Freedom Call - Legend of the Shadowking

Power metal enthusiasts take notice: Freedom Call has turned over a new leaf! The German epic power metal outfit's sixth full-length, Legend of the Shadowking is epic. That's expected from Freedom Call, though. The news is that this release has an unprecedented level of depth compared to the group's prior releases, i.e. the album is not a typical epic power metal album in any sense.

Freedom Call, hailing from Bavaria, is orignally an offshoot of Gamma Ray. They have been producing epic power metal since the late 1990s and have developed a large following in Europe. They are known for kick drumming, fast guitar work, triumphant choruses, and of course corny lyrical themes. This latest release differentiates itself from the rest of their body of work musically and lyrically through one significant introduction: darkness.

As the album name and many of the song titles may suggest, the overall feel of Legend of the Shadowking is far less bubbly and happy than past Freedom Call Releases, while it still maintains the perfunctory level of epic-ness. Lyrical themes of songs like "The Darkness" and "The Shadowking," for example, are a far cry from anything Enslaved has written, but this change in Freedom Call's direction is a welcome one. The musical side of these "darker" power metal tracks is also a point of differentiation from stereotypical Freedom Call.

Don't get me wrong- Legend of the Shadowking contains several fist-pumping power metal tracks that devoted fans will readily raise their drinks to. The album begins with "Out of the Ruins," which features a shout choir, synthesizers, a galloping riff, and a chorus about marching together. "Thunder God" uses a riff that is eerily similar to the breakdown WASP's "The Heretic" and is a really catchy power metal tune otherwise. Guitarist Lars Rettkowitz's work on the album is definitely impressive, while freshman bassist Sammy Saemann and percussionist Dan Zimmerman drive high-tempo pieces like "Remember!" with ease.

The first track that alerted me that something was different about this album was "Under the Spell of the Moon". Chris Bay's relies on his lower register for the vocals, while the riffing and tempo of the track present a much darker, different Freedom Call. Tracks like "Dark Obsession" and "The Darkness," as their names may suggest, help balance Legend of the Shadowking between dark and light. This variation is what makes Legend of the Shadowking a quality album.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that Legend of the Shadowking was intended to be a concept album about Bavarian King Ludwig II. I was unable to make the connection between some of the songs like "Resurrection Day" and King Ludwig, but "Ludwig II- Prologue," the only non-English track on the album, is pretty obvious and contains an excerpt from the king's writings as well as an interesting prologue to what may or may not be a developing story.

This change in Freedom Call's direction is a welcome one, as it will help to define them within the subgenre of epic power metal. Legend of the Shadowking contains elements that differentiate it from other bands' work as well as from Freedom Call's previous releases. I highly recommend this album to power metal fans who are looking for a deeper, more complex release that still maintains the traditional aspect of the genre.

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*Comments:

May 14, 2010

Reviewer: The Stream

Release Date: February 1st, 2010
Label: SPV/Steamhammer

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

Total playing time:  56:44