Description

Having a European address is by no means mandatory if one wants to be part of a power metal revival band, but it certainly doesn't hurt. And being from Germany — a country boasting a considerable amount of metal and hard rock history, ranging from Helloween and Warlock to Kreator, Destruction and Sodom to the Scorpions and Accept — has not been a bad thing for Freedom Call, who maintain their epic, prog-influenced approach to power metal on �Legend of The Shadowking�. Freedom Call have experienced some personnel changes along the way; on this 2008-2009 recording, the line-up consists of original members Chris Bay (lead vocals, guitar) and Dan Simmermann (drums) along with 2005 arrival Lars Rettkowicz (guitar) and 2009 arrival Samy Saemann (bass). But line-up changes haven't changed the band's sound; Freedom Call still like their power metal big — big melodies, big choruses, big themes, and big hooks. There are hooks galore on this album, and those hooks have a way of pulling the listener in right away — at least if he/she has a taste for a stubbornly old-school power metal aesthetic. �Legend Of The Shadowking� preaches to the power metal choir and does so without apology; the end result is a likable disc that satisfies and pleases even though it takes very few chances. Track listing: 1. Out Of The Ruins 2. Thunder God 3. Tears Of Babylon 4. Merlin – Legend Of The Past 5. Resurrection Day 6. Under the Spell Of The Moon 7. Dark Obsession 8. The Darkness 9. Remember! 10. Ludwig II – Prologue 11. The Shadowking 12. Merlin – Requiem 13. Kingdom Of Madness 14. A Perfect Day