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

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)