Freedom Call arrived brandishing a refined European Melodic Speed Metal style with the 1999 opening shot Stairway To Fairyland that soon propelled the band into the German charts.
The band numbered in their ranks the well-known figure of drummer Dan Zimmermann, known for his days with Heinz and more importantly Metal bands Lanzer, Gamma Ray and Iron Savior.
Live Invasion is the band's latest release. A double live album containing all their loving hits plus the never released, other than Japan, Taragon EP and 3 cover songs. When my chief editor announced to me that I will have the chance to review Freedom Call, a big smile appeared on my face. This band simply rocks people.
Ok, what do we have here? Up-tempo rhythms, anthemnic vocals, versatile arrangements and a positive basic atmosphere. These attitudes have become the trademark of the German Melodic Power Metal band, Freedom Call. Courtesy of their three previous albums, Stairway To Fairyland (1999), Crystal Empire (2000) and Eternity (2002), and successful tours with Hammerfall, Virgin Steele, Saxon, Angra, Stratovarius and Blind Guardian, among others, the quartet from Nuremberg have climbed the steep ladder of success, strengthening their position in the international world of metal with their new release, Live Invasion.
On their latest album, musicians Chris Bay, Ilker Ersin, Dan Zimmermann, Nils Neumann and new addition Cedric Dupont (Guitars) present themselves in brilliant form. We've gone through a natural creative development over the years, Chris Bay explains. The many tours have made us more experienced as a band and as composers, and now we feel in a position to make very specific use of our assets. Nothing is artificial or put on, we've never desperately tried to change anything just for the sake of it. Live Invasion is simply a logical and comprehensible step forward.
I couldn't agree more. Hymns like Freedom Call, Heart Of The Rainbow, Tears Of Taragon, Warriors, Metal Invasion, Land Of Light, Eyes Of The World, Rise Up, We Are One, The Quest and the Hymn To The Brave shouldn't be missing from the disk box of a Power Metal fan. Buying this CD you also have the opportunity to hear Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Kingdom Come, Dr. Stein and Hiroshima, all those magnificent songs.
The first disk was produced by Dan Zimmermann along with Chris Bay and I have to say the sound is just excellent. All songs recorded during the first part of the Eternal World Tour in April / May 2002 in Dusseldorf, Munich and Stuttart. Second disk produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, Dan Zimmermann along with Chris Bay and once again the sound is massive and crystal clear. Some songs mixed and mastered at Hansen Studio Hamburg... does it ring a bell?
For sure Live Invasion is a God damned excellent album and you people out there have to do yourselves a favor and buy it. The cover artwork is amazing and the booklet is filled with pictures of the band members plus all the crazy fans around the globe. There is nothing more to say, Freedom Call accomplish my expectations as being one of the best active Power Metal acts in the world. Got to go now... time to turn up the volume to the maximum and smash everything around me under the sounds of Live Invasion. All HAIL!!!!