The Circle of Life is Freedom Call's fourth studio album and finds the German power metal band mining similar territory as that of Stratovarius, Helloween and Edguy. Unusually for a band of this ilk, they keep the individual song lengths relatively short, with most compositions falling in the four minute range. The emphasis is squarely on metal anthems and catchy choruses as the introductory one/two punch of "Mother Earth" and "Carry On" clearly illustrate. Chris Bay has an instantly likeable voice and dares you not to get the chorus of songs like "Starlight" and "Kings and Queens" out of your head.
Yes, The Circle of Life is very much a vocal oriented album and anyone looking for Dream Theater style flash may be disappointed. But don't get the idea that Freedom Call lack ambition: in fact, the second half of the CD is where things really pick up. The dueling guitars of Bay and Cede Dupont ably lead the charge against Nils Newumann's fine symphonic keyboards and the double bass drums of Dan Zimmermann. Likewise songs like "High Enough" and "The Eternal Flame" feature blazing guitar solos and elaborate yet tasteful vocal arrangements.
For those who may find bands like Rhapsody and Blind Guardian too excessive, Freedom Call offer a more palatable variation on a similar theme. While nothing particularly new or groundbreaking, The Circle of Life will surely be receiving many replays in my home. Recommended.
Track Listing
- Mother Earth
- Carry On
- The Rhythm of Life
- Hunting High and Low
- Starlight
- The Gathering (Midtro)
- Kings & Queens
- Hero Nation
- High Enough
- Starchild
- The Eternal Flame
- The Circle of Life
Running Time: 51:03
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