I’ve seen Freedom Call play live a couple of times, and they are ace, the power metal fans’ power metal band, if you will.
One of those times, on a Sunday night if I recall correctly, sticks out because not only did Chris Bay—the band’s driving force—merrily tell us that we were “way louder than Grimsby,” but there was also a chap in front of me with a wooden sword that he had seemingly fashioned himself.
The sword was obviously for metal (or M.E.T.A.L, given the title of this record?), and somehow, that strikes me as one of the most Freedom Call things ever.
Another defining aspect is the very premise of this album. They were on their way to MetalFest in the Czech Republic when they discovered recording equipment at the festival. At that moment, they spontaneously decided to record a live album, just because.
The results are here (and for clarity, they only concern the album released on streaming services, not other versions with slightly different track listings and not the DVD).
Essentially, they are the epitome of metal. Utterly and unashamedly glorious.
If you don’t like “Union Of The Strong,” you won’t like the rest—it’s that simple. It’s a wonderful celebration of music and life itself. If you’re on board, I’d wager it’s impossible to listen to without a smile.
Exquisitely played, tracks like “Tears Of Babylon” make Dragonforce seem like a lot of fuss about nothing. Chris Widmann, who drums on the Czech recordings but not the rest, takes centre stage, while Lars Rettkowitz shreds.
Nowhere is the vibe captured better than on “Spirit Of Daedalus,” where Bay stops the show to ensure the screams are loud enough. And you know he’s doing it with a massive grin.
“Sail Away” is wonderfully and knowingly over-the-top, and if you need someone to explain what “Metal Invasion” and “M.E.T.A.L” sound like, then you’re probably on the wrong site.
Less is more? That concept certainly doesn’t apply here. “111: The Number Of The Angels” captures the essence and lays it on thick, while “The Ace Of The Unicorn” shows Gloryhammer a thing or two. And their own classic, “Freedom Call,” is a beauty.
At the heart of this, though, without delving too deeply into analysing a live album, is a sense of community, brotherhood, and the idea that wherever we are in the world, we are bound together by this music. “Power And Glory” (a real singalong) and “Metal Is For Everyone” underline that and do so without subtlety.
“Warriors” portrays them as an invading horde (fighting for metal, no doubt), and “Land Of Light” is either cheesy Euro metal or a stroke of genius, depending on your perspective.
There’s one more track, though, and it’s the new one. They’ve essentially pulled a Saxon and written about the show itself. “The M.E.T.A.L Fest” is exactly what it’s meant to be. And so is this album. Utterly wonderful if you get it, perhaps not if you don’t. Freedom Call, however, are the best at what they do.
So get your wooden swords held proud and high and scream this at the top of your lungs, as it deserves.
Rating: 9/10
