Frozen Crown: The Fallen King

Frozen Crown is a new band to me but the tremendous people at Scarlet records tell me that they play Melodic Power Metal band with female and male vocals, drawing inspiration from early Sonata Arctica and Nightwish, as well as from the most recent European metal acts like Orden Ogan. The songwriting duties fall upon singer, guitarist and keyboard player Federico Mondelli (Be The Wolf), flanked by singer and frontwoman Giada Etro (Ashes You Leave, Tystnaden). The rest of the band is completed by 17 year old (yep, you read that correctly, 17) female guitarist Talia Bellazecca, bass player Filippo Zavattari and drummer Alberto Mezzanotte.

A simple scan of the song titles (To Infinity, The Shieldmaiden, Queen of Blades, Everwinter and Neverstorm anyone?) clearly marks out the band's power metal credentials as does the furious drum and Rhapsodyesque guitars which initially greet the listener on the hugely enjoyable if decidedly derivative "Fail No More". Mostly the listener is treated to pacey European power metal but that's not say that there isn't variation. "To Infinity", for instance, has a mid-paced Stratovarius feel to it and is as catchy as anything and if I had the vinyl version I would be picking the needle up to play this one over and over again. Sadly I've just checked and there isn't a vinyl version – yet…

Pleasingly female singer Giada Etro (sometimes known as Jade apparently) has a pure vocal tone with a distinct lack of evidence of her Italian background and I know many people find accented vocals irritating – no fear here. I would suggest that "Chasing Lights" could have been removed from the track listing as it is a bit dull and dull although it does neatly segue into "Queen of Blades" nicely. The Fallen King may not be an album which will change the world but genre fans will find absolutely tons to get their teeth into here.

Track Listing:
1. Fail No More
2. To Infinity
3. Kings
4. I Am the Tyrant
5. The Shieldmaiden
6. Chasing Lights
7. Queen of Blades
8. Across the Sea
9. Everwinter
10. Netherstorm

Added: March 23rd 2018
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1655
Language: english

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