Since their glorious debut
Stairway To Fairyland, I have been totally hooked on
Freedom Call, so needless to say that yours truly have awaited this album with huge excitement!
The last album
Eternity is my "least favorite" of theirs, not that I think it is bad at all, just a little less exciting than their other stellar releases. A little weaker songs, a bit too much pop keyboard (even for their standards) and other details, makes it just a little bit under average for this band's normal high standard.
According to themselves, the band's aim with this release was to show new sides of their talents. I didn't really expect to hear anything different, to be quite honest. First of all because almost all song titles have been used before by similar bands -not a very innovative signal. Also, bands like
Freedom Call are not exactly known for experimenting a lot. But if you listen carefully, it becomes clear, that the band really wanted to bring in some new elements and the new dimensions are present to the watchful ear. It's not revolutionary in any way, and fans are sure to recognize the well- known
Freedom Call sound at once, just as there are plenty of songs that could have been on any of their previous albums.
The album is more guitar based than it's predecessor, more varied in tempo and drumming, which makes it come across as a more focused "to-the-point" release.
In general,
Freedom Call has chosen to focus more on slower parts and quiet pieces on the album than usual. This is already displayed on the albums first track,
Mother Earth. A calm atmosphere and the usual sugar sweet chorus make for a fine song, and the transparent and layered production makes it possible to point out small details in keyboard, guitars and vocals, if one pays attention.
Carry On is the stereotype of a
Freedom Call song. Centered around the chorus, pretty simple and a real sing-a-long, happy Power Metal song. Though I like the drive and happy vibe of the song, I feel like it never really evolves to a point where it gets really exciting. A good song but nothing amazing.
The midtempo tune
The Rhythm Of Life displays an unusual structure for a
Freedom Call song. It's slow, there's no double bass drumming, but a much more varied drum performance. The guitars are not only used for melody, but more to add a strong, and slightly industrial inspired, groove to the song. Singer
Chris Bay uses his voice in both a lower, almost speaking way, as well as the usual highpitch. Of course - this is
Freedom Call, after all - there's a big chorus and a very harmonious feel to the song. Still, here is the surprise I wasn't expecting to find, and one of the best songs on the album as well!
Hunting High And Low is a good, straight-ahead Power Metal song, very catchy and something I guess most
Freedom Call fans will love! A little on the simple side and not one of their best creations to me.
The uptempo love song
Starlight is a personal highlight, with it's sweet melody and happy little keyboard riff. A point where I think
Freedom Call rule over most similar acts is that though the songs are build up around the chorus, it's evident that the band puts as much energy into writing a solid verse and tie it all together in a magical way. This song is a good example of this.
Kings And Queens is the type of song that could have been on any
Freedom Call album. A bit standard, though it has a few unexpected tempo changes.
Hero Nation is a more laid back, slow track. Though the choir part and slow chorus seem typical
Freedom Call, the guitars are raw, groovy and industrial inspired, and the structure is nothing I would expect from this band. The overly happy atmosphere isn't quite there either, and the song seems a fresh breath of air on the album.
With
High Enough we get back to the well known, typical Power Metal sound with soaring, fast guitars, pounding drums and highpitch screaming. Still, a huge choir mixes with slower and faster parts into a pleasant whole. Innovative or not, these guys know a thing or two about how to put the different parts together in a way that makes it extremely enjoyable to listen to!
Starchild has really grown on me. With its amazing, bombastic atmosphere and way of building up, it may end up as one of my all time
Freedom Call favorites! A very dynamic song, with just the right touch of majestic keyboard to make it special!
With the happy, memorable main riff and an ultra melodic outline,
The Eternal Flame makes for a nice sing-a-long Power Metal song that fans of the style are sure to love!
The deep-felt grandiose title track grabbed me since the first spin of the disc. In the song,
Freedom Call try to reflect different aspects and emotions of life, and the feeling in the song shifts from moody, slow parts to happy, fast ones, all tied together by the majestic chorus. A perfect end to an amazing album!
I wouldn't say the album has enough new elements to call it totally innovative or that the band has a whole new sound. The difference is in the detail, but there are plenty of exciting things to find for the attentive ear. To me it comes across as a very creative and well thought out album by the band, which is sure to please old fans, as well as lovers of happy Power Metal in general!
Written by
Nina Wednesday, April 6, 2005
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