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I admit being surprised when a band called Hrom blasted me with heavy/power metal on their third album, Legends of Powerheart: Part II. I hadn't looked at the album title and based on the band name I was expecting some black metal. That'll teach me to judge a book by its cover. Anyway, this band plays fast heavy metal with plenty of catchy choruses and an epic slant to the lyrics. They have a definite Labyrinth vibe on tracks like "Stargunner" and "Ethereal Travel" where the speed and melodies blend seamlessly and really get the blood pumping. When they slow it down a bit and go a tad more esoteric with the lyrics, like on "Enchanter" or "Seers Trial", the singer lets loose with a spot-on early Queensrÿche vocal line. He sometimes sounds out of his depth (the opening scream on "Ethereal Travel," for instance) but for the most part he's got a strong delivery and enough charisma to make the choruses stick in your head. Hrom should fit into your rotation nicely if bands like Tentation, Glacier, Liege Lord and others are featured prominently.