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FREEDOM CALL***Anthemnic New Studio Album 'M.E.T.A.L.' released August 23rd on Steamhammer/SPV*** |
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| Leading German Melodic Rockers Freedom Call, who celebrate their 20th anniversary this summer, are set to release their utterly uplifting tenth studio album, 'M.E.T.A.L.', on Steamhammer / SPV on August 23rd. 'ME.T.A.L.' will be available as a Digipak CD with 2 bonus tracks, 'Unicorn' card and embossed cover (limited to 3,000), Jewel Case CD, double (blue with black swirls) 180 gram vinyl LP (with printed inner sleeves + CD in a cardboard case), download and stream. The video for the first single from the album, '111' has just been unveiled and can be viewed here: Since their inception two decades ago, Freedom Call have become synonymous with soaring choruses, harmonic melody laden guitar licks, hard driving grooves, atmospheric messages and exuberantly irrepressible optimistic lyrics. Never is this more evident than on 'ME.T.A.L.', a masterpiece melodic power metal triumph. "Everybody who's heard the album has told us that some of the tracks could easily have featured on our first recordings," front man Chris Bay explains with some pride, adding: "To me such statements are a big compliment because they imply that there's a typical musical fingerprint, characteristic Freedom Call DNA that we've remained faithful to." Addressing the album's unusual title, Bay states (with a chuckle) that it is "tongue in cheek. After all, everybody knows that we don't exactly play extremely raw death metal. We're happy for our music to polarise the audience, which is precisely what's been happening since we've announced it on Facebook." Characteristically fast-paced, boundlessly enthusiastic songs such as 'Fly With Us', 'Days Of Glory' and 'Ronin' all exude Freedom Call DNA, while the album's title track itself is a standout melodic anthem. Bay reflects that "On the one hand these kinds of pounding groove numbers are pretty unusual for us, on the other hand 'M.E.T.A.L.' is an absolute novelty." In other places the new album risks a degree of poignancy on 'One Step Into Wonderland' or oozes atmospheric seafaring flair on 'Sail Away'. Explaining the title of first single '111', Bay states that "111 is the number of angels in Western esotericism, and it also plays an important role in my life. I come across it constantly, be it the number of my hotel room, a receipt at the supermarket or even my birth date." While 'M.E.T.A.L.' was recorded with live drummer Kevin Kott (Masterplan), from summer 2019 Freedom Call will tour with a new line up consisting – along with Bay and lead guitarist Lars Rettkowitz – of Italian bassist Francesco Ferraro and drummer Timmi Breideband. Freedom Call met Ferraro during their tour with Rhapsody Of Fire, Francesco opening the show with his band Vexillum. Breideband previously played with At Vance and Bonfire. "Francesco and Timmi have brought lots of new ideas and a younger attitude to the band," enthuses Bay about his new colleagues. |
| M.E.N.T.A.L Roland Hyams on 07768 156392 / 020 8677 8466 roland@workhardpr.com www.freedom-call.net www.spv.de 2nd July 2019 |
© Work Hard PR 2019 |
FREEDOM CALL***Dazzling New Studio Album 'Master Of Light' released Nov. 11th on Steamhammer / SPV*** |
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| Mighty German Melodic Rockers Freedom Call, the 'happiest metal band in the world', have confirmed the release of their rousing ninth studio album, 'Master Of Light', on Steamhammer / SPV on November 11th. 'Master Of Light' will be available as a DigiPak CD (+ poster), double gatefold blue 180 gram vinyl LP (with CD in a cardboard sleeve), a limited edition of 1,000 box sets, (containing DigiPak CD + Bonus CD, sunglasses, sticker, plus postcard signed by each band member) and download (+2 exclusive bonus tracks). As the album title suggests, 'Master Of Light' is an upbeat, optimistic opus, oozing with Freedom Call's customary joie de vivre, their musical enthusiasm bursting out of every catchy, melody drenched composition. Front man Chris Bray recalls that the guys were bursting with a “whole load of energy” when Freedom Call wound up their European tour promoting their previous studio album, 'Beyond'; “We returned from the shows with such a lot of power that we found ourselves composing and recording the new material within a few months.”  'Master Of Light' was recorded by the current line-up consisting of original members Chris Bay (vocals, guitars) and Ilker Ersin (bass), plus guitarist Lars Rettkowitz (guitar), and drummer Ramy Ali in the band's own Little Sun Creek Lounge Studio near Nuremburg. The controls were masterfully manned by Chris Bay and Stephen Ernst, who also co-produced predecessors 'Land Of The Crimson Dawn (2012), 'Beyond' and 'Eternity – 666 Weeks Beyond Eternity' (2015). 