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Quite why Finnish metallers Gladenfold haven't released a full-length yet is beyond me. They are certainly capable, as their third independent EP attests. Unlike most Power Metal bands, Gladenfold feature both clean and aggressive vocals, both performed by guitarist Esko Itala. The approach does tip their sound towards that of Norther or Boleros, but the soaring choruses more than make up for that. During these moments, we are in pure Excalion territory, and the hooks crafted here are sharp enough to hang up every garment you own. Though only three tracks long, Tales from Worlds Afar is a deep, melancholic trip through snowy wastelands, fantastical fields, and long forgotten realms. Complete with dense keyboards, medieval orchestration, and a nod or two towards Dragonland, "The Last Defender" and "Running Against Time" are superb slices of genre gold, while the band try their hand at something a little darker with closer "Veil Of Deceit".

There is more here than your average Rhapsody clone, and I could see Gladenfold going far. They just need a decent label to pick them out of obscurity.