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Freedom Call: Beyond
Freedom Call: Beyond
Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal
4.0/5.0
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Steamhammer/SPV Records
by Craig Hartranft, 27.02.2014
Vocalist and guitarist Chris Bay calls Freedom Call 'the happiest metal band in the world.' I guess that rules them out being a black metal band. But you already knew that Freedom Call was a long-serving German power metal band.
Freedom Call: don't crack a smile.
And their eighth album, Beyond, basically takes them back to those roots. While 2012's Legend of the Crimson Dawn had more than a few highly accessible melodic hard rock numbers, this album is essentially straight up melodic power metal, speedy and bombastic with big guitars and even bigger harmonious vocal arrangements. Union of the Strong, Beyond Eternity, Heart of a Warrior, and the uber-symphonic title track are some representative tracks.
Yet there are also a few slight curves. Dance Off The Devil has a very interesting rhythm developed mostly in the drumming, but also something nearing a celtic feel in the guitars. Then there's Come On Home, a total groove monster with a huge catchy chorus. I can see this song being a huge, sing-along, fan favorite in their live shows. Mostly, though, the whole album is rather upbeat and grand, and pure Freedom Call. Maybe Freedom Call is 'the happiest metal band in the world' after all. Recommended.
Freedom Call - Union of the Strong (Official)
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In Short
Beyond brings Freedom Call back to their roots, offering grand and bombastic, often quite catchy, classic power metal.
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