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Empyrean Blade is a new band featuring four former members of the now split-up Starborn along with a new singer. I think it was a wise decision to put the Starborn name to bed as Empyrean Blade are less progressive in their approach, instead opting for direct, speedy power metal on their first official release, the single Empyrean Blade. The two songs featured, "Vanquisher" and "Moonlight Sanctuary," are in line with the pedal to the metal style of bands like Traveler, Striker, and even Visigoth. There are some nice guitar tradeoffs between Chris Foley and Sean Atkinson on "Vanquisher" including some tight leads as the song careens along. "Moonlight Sanctuary" is a bit less rambunctious but still moves along at a good clip. Both songs are enjoyable slices of power metal and, while the songwriting shows off the band's skills, it doesn't quite sweep you off your feet yet. As a first release, Empyrean Blade is a loud and fast declaration of intent by a band I expect to make a lot more noise in the future.