Warriors of light - A review of Freedom Call's M.E.T.A.L.

It's been a while since I have tried out a Freedom Call record and I am by no means a big fan of overtly joyous power metal with simple melodies and repetitive positive lyrics. However, this particular style that was quite popular when the band was founded two decades ago and reached its heights fifteen years ago has become a rarity these days. Listening to this type of music that is often refered to as flower metal is a refreshing change of style. Especially when it's executed as brilliantly as on M.E.T.A.L..

M.E.T.A.L. is Freedom Call's tenth studio record but the band never sounds bland, old-fashioned or uninspired. This album oozes with uplifting atmosphere, joyful lyrics and catchy melodies. While other groups sing about the number of the beast, the German quartet opens the album with the white metal anthem ''111 - The Number of the Angels'' and you can't help but smile when you hear the playful guitar melodies, speedy rhythm section and engaging vocals filled with optimistic power. ''Spirit of Daedalus'' is simply an excellent European power metal song that could have been released by genre legends such as Gamma Ray, Helloween or Edguy two decades ago and shows that Freedom Call also convinces with topics about legends and musicianship that is a little bit heavier regarding the vibrant guitar riffs. Title track ''M.E.T.A.L.'' might come around with stereotypical lyrics honouring the metal genre and scene one would have rather expected from HammerFall, Manowar or Primal Fear two decades ago but the song is performed with so much honest conviction that you simply can't escape its addicting vibes. Freedom Call's M.E.T.A.L. is a joyful ride through vibrant European power metal territories for forty-three carefree minutes.

Even though some song ideas end up getting slightly repetitive towards the end of the album, M.E.T.A.L. doesn't include any fillers and should appeal to European power metal fans of old date. This record's limited edition includes two acoustic versions of Freedom Call classics and shows that this band also transmits positive vibes in a stripped-down concept thanks to its gifted guitar players and skilled vocalist in particular. The bland cover artwork certainly doesn't do the vibrant energy of the song material and the production justice.

Freedom Call's M.E.T.A.L. spreads so much joy that it can only be enjoyed in small doses but if you need to get a positive smile upon your face, there isn't anything better you could listen to. The songwriting might be repetitive, the music might go back twenty years in time and the lyrics might be simplistic but the record is performed with so much energy, honesty and warmth that you won't care if you appreciate this type of music. In sinister moods and times, this uplifting record is a true relief.

Final rating: 75%