'Master Of Light', a prime slab of multi-faceted melodic metal, is packed with the band's trademark soaring melodies, amazing dynamism and ever more anthemic choruses; “As far as chorus parts are concerned, we've even topped our previous releases” notes Bay. 'Hammer Of The Gods' is a prime case in point, an irrepressible, exuberant power metal concoction with a stirring, uplifting, resounding refrain, as is album opener 'Metal Is For Everyone', which similarly seeks to put smiles on faces. 'Metal Is For Everyone', for which a new video will be unveiled before album release, “is our plea not to worry too much too much about the apparent imponderabilities of life, to take them a little less seriously. And: isn't there a little heavy metal in every one of us?” notes Bay. Reflecting on the progressive elements incorporated in 'A World Beyond', Chris muses “I think that it is one of the most challenging numbers we've ever recorded. The complexity of that number reminds me first and foremost of our 'Crystal Empire' phase.” Also unusual is glorious ballad 'A Cradle Of Angels, which was recorded on acoustic guitars in fingerpicking style and features lyrics that encourage positive thinking to solve problems. |
| Blazing Roland Hyams on 07768 156392 / 020 8677 8466 roland@workhardpr.com www.freedom-call.net www.spv.de 22nd September 2016 |
© Work Hard PR 2016 |
FREEDOM CALL***ROUSING MELODIC METALLER'S OCTOBER UK HEADLINE TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED *** |
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| “You sound like a bunch of pussies”, bemoans Freedom Call front-man Chris Bray. “You're supposed to be warriors! This is a heavy metal party.” Were you ever tempted to try out a quintessential power metal show for size, well… too damned late. A boisterous Friday night sold-out crowd has gathered to appreciate two of the genre's very finest exponents. Focusing on their 2002 album, the Germans go down like a headline act. 8/10” (Dave Ling, live review of Freedom Call /Sonata Arctica @ Islington 02 Academy in Metal Hammer, July 2015 issue) Freedom Call, Germany's premier Melodic Metal band, have lined up a headline tour of the UK next month, following their tumultuous, utterly uplifting, off-the-scale special guest slot with Sonata Arctica at London's Islington 02 Academy on May 2nd. Dates are:- Thurs. 8th Oct. BIRMINGHAM The Roadhouse (+ Dragonhammer + Celestial Wish) Fri. 9th Oct. GLASGOW Audio (+ Dragonhammer + Farseer) Sat. 10th Oct. SHEFFIELD South Sea - Co-Headliner with SILENT VOICES (+Dragonhammer + Immension + Faster The Chase) Sun. 11th Oct LONDON The Borderline – with Special Guests Dragonhammer  Freedom Call, the 'happiest metal band in the world', released their 8th studio album, 'Beyond', to huge acclaim in February 2014. 'Beyond', which marked the return of founding member, bassist Ilker Ersin, and the addition of drum wizard Ramy Ali, was awarded 8/10 by Powerplay's Sam Khaneka, who stated in the March 2014 issue that “In the way that only Freedom Call can manage, the entirety of their latest, 'Beyond', exudes joy like nothing else, with elation essentially being the theme of every song. Sure, there are a couple of moments where the band delve into a slightly heavier mindset, not least on the storming 'Heart Of A Warrior', but then 'heavy' by the Call's standards is still ridiculously upbeat…Of particular note is the fact that Freedom Call have attempted to move out of their comfort zone with a title track stretching close to eight minutes in length, there's just enough stylistic variation to the arrangement to keep it interesting – even if it's not quite as immediately captivating as the rest of the album. On the other hand, 'Dance Of The Devil' shows the band channeling a slightly culturally-infused rhythm, with the result being a track that sounds like a heavy metal version of The Lion King. It's a real highlight, and both songs add a slightly different element to an album of solid and unabashedly upbeat power metal.” |
| Freed Roland Hyams on 07768 156392 / 020 8677 8466 roland@workhardpr.com www.freedom-call.net www.spv.de 11th September 2015 |
© Work Hard PR 2015 |
FREEDOM CALL***Classic 2002 ‘Eternity’ Album Re-Released As A Special ‘666 Weeks Beyond Eternity’ Edition 2CD DigiPak April 27th on Steamhammer / SPV *** |
