problem recommending this to fans of the genre although some might be a bit turned off by the lack of “True Metal Screams”. Check this sucker out if you’re either a power metal fan or a Jethro Tull fan looking for something a bit heavier. This is one power metal/true metal CD that’s going to get repeated playback in my stereo.

01 Decadence of Dignity
02 Enter the Glade
03 Lament of a Minstrel
04 For Life and Liberty
05 We Sold Our Homesteads
06 The Clarion Call
07 Portals of Light
08 Stand in Veneration
09 Busted to the Floor
(Metal Blade) Rating: 7 /10