Album review: FREEDOM CALL – Master Of Light

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 18.11.16]

Freedom Call are back with an all new studio album – last year’s ’666 Weeks Beyond Eternity’ was a re-issue of their ‘Eternity’ album with extra live tracks and one new song. I was thinking after listening to this album and indeed Freedom Call’s early albums, they could have their own sub genre, happy metal. The rousing, often choral like choruses, the fast paced melodic music and uplifting lyrics can’t help but put a smile on your face.

There are some instant power metal anthems on here ‘Like Metal Is For Everyone’, complete with Chris Bay doing some Rob Halford approved screams on the chorus. ‘High Up’ is insanely catchy, as the vocal refrain of ‘high up’ keeps building throughout the song. This is the sort of song Freedom Call excel at and even the most curmudgeonly metal fan would have to agree this left them in a happier mood.

There are some slower numbers as you’d expect including ‘Cradle Of Angels’ and the rousing chorus again sweeps the listener along. The lyrics mix their love of swords and sorcery, plus their undying love of all things metal as ‘Rock The Nation’ confirms. Another feel good song.

Freedom Call fans will be pleased with this album as it harks back to their earlier albums and keeps the commercial melodic metal sound of their more recent work. All hail the kings of happy metal Freedom Call! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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)