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Freedom Call, Germany’s premier Melodic Metal band, are set to re-release their landmark album ‘Eternity’ as a very special edition double DigiPak CD, on April 27th on Steamhammer / SPV, 666 weeks after its original genesis in 2002. In celebration of this ‘hellish’ anniversary, ‘Eternity’ has been completely re-mastered, and comes with a host of bonus material, including nine different versions of songs on ‘Eternity’, a brand new studio track ‘666 Weeks Beyond Eternity’, plus a 16 page booklet. Furthermore, the album has been repackaged in a brand new cover and artwork, created by Jens Reinhold (Evergrey, Virgin Steele, Kingdom Come), based on the original sleeve design by Paul A. Gregory (Saxon). Immediately following the release, Freedom Call embark on a European tour as special guests of Sonata Arctica, calling in to the UK to play London 02 Islington Academy on May 1st. After unleashing their highly rated studio album ‘Beyond’ in February 2014, Freedom Call set off on their ‘Light Over The Beyond’ tour round Europe, dropping in to the UK to headline London’s Barfly on March 22nd. Record Collector’s Joe Geesin reviewed the gig in the June 2014 issue, stating that “The Barfly was heaving to the rafters for Germany’s Freedom Call, more used to playing major venues. The new line-up fronted by guitarist vocalist Chris Bray still offer power metal at its most uplifting, opener ‘Union Of The Strong’ (from the new ‘Beyond’, embodying their trademark vocal harmonies and twin guitars. After 15 years, it’s hard to believe that they aren’t better known, tracks from their debut ‘Stairway to Fairyland’ (notably ‘We Are One’) mixing perfectly with the latest opus, its title track standing out. Other highlights included ‘Farewell’ and the epic ‘The Quest’, complete with piano intro. The 75 minute set entertained from start to finish, warranting much greater exposure.” ‘Beyond’, which marked the return of founding member, bassist Ilker Ersin, and the addition of drum wizard Ramy Ali, was awarded 8/10 by Powerplay’s Sam Khaneka, who stated in the March 2014 issue that “In the way that only Freedom Call can manage, the entirety of their latest, ‘Beyond’, exudes joy like nothing else, with elation essentially being the theme of every song. Sure, there are a couple of moments where the band delve into a slightly heavier mindset, not least on the storming ‘Heart Of A Warrior’, but then ‘heavy’ by the Call’s standards is still ridiculously upbeat…Of particular note is the fact that Freedom Call have attempted to move out of their comfort zone with a title track stretching close to eight minutes in length, there’s just enough stylistic variation to the arrangement to keep it interesting – even if it’s not quite as immediately captivating as the rest of the album. On the other hand, ‘Dance Of The Devil’ shows the band channeling a slightly culturally-infused rhythm, with the result being a track that sounds like a heavy metal version of The Lion King. It’s a real highlight, and both songs add a slightly different element to an album of solid and unabashedly upbeat power metal.” |
| Devilish Roland Hyams on 07768 156392 / 020 8677 8466 roland@workhardpr.com www.freedom-call.net www.spv.de 11th September 2015 |
© Work Hard PR 2015 |
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FREEDOM CALL***November UK Tour Follows Rave Reviews Of New ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’ Studio Album on SPV*** |
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“With Songs like ‘Remember’, ‘Tears Of Babylon’, ‘Thunder God’, and the so-happy-you-want-to-cry ‘Merlin – The Legend Of The Past’, and you just can’t go wrong with what Freedom Call are offering. And if you’ve been mourning the death of power metal in its purest form, this is the heady elixir to bring back your faith. Superb. 8/10’ (Powerplay Magazine album review by Bruce Turnbull, April 2010 issue.) Following rave reviews of their sixth studio album, ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’, released in the Spring on Steamhammer / SPV, Freedom Call, one of Germany’s best loved and most successful melodic Power Metal bands, have lined up a five date UK tour. Dates are:- November 4th – BOURNEMOUTH Champions (01202 75700 / ticketweb.com) ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’, Freedom Call’s sixth studio album, is packed with the band’s trademark soaring, melodic hard rocking compositions, spiraling guitar runs and huge vocal harmonies. ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’, produced by Tommy Newton (Helloween, UFO, Victory), contains 14 songs, all inspired by the story of 19th Century King Ludwig II, who was King of Bavaria, a large regional kingdom of Germany, until he was forced to cede power to the First German Empire when it was founded in 1871.When Bavaria lost its centuries-old independence, he famously stated ‘I don’t want to be a shadow king without power’. Ludwig was an eccentric whose legacy is intertwined with the history of art and architecture, as he subsequently commissioned the construction of several extravagant fantasy castles and was a devoted patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Freedom Call were formed in 1998 around the nucleus of old friends Chris Bray (vocals and guitars) and drummer Daniel Zimmerman, who was [and still is] also a member of Gamma Ray, with whom Freedom Call are touring Europe with