On the face of it, Swedish power metallers Kardinal Sin don’t offer a whole lot of variation on the basic template of their chosen genre with new album S.A.L.I.G.I.A.

That’s not to say that the album isn’t a good one, merely an observation that long term fans of the genre will find they rub along comfortably with tracks like The Aftermath (Wasteland Symphony Pt.3) from the get-go without too much discombobulation. That maybe because the track’s melody sounds a little like Future World by Helloween, maybe… I wouldn’t like to say… but you get my drift. There’s a feeling of familiarity to some of the material here that will immediately set you at ease if you enjoy this style of music. Similarly, if you aren’t a fan of Euro power metal, there probably isn’t anything within the grooves of S.A.L.I.G.I.A. that will change your mind.

So, with the bad stuff dealt with and the unbelievers turned away at the door, what is here for the rest of us? Well, the first thing to note are the stellar keyboard contributions of Thomas Geson, a man who clearly thinks carefully about his work. That thought pays dividends repeatedly throughout the album, as Geson uses a variety of unexpected textures and tones that really catch the ear. His orchestrated approach on The Siege of Jerusalem is particularly enjoyable.

Similarly impressive is the vocal performance of Danne Wikerman; on the aforementioned …Jerusalem he meshes with guest vocalist Ellinor ‘Hellinor’ Asp (The Project Hate MCMXCIX) in superb fashion. So superb in fact that it’ll probably send goosebumps shooting up and down your spine. Asp is a quite superb vocalist, but Wikerman loses nothing in the exchange, and his performances on the album’s other two standout cuts, Reveal The Sinners Soul and The Velvet Lies, are equally impressive.

Sophie Conte and now-departed (I think) axe partner Joakim “Jocke” Vähätalo work well together without flashiness but with maximum solidity; Indeed solidity is a hallmark of a lot of the material here, but when the band really go for broke – as they do on the tracks I’ve highlighted – they really carry the look – and, more importantly the sound – of cast-iron contenders.

S.A.L.I.G.I.A. releases on March 3rd.