Crystal Empire [Import]

Crystal Empire [Import]

Track Listings

1. King Of The Crystal Empire

2. Freedom Call

3. Rise Up

4. Farewell

5. Pharao

6. Call Of Fame

7. Heart Of The Rainbow

8. Quest

9. Ocean

10. Palace Of Fantasy

11. Wanderer

Tracks:

The King Of The Crystal Empire
Freedom Call
Rise Up
Farewell
Pharao
Call Of Fame
Heart Of The Rainbow
The Quest
Ocean
Palace Of Fantasy
The Wanderer

Customer Reviews:

Fresh Power Metal.......2005-02-10

In general Freedom Call is a power metal band in like Hammerfall, Helloween etc. I have listened to this album together with their rest albums and after a few listenings I really liked their songs. Despite the fact that I get bored to listening to the same power bands over and over again, (I stopped listening to power at the end of the nineties with dissapointments like Blind Guardian's last album and the same old thins from the rest).
For me Nightwish made power live again and after all these years Freedom Call seemed not the best new power metal band but simply "fresh"enough. For me it made the difference.
The songs are not original, but they are optimistic with nice riffs, heavy guitars, good production and a very nice and clear voice who reminds me of Adre Matos, Kiske and the guy from Hammerfall. I really liked the voice.
For those who like the classic speed-power metal type of music I believe they will like this band.
Sadly I still can't review this album as a whole for I still don't have a whole idea.

Keepers of the Kindergarden.......2004-10-27

Taking most of their cues from the twin classic albums of Helloween, this group strive to continue the work laid down by their fellow countrymen, and make a pretty good job of it in the process. While there are some darker moments, much of the material relies on fabulously childlike, yet infectious melodies to put Happy Metal back on the map.

Rather than the typical, negative emotions expressed in the majority of Metal bands, Freedom Call use positive, uplifting choruses, which are often sung in a major key. Unfortunately they seem to prefer using the same key for all their songs throughout the album! Many of the vocal melodies are also based on a similar theme, which can become rather tiresome after a while, yet the vocals themselves are performed very well.

The band employ the use of keyboards to further enhance their sound, although the fake trumpets do sound somewhat ridiculous when compared to the real thing. Here again the songs tend to suffer from a lack of diversity when very similar keyboard sequences are used on individual tracks. This is not to say that the music would benefit from their absence, as they do form an integral part of each composition.

Where the band do score however, is with the variation of rhythms and tempos. Another welcome innovation is the abolition of soppy ballads, replaced simply by songs with a slower beat and happier, singalong choruses. Some of this can get a bit much, but fortunately there is plenty of heavier material to counter this lighter side to the album.

Standout tracks include "Rise up", "Pharao" and the epic "Quest", while the likes of "Farewell" and "Wanderer" are more likely to induce bouts of uncontrolable cringing upon first encounter! Nevertheless, the music does tend to grow in appeal with repeated plays, and the listening experience eventually becomes an enjoyable one. Well worth checking out for fans of melodic Metal.

Where have you been.......2003-06-27

I can pretty much say that I've been searching for a CD like this for years now. Being a huge fan of power metal, I need catchy choruses, thundering double bass, and beautiful guitar work. This album packs a load of that and more. The great thing about this CD is that it might be just about the happiest metal I've ever heard. Farewell makes me want to join hands with my friends and like run over a grassy hill or something. Yeah, that good. And the band's title anthem is just unbelievably catchy. Try as I might, as a metal album, I cannot find a single thing wrong with The Crystal Empire. Buy it, end of story.

Great Release.......2003-04-26

One day I was looking for some power metal CD's and came across this band, Freedom Call. I was fascinated by the artwork of the cover and decided to buy this album. What a great discovery. If you listen carefully, their music is like Gamma Ray, but I think Chris Bay still sings better than Kai Hansen. Also, Chris' guitar playing also resembles John Norum in his days with Europe. Buy this album if you really like fantasy metal. The epic tale in this album is also good enough to read.

Best Freedom Call album. One of the best available by anyone.......2003-01-09

For starters, there are presently three Freedom Call albums and all three would hit five stars on my star chart. I chose to write about this album because, in my humble opinion, it beats out the other two by a hair.

If your going to rate an album five stars it better be something special. Well this album meets that criteria hands down. there is not a bad song on it and there are six songs I think are 9 or better. Another plus is that this is a feel good album. It's not dark or dreary but an uplifting feel good story. It is essentially a fantasy concept album, the story of which is available on the Freedom Call website:

I believe Crystal Empire is slightly better than their other albums Eternity and Stairway to Fairyland. In fact it's better than all Heroic Power Metal albums I have heard except Hastings 1066 by Thy Majestie and Gates of Oblivion by Dark Moor and I'm not sure of the latter. The music is pretty much standard epic power metal fare with symphonic background rather high pitched multiple vocals in harmony. the music is quite melodic the musicianship, especially guitars, is magnificent. What I especially like about Freedom Call's songs is that they don't use speed drumming like Rhapsody. Like Rhapsody, Freedom Call varies the tempo of the music, however Freemdom Call's fastest speed seems to be about seven eighths of many of the others. This is a big issue with me and it is one of the reasons I could never really get into Rhapsody. Their fastest speed is very disconcerting and really keeps me from absorbing the music. It's just moving too fast to absorb. I find the technically perfect Dragonforce likes the machine gun type drums too, so I don't listen to them either. Anyway, if you're a power metal fan this is a must! Below are the track list with my richter scale ratings:
01 The king of the Crystal Empire (Intro)
02 Freedom Call (10*)
03 Rise up (9*)
04 Farewell (8*)
05 Pharaoh (8*)
06 Call of fame (8*)
07 Heart of the rainbow (9*)
08 The Quest (10*)
09 Ocean (9*)
10 Palace of Fantasy (8*)
11 The Wanderer (9*)

As I said before, all the songs are excellent, with special emphasis on the 5:35 minute Freedom Call and the 7:35 minute The Quest. All songs are similar but the exceptional melodies and varying tempos elevate these two songs above the others.

