Ready for some cheeky power metal? This week it’s Iceland’s own Power Paladin, shredding out Sword Vigor. Apparently they used to just be called Paladin, then the pandemic™ happened and they became POWER PALADIN! I bet they know Björk. Maybe she’s featured in other songs. That would rule.

Much like most power metal, there’s some big guitar hooks before the rest of the band dives in. The hook is catchy as hell. Their vocalist is solid, transitioning from staccato verses to soaring choruses with ease. I think there’s even a baby key change before the solo, so this song has it all! The epic solo halfway through gets the added bonus of some keyboard, or they actually have someone playing a harpsichord in the band. Wouldn’t put it past a power metal band to get a harpsichord or zither up in there. The song is pretty paint by the numbers epic power metal track, but they do a great job of it so I look forward to more Power Paladin!

The video highlights the Power Paladins doing their regular day to day, I guess? Turns out they have a carpool and one of them vapes a ton. Oh and one of them is wicked passed out in the car. That can’t be healthy. And I guess they hate the vikings. LUTE SOLO! I know it’s guitar but the Power Paladin playing on a lute in the video is great. Then they beat the pie out of a goblin. Those Power Paladins sure are good at paladin’ around. And then they rip off in their sedan. This video gives a lot of the same goofy vibes I saw from Red Fang, and that’s fantastic.