German band Freedom Call's catchy music could well be placed at the merrier end of melodic power metal. While not quite as fetching as previous Freedom Call releases, the band's last album Dimensions was still a very good release with some great songs, I still enjoy giving it a spin every now and then, but it had many split opinions, as I'm sure there will also be in regards to 2010's Legend Of The Shadow King. Sometimes when I read others opinions on different releases, I really wonder if they have taken the time to actually listen to the whole album.
This time sees Freedom Call going down the concept route with Legend Of The Shadow King, which they have chosen to base on the story of King Ludwig II, whom was the King of Bavaria from 1864 till the year 1886, that same year King Ludwig II was found drowned in lake Starnberg. With fourteen songs, Freedom Call have taken their talents and gone all out to create their latest album.
Freedom Call begin in high gear with the bombastic buoyant tune "Out of the ruins" following with "Thunder God", "Tears Of Babylon", "Merlin- Legend Of The Past" and "Resurrection Day" all fine examples of uplifting power metal. Ditching the power metal on the more straightforward rocker "Under The Spell Of The Moon" as Freedom Call once again displays their diversity, and "Dark Obsession" while quite heavy is also a different but still an interesting song. "The Darkness" is a mixture of slow brooding to faster lively music. "Remember" is more like the earlier vibrant songs, though "Ludwig II prologue" does seem a bit odd with its spoken words(probably more due to the fact I couldn't understand what he's saying), and that one leads into "The Shadow King" which has quite a nice groove. Freedom Call finishes the album as they get rocking with the upbeat numbers "Kingdom Of Madness" and "A Perfect Day".
I really don't mind this Freedom Call album at all, as the band obviously aren't just following the power metal pack. While Legend Of The Shaow King contains many of the traits Freedom Call are known for, some of the songs on the CD need time to sink in, and the hooks aren't as prevalent as previous Freedom Call material. So you really need to give Legend Of The Shadow King a fair go before making a final judgment.
Track List:
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
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