Old school, no nonsense heavy metal is the framework for the debut from Connecticut rockers Freedoms Reign, who were formed in 2011 by original Fates Warning guitarist Victor Arduini. He's joined in the band by Tom Vumback (Guitar), Mike Jones (Bass), and Chris Judge (Drums). Arduini has been rather quite on the scene since he left Fates Warning after the release of The Spectre Within in 1985, but he's not lost a step all these years and has put together a satisfying platter of metal here with his bandmates. Vocals are handled by Victor as well, and he sounds a tad like Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne. Many of the songs are filled with thick riffs and galloping rhythms, combining elements of early Fates Warning, Riot, Leige Lord, and even some early '80s Sabbath. Tunes such as "Ritual", "Brother", "Shadows of Doubt", and "Believe" are melodic & memorable, but pack plenty of punch thanks to some really crunchy riffing and pounding rhythms, with some blazing lead guitar solos thrown in for good measure. "No Excuses" has a somewhat modern slant to it (think Black Label Society or Clutch), and "Looking Around" mixes in some prog atmospherics amidst the pummeling metal.
Good stuff all around here on the debut from Freedoms Reign, and though it took Victor Arduini a while to re-enter the metal scene, it's good to see him back and rocking once again.
Track Listing
1. Ritual 04:51
2. Shadows of Doubt 04:38
3. Brother 03:53
4. Believe 03:49
5. Up from Down 05:32
6. To Be 04:30
7. No Excuses 05:41
8. Long Way 06:05
9. Looking Around 07:02
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