When people think of Melodic Power Metal from Finland, obviously two of the biggest acts that come to mind are STRATOVARIUS and SONATA ARCTICA. ASTRALION are another quintet pumping out that addictive, uplifting Euro Power Metal sound on their debut, self-titled album. Forming in 2011 and containing two ex-OLYMPOS MONS members in vocalist Ian Highhill and bassist Dr. K. Lundell, they also have two musicians from the Thrash band THE ADDICATION in their ranks with drummer Arnold Hackman and guitarist Hank Newman. Keyboardist Thomas Henry rounds out the lineup, so the experience in terms of players and musicianship makes this 11 song record much easier to ingest than the average 'newer' act attempting to breakthrough on this very active scene.

The foundation of ASTRALION's style cements itself in the early to mid-90's Power Metal movement: chord structures that have a touch of that mead hall/ cultural thematic feel, as well as those larger than life choruses that BLIND GUARDIAN, GAMMA RAY, and HELLOWEEN made a staple of their sound. The keyboards certainly have that Finnish meets FREEDOM CALL happy tone - the opening strains of "At the Edge of the World" reminding me at times of "Hunting High and Low" from STRATOVARIUS. Of course you'll get the prototypical speed numbers featuring guitar/keyboard synchronized arpeggio-like runs as the double bass cruises and the vocals hit ultimate bird call highs - "When Death Comes Knocking" and "Five Fallen Angels" textbook Power Metal 101 arrangements that should go down a storm.

Beyond the mid-tempo 'ode to what we love about the genre at hand number "We All Made Metal;" I also enjoyed the theatrical/ semi-Symphonic nature of the dramatic "Computerized Love" as well as the 13 minute epic closer "Last Man on Deck" that opens in ballad form before picking up the Neo-Classical pace and giving Hank and Thomas ample solo break / 'can you top this' moments. Ian may not tickle all the right notes vocally at times, but his passion and personality makes up for any small deficiencies. I come away every time singing the chorus to "Mysterious & Victorious", and isn't that half the battle in winning over consumers in this style?

ASTRALION are off to a high quality start, so those who miss the 1990's style of Power Metal would be wise to scoop this up.