throughout February and March 2010. Guitarist Lars Rettkowitz and bassist Samy Saemann complete the Freedom Call line-up. Freedom Call’s debut album, ‘Stairway to Fairyland’, released in 1999, sold over 35,000 copies and firmly established the band at the forefront of the emerging power metal scene. Tours with the likes of Saxon and Angra saw the band developing a huge live following, boosted by numerous slots on major European festivals such as Wacken Open Air in Germany, where they continue appear higher up the bill every time they release an album. Following the release of ‘Crystal Empire’, Freedom Call’s second album, in 2001, the band set off on a 63 date European tour with Hammerfall and Virgin Steele. After the release of ‘Eternity’, their 3rd album, Freedom Call toured with Blind Guardian, during which they recorded their ‘Live Invasion’ album, before starring on the Wacken Road Show 2004. ‘The Circle of Life’, released in 2005, saw the integration of more contemporary and unusual arrangements into the band’s sound, extending the musicians sonic range, further developed on ‘Dimensions’, released in 2007. Powerplay’s Adam Harrold awarded ‘Dimensions’ 8/10 in July 2007’s issue, enthusing “It’s thrashier, more melodic and more topical than any of their efforts thus far...It’s a brilliant fusing of all the things that detractors would say is wrong with power metal. Which, of course, means it rocks.” |
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Legendary – Roland Hyams on 020 8677 8466 October 19th 2010 |
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© Work Hard PR 2010 |
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FREEDOM CALL***New ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’ Studio Album released February 15th on Steamhammer / SPV*** |
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Freedom Call, one of Germany’s best loved and most successful melodic Power Metal bands, release their brand new studio album ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’ on Steamhammer / SPV on February 15th. ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’, Freedom Call’s sixth studio album, is packed with the band’s trademark soaring, melodic hard rocking compositions, spiraling guitar runs and huge vocal harmonies. ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’, produced by Tommy Newton (Helloween, UFO, Victory), contains 14 brand new songs, all inspired by the story of 19th Century King Ludwig II, who was King of Bavaria, a large regional kingdom of Germany, until he was forced to cede power to the First German Empire when it was founded in 1871. When Bavaria lost its centuries-old independence, he famously stated ‘I don’t want to be a shadow king without power’. Ludwig was an eccentric whose legacy is intertwined with the history of art and architecture, as he subsequently commissioned the construction of several extravagant fantasy castles and was a devoted patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Freedom Call were formed in 1998 around the nucleus of old friends Chris Bray (vocals and guitars) and drummer Daniel Zimmerman, who was [and still is] also a member of Gamma Ray, with whom Freedom Call are touring Europe with throughout February and March 2010. Guitarist Lars Rettkowitz and bassist Samy Saemann complete the Freedom Call line-up. Freedom Call’s debut album, ‘Stairway to Fairyland’, released in 1999, sold over 35,000 copies and firmly established the band at the forefront of the emerging power metal scene. Tours with the likes of Saxon and Angra saw the band developing a huge live following, boosted by numerous slots on major European festivals such as Wacken Open Air in Germany, where they continue appear higher up the bill every time they release an album. Following the release of ‘Crystal Empire’, Freedom Call’s second album, in 2001, the band set off on a 63 date European tour with Hammerfall and Virgin Steele. After the release of ‘Eternity’, their 3rd album, Freedom Call toured with Blind Guardian, during which they recorded their ‘Live Invasion’ album, before starring on the Wacken Road Show 2004. ‘The Circle of Life’, released in 2005, saw the integration of more contemporary and unusual arrangements into the band’s sound, extending the musicians sonic range, further developed on ‘Dimensions’, released in 2007. Powerplay’s Adam Harrold awarded ‘Dimensions’ 8/10 in July 2007’s issue, enthusing “It’s thrashier, more melodic and more topical than any of their efforts thus far...It’s a brilliant fusing of all the things that detractors would say is wrong with power metal. Which, of course, means it rocks.” ‘Legend Of The Shadow King’ is now all set to firmly establish Freedom Call at the top of the tree of the burgeoning power metal scene, alongside Helloween, Gamma Ray, Rhapsody of Fire et al. To listen to the album online go to:- |
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To download a water marked album, or receive a promo copy contact Roland Hyams on 020 8677 8466 15th January 2009. |
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© Work Hard PR 2009 |
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SECOND 'CRYSTAL EMPIRE' ALBUM FROM TOP GERMAN PROGRESSIVE SPEED METAL BAND OUT FEBRUARY 5TH 2001 ON SPV THROUGH KOCH. DEBUT UK GIG AT THE UNDERWORLD 26TH FEBRUARY. Chris Bay - Guitars & VocalsOn February 5th 2001 Freedom Call release 'Crystal Empire' (on SPV through Koch), the follow up to their highly acclaimed debut (1999) CD 'Stairway To Fairyland', which went on to sell over 35,000 copies, firmly establishing the band at the forefront of the progressive speed metal scene. 'Crystal Empire' is the logical musical continuation of 'Stairway To Fairyland' and is altogether more solid, assured and experienced than it's predecessor. On 26th February the band are set to play their debut UK gig (7.30pm on stage) when they open for Hammer Fall at London's Camden Underworld. Virgin Steele are special guests. Tickets, priced £8.00 in advance (£10 on the door), are on sale now from the box office on 020 7482 1935. Hard Roxx's Dave Cockett wrote in June 1999 that 'There's a liberal sprinkling of Helloween, Blind Guardian and Rhapsody influences, with perhaps the odd reference to 'Supremacy' era Elegy here and there, which when combined in the correct proportions (as the band manage to do pretty much throughout) make for some compulsive listening. Spiralling guitar runs, overblown orchestration and huge vocal harmonies are the trademarks of this kind of metal, and if that particular combination pushes the right buttons for you, then Freedom Call will no doubt demand their rightful place in your CD collection.' 8.5/10. Powerplay's reviewer Malcolm Coull wrote in their September/October 1999 issue, that 'If you take a moment to read through my other reviews this issue, you will realise that I have been a very lucky puppy this time round, as I have had the privilege of hearing and reviewing some of the best music of the year so far. There are certainly a few of the CD's I have had no qualms about giving marks I really reserve for the best around, but if I had to pick one album out that just nosed ahead of the others, it's this one….Ten songs, nearly an hour, of stunning melodic power; there are few greater pleasures in life in my book…The best of a good bunch this issue, my vote for album of the month, and destined to be one of the top albums of the year for sure.' 9/10. Freedom Call were formed in 1998 by Frontman Chris Bay, whose vocal talent was more or less inherited from his grandfather, an opera singer with the Berlin State Opera, and his mother, who was a much sought-after chorus singer. When only seven he began to play the guitar and by the time he was ten had tried his hand at the piano. Having played in various local rock bands, gaining valuable experience as a live musician, he moved to Hamburg in 1990 and got his first serious gig when he worked with Zed Yago. From 1993 to 1996 Chris was a member of former Victory guitarist Hermann Frank's band Moon Doc, with whom he recorded the critically acclaimed albums 'MOON DOC' (1995) and 'GET MOONED' (1996). Two years later Chris Bay formed Freedom Call with Moon Doc Bass player Ilker Ersin, 22 year old wunderkind guitarist Sascha Gerstner and Gamma Ray drummer Dan Zimmermann. Dan has been in former Helloween guitarist Kai Hansen's speed metal group Gamma Ray for the last four years, played drums on 'SOMEWHERE OUT IN SPACE' (1997) and continues to be part of their current line-up, which brought out 'POWERPLANT' in 1999. 'Crystal Empire' was recorded in Hamburg, Nuremberg and Erlangen and co-produced by Chris Bay, Dan Zimmerman and Charlie Bauerfeind, whose credits include include just about everybody with a name on international melodic metal scene, from Angra and Gamma Ray to Blind Guardian, Running Wild and even Sisters Of Mercy. Bauerfeind, who mixed the album, flew in to the Hansen studios in Hamburg from Tenerife where he had been producing Helloween and went straight on to work with Blind Guardian. The atmospheric piano intro to 'The Quest' was supplied by Ferdy Doernberg, who has played with such artists as Rough Silk, the Roland Grapow band and Axel Rudi Pell before. Freedom Call were offered the support slot on Brazilian elite act Angra's tour of France last year, then Saxon's tour of Germany, and were a highlight on the bill of Wacken 1999 and 2000. The band are currently on the European Hammerfall/Virgin Steel tour which kicks off on January 10th 2001 in Gothenburg and will take the three bands through Scandinavia, Holland Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, France and Spain before winding up at London's Underworld on February 26th.
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