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Break out the keytar and the double-kick bass drum pedal because Sweden’s New Horizon, a band formed in 2020, plays power metal like it is the year 2000. Their debut album, Gate of the Gods, has all the hallmarks of late 20th/early 21st century power metal from 16th-note drums, sweet keyboard melodies, guitars pumping out major chord riffs and choruses that stick to your eardrums like glue. If you’re even casually aware of Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Vision Divine, etc., etc. New Horizon’s music will sound familiar, but their songwriting is quite good and the exuberance with which they play pushes any concerns about being generic or derivative to the back burner. Songs like "Stardust" and "Stronger than Steel" will be manna from heaven for the power metal fans who will no doubt tap whatever happens to be nearby (table, steering wheel, another person) in time with the drums while belting out the chorus. The album ends on a high note with the title track which features a slower tempo and moodier atmosphere with a hint of Middle Eastern flavor and reminded me of something from Kamelot’s The Black Halo, right down to the singer channeling a little bit of Khan’s delivery. Once again, there’s nothing original on Gate of the Gods, but if really dig turn of the century power metal, picking it up is a no-brainer.