Classic operatic melodic power metal at its absolute best. Don’t believe me, go check it out. Freedom Call’s seventh studio album is as strong as ever, melodic and captivating.
From the outset, it’s less gothic than the previous Shadow King opus, and less thrashy than 2007’s Dimensions, but it does contain strong elements of both. The production has gotten the best of the band, a superb sound.
The title track nods back to The Quest from Crystal Empire, while Warriors has a more tribal sound.
They keyboards add an extra dimension but the emphasis is on the twin guitars, which do have blistering moments, and of course the band’s trademark huge vocal harmonies.
Then there are tracks like Sun In The Dark, which opens in a very heavy crunchy fashion, and has some almost Sabbath like moments mixed with the vocal harmonies – a great feel.
“Hero On The Video” has a mid 80s melody, while Valley Of The Kingdom harks back to the Crystal Empire.
This album explores many things, but is all down with the band’s own style, so it is as varied as it is classic Freedom Call.
Fans will not be disappointed, and if you haven’t heard this band yet this is a great opportunity to figure out why they are so highly acclaimed.
Joe Geesin
Jason Ritchie adds:
Freedom Call are back with another storming album chock full of power metal anthems. The band has undergone a major line-up change since their last album with drummer and co-founding member Dan Zimmermann. In his place comes Primal Fear/Sinner drummer Klaus Sperling.
Those ever so catchy anthems are in evidence – ‘Rockstars’, ’66 warriors’ (playedon last year’s UK dates) and ‘Power & Glory’. The band adds some 80’s metal flavour with the superb ‘Hero On Video’ – this gives Brother Firetribe a run for their money! Nice to see some keys creep into the band’s sound on this song. There is hardly a duff song in sight (‘Space Legends’ is one to skip though) and Freedom Call again prove to be one of the most consistent and enjoyable power/melodic metal bands around today.
The limited CD version includes six Freedom Call covers by new bands including Neonfly and Secret Sphere.
9 out of 10
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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