The Circle of Life

Freedom Call

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2005)
• Original Release Date: April 26, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Steamhammer Us
• ASIN: B0007PH8IA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #137,816 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Having sold over 25,000 copies of their debut, Stairway To Fairyland, the subsequent tour with Saxon, Angra and Edguy and with Savatage and Skew Siskin in August 1999 as part of the Popkomm music fair in Cologne, Freedom Call were well on their way to triumphant beginnings. Their second release, Crystal Empire, even surpassed the debut’s success. June 2002 saw the arrival of the third Freedom Call recording, Eternity, followed by an extensive tour with Blind Guardian, during which their most recent release, Live Invasion, was recorded. At the same time, Freedom Call established themselves as a headlining act in their own right and were celebrated as the stars of the Wacken Road Show 2004 night after night. The Circle Of Life will doubtlessly add to their new status. A large-scale European tour is in the pipeline for spring 2005, including a surprise special guest who is bound to send the ever-growing melodic metal fan community into raptures.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just above average...., May 4, 2005

By	Ghost In The Ruins "A Savatage Fan" (The Volunteer State) - See all my reviews

Freedom Call is a power metal band from Germany that have been together since the late 90's. Their music is in the vein of Gamma Ray, early Angra, and Stratovarius. Freedom Call's latest offering, The Circle of Life, doesn't break any new ground, but still stay's consistent. It seems to me that the band has scaled back on speed, and have created more of a moderate, heavy sound. With that being said, the music starts to sound the same after a while! In addition, the music sounds like it was a little rushed in the process. This could be that most, if not all of the band members are involved in other projects. If you like a straight forward, metal sound, then The Circle of Life won't disappoint. If you're hoping that Freedom Call has moved forward some with their sound, then you're going to be let down as I am!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My name is Justin, and I am a Freedom Call fan., July 14, 2006

By	Justin Gaines "Corporate Rocker" (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

There, I said it! I know all of the reasons I shouldn't like this band. They're like a more upbeat version of Helloween (which is a pretty damned upbeat band to begin with). They have too many sing-along choruses. They have the cheesiest lyrics this side of Hammerfall. Their albums are all pretty much the same. They're just too happy to be playing metal (no leather and spikes for these guys).

I love them anyway. I know how cheesy they are, but I just don't care. I know their choruses are sing-songy - it just makes them that much easier to sing along with in the car (yes, I do that, thank you very much). Call it a guilty pleasure, but I am a confirmed Freedom Call fan.

Of course, there is a lot to like here. The guitar work is fantastic. The album is full of great melodies. And Chris Bay's vocals, which are very reminiscent of Andre Matos (though not quite as high), are crystal clear and absolutely perfect for this kind of music. Sure, the band is sticking pretty close to the same formula on Circle of Life as it has on all of its previous albums, but it's enjoyable, so I can't really complain. They do seem to be running a bit low on ideas though.

If you're into bands like Angra, Stratovarius, Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Hammerfall, and you don't mind a little cheese in your diet (and let's face it - if you listen to Hammerfall you can't mind it that much), then you'll probably enjoy Freedom Call as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars this is a good dose of operatic metal, December 31, 2008

By	king beagley "metal maven" (warsaw, in usa) - See all my reviews

Freedom Call's music can be lumped in with HammerFall, Grave Digger, Nocturnal Rites, Stratovarius, Kamelot, and Messiah's Kiss. the guitar solo on the the song "Carry On" seems to be galloping.to my ears, it sounds like a power metal band with some electronic effects thrown in for some good measure. you would also think that the song "Hunting High and Low" is a cover of Stratovarius' 1999 song, but it is sung entirely different from the Stratovarius version. although I never heard Angra and Gamma Ray, I can pretty much sum up that they sound like Freedom Call.