Vandor – The Ember Eye Part 2: The Portal Of Truth

Vandor
The Ember Eye Part 2: The Portal Of Truth
Label: DragonForged Records
Out: 30^th January 2026
Playing time: 42:54

Vandor are a Power Metal band from the Swedish metropolis of Gothenburg and were founded in 2015. Their debut album ‘In The Land Of Vandor’ was released in 2019. Just two years later, ‘On A Moonlit Night’ followed. I wasn’t really convinced by the album. In addition, a number of singles were released. ‘The Ember Eye Part 2: The Portal Of Truth’ has been available in record shops since the end of January. ‘The Ember Eye Part 2:’? I couldn’t find a first part in the band’s discography. How this album title came about remains a secret of the Swedes for now.

The album kicks off with the previously released single ‘Turn To The Light’. Some reviewers describe it as a melancholic start. I can’t really agree with that. The drumming sets a fast pace. And guitarist Vide Bjerde’s powerful vocals are anything but melancholic. But everyone hears different nuances and interprets the music differently. ‘Another Life’ immediately follows as the first anthem. Here, too, the tempo is fast at times. The polyphonic vocals are particularly impressive. And, of course, the guitar solo in ‘duet’ with the keyboards. ‘Why Do I Remember Me’ is driven by double bass attacks accompanied by synths. These also briefly introduce the next anthem, ‘Portal Of Truth’, and are present again and again later on. On ‘Disease’, second guitarist Jack L. Stroem takes over the vocals. This is a real power metal banger, in which drummer Viktor Hakan really drives his bandmates forward. The instrumental piece ‘The Unhinged Shadow’ is initially characterised by the drumming and, a little later, by the choruses. Later, guitars and synths alternate in the melody. Before the anthem ‘Last One Of My Kind’ takes the sound back into more epic realms. Jack L. Stroem takes over the lead vocals for a second time. With its synth-dominated intro and calm vocals, ‘Further From The Light’ initially sounds like a contemplative ballad. But this is only an interlude, a transition to the next Metal anthem, ‘One With The Night’. And then, at the very end, comes the majestic power ballad ‘Storm In My Heart’, introduced by the rumbling of thunder, with beautiful musical harmonies and a magnificent organ passage.

Three additional songs are included on the CD as exclusive bonuses. However, the ten tracks I have access to are a highlight of melodic Power Metal. All of the regular songs have hit potential and are complemented very well by instrumental pieces and interludes. This is a significant improvement over its predecessor, especially in terms of vocals.

Vandor – Turn To The Light: https://youtu.be/6snWy0qhntE?si=IG1w7XJo5WFB4U77

Lineup:

Vide Bjerde – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Alve Bjerde – Bass, Backing Vocals
Jack L. Stroem – Lead Guitar, backing vocals, Lead Vocals on Disease & Last One of My Kind
Viktor Hakan – Drums
Johannes Skyblazer – Synthesizer

Track list:

• Turn To The Light
• Another Life
• Why Do I Remember Me?
• Portal Of Truth
• Disease
• The Unhinged Shadow
• Last One Of My Kind
• Further From The Light
• One With The Night
• Storm In My Heart