Virtual Empire
Average customer rating:

Great CD!!!

Virtual Empire
Crystal Ball
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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Album Description

Third album for German metal act. 13 tracks including the first single, 'Look In My Eyes'. Nuclear Blast. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Great CD!!!.......2003-05-16

Not a single bad track...it keeps you enjoying it since the begining to the very end and makes you want to play it again and again...it is simply amazing!!!

Average customer rating:

Precision German, Heroic Power Metal
Keepers of the Kindergarden

Crystal Empire
Freedom Call
Manufacturer: Steamhammer
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000056NDS
Release Date: 2001-01-29

Tracks:

King of the Crystal Empire
Freedom Call
Rise Up
Farewell
Pharao
Call of Fame
Heart of the Rainbow
Quest
Ocean
Palace of Fantasy
Wanderer

Customer Reviews:

Precision German, Heroic Power Metal.......2005-11-18

If I were to make a list of my favorite Epic Power Metal Bands, I would be remiss if I didn't include Freedom Call. For power metaliers, Freedom Call have one of the classiest sounds around. I can barely listen to their music after all these years, without getting chills. There are presently four Freedom Call studio albums and all are solid efforts but for some reason, Crystal Empire strikes a higher chord in my aural senses. I chose to write about this album because, in my humble opinion, it beats out the others by a hair.

Freedom Call is one of those rare bands, where all the band members sing and join in the harmony, like Asia or Styx. Their music is what is regarded as Epic or Heroic Power Metal, which usually translates into a story about some bigger than life fantasy character or event. Crystal Empire is such an album, chronicling a mighty quest by Ramzezh, king of the sun people to save his people from the evil prince Thorgan of Phantagor.

Freedom Call's music is standard epic power metal fare, with symphonic accompaniment and somewhat high pitched multiple vocals harmonizing in the background. The music is particularly melodic, the musicianship, especially guitars, is magnificent. What I like in particular about Freedom Call's songs is that they don't turn their drummer loose, like Rhapsody and many others. Another thing I like about Freedom Call is, like Rhapsody, they vary the tempo of the music. However, unlike Rhapsody, Freedom Call's fastest speed seems to be less frenetic than many other power metal bands. This is a important issue with me. It is one of the reasons I never quite got into Rhapsody. Their fastest speed is almost machine gun like. I find it very disconcerting and it really keeps me from absorbing the music. It's just moving too fast to take in. Anyway, if you're a power metal fan, this is a must!

Highlight Songs

All the songs are excellent, with special emphasis on tracks 2, 4 and 8. "Freedom Call", "Farewell" and "The Quest". All songs are similar but the exceptional melodies and varying tempos elevate these three songs above the others.

"Freedom Call" is a 5:35 minute, medium fast tempo piece with strong orchestral elements. It also features a strong guitar solo in the bridge.

"Farewell" is a 4:06 minute, medium paced, somewhat anthem sounding song again with extensive orchestral accompaniment.

At 7:35 minutes "The Quest" longest song on the album. It is also the `piece de resistance`, a song that I consider in the top echelons of my favorites. For me it is truly inspiring, starting out with a subtle piano intro and then the sound explodes around you. It has somewhat of a chugging beat.

Keepers of the Kindergarden.......2004-10-28

Average customer rating:

High Precision German Power Metal
Great performance

Crystal Empire
Freedom Call
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005HUKD

Tracks:

King of the Crystal Empire
Freedom Call
Rise Up
Farewell
Pharao
Call of Fame
Heart of the Rainbow
Quest
Ocean
Palace of Fantasy
Wanderer

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

High Precision German Power Metal.......2005-11-18

f I were to make a list of my favorite Epic Power Metal Bands, I would be remiss if I didn't include Freedom Call. For power metaliers, Freedom Call have one of the classiest sounds around. I can barely listen to their music after all these years, without getting chills. There are presently four Freedom Call studio albums and all are solid efforts but for some reason, Crystal Empire strikes a higher chord in my aural senses. I chose to write about this album because, in my humble opinion, it beats out the others by a hair.

Freedom Call is one of those rare bands, where all the band members sing and join in the harmony, like Asia or Styx. Their music is what is regarded as Epic or Heroic Power Metal, which usually translates into a story about some bigger than life fantasy character or event. Crystal Empire is such an album, chronicling a mighty quest by Ramzezh, king of the sun people to save his people from the evil prince Thorgan of Phantagor.

Freedom Call's music is standard epic power metal fare, with symphonic accompaniment and somewhat high pitched multiple vocals harmonizing in the background. The music is particularly melodic, the musicianship, especially guitars, is magnificent. What I like in particular about Freedom Call's songs is that they don't turn their drummer loose, like Rhapsody and many others. Another thing I like about Freedom Call is, like Rhapsody, they vary the tempo of the music. However, unlike Rhapsody, Freedom Call's fastest speed seems to be less frenetic than many other power metal bands. This is a important issue with me. It is one of the reasons I never quite got into Rhapsody. Their fastest speed is almost machine gun like. I find it very disconcerting and it really keeps me from absorbing the music. It's just moving too fast to take in. Anyway, if you're a power metal fan, this is a must!

Highlight Songs

All the songs are excellent, with special emphasis on tracks 2, 4 and 8. "Freedom Call", "Farewell" and "The Quest". All songs are similar but the exceptional melