PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Freedom Call , The German Power Metal band have re-released their 2002 album ‘Eternity’ with a bonus disk including one new song, some live tracks taken from previous live album releases and interestingly, other bands covering Freedom Call’s songs. These track first appeared on the bonus disk from the 2012 album ‘Land Of The Crimson Dawn’.
Eternity was Freedom Call’s third album, and unfortunately it sounded way too similar to 80’s era Helloween for my liking. However it was, and still is a good album, it hit all the Power Metal points bang on, but while nothing about the album was original, it was done well, and at times, very well.
The album pretty much runs through all of the stereotypes power metal has to offer, massive, double-bass-driven drums, massive guitar histrionics, big fast-paced anthems, high pitched vocals and the odd ballad fill the album from start to finish.
In their defense, Freedom Call did put their heart and soul into this and produced some amazing tracks. The opening “Metal Invasion” isn’t one however, as it opens with a very cliched male voice choir before the power metal part kicks in. The rest of the album though is very good
“Flying High” and “Ages of Power” are the fastest songs on here, with chorus hooks that kick you in the teeth. “Flame in the Night” and “Island of Dreams” are certainly up there with the best of what Helloween could produce at that time. . “Eyes of the World” is a captivating track, with a great hook, and then there is “Warriors”, a great anthemic track that shows Freedom Call in their prime. “Land of Light” is very catchy while the ballad “Bleeding Heart” comes complete with some great sounding synths.
Disk 2 starts with the only new track on this release but it is an excellent tune none the less, certainly not a throw away left over from a recording session. Could have quite easily fitted on the “Eternity” album. The next few tracks are from the ‘Live Invasion’ album from 2004 and ‘Live in Helvetia’ album from 2011, highlights from two great albums.
The next track is from a bonus disk from 2014’s ‘Beyond’ album and is played unplugged . The last three tracks are from the bonus disk of ‘Land of the Crimson Dawn’ and showcases’s other bands cover of Freedom Call’s tracks, the best one is undoubtedly ‘Land Of Light’ as covered by Neonfly.
If you already own all of Freedom Call’s back catalogue then you don’t really need this as it only has one new song, as excellent though it may be. However if you are new to Power Metal, Halloween and Freedom Call then this would certainly be on my must buy list.
Track Listing:
CD 1 – ETERNITY – Re-Release
01) The Spell
02) The Eyes of the World
03) Flying High
04) Island of Dreams
05) Bleeding Heart
06) Flame in the Night
07) Metal Invasion
08) Ages of Power
09) Turn back time
10) Warriors
11) Land of Light
CD 2 – BONUS CD
01) 666 Weeks Beyond Eternity – new Song 2015
02) Metal Invasion – from Live in Hellvetia 2011
03) Warriors – from Live in Hellvetia 2011
04) Land of Light – from „Live in Hellvetia 2011
05) The Eyes of the World – from Live Invasion 2004
06) Metal Invasion – from Masqueraded 2013
07) Warriors – from Unplugged & Masqueraded LIVE 2014
08) Flame in the Night (Powerworld) – from Land of the Crimson Dawn-BONUS 2012
09) Land of Light (Neonfly) – from Land of the Crimson Dawn-BONUS 2012
10) Warriors (Hannes Braun) – from Land of the Crimson Dawn-BONUS 2012
- 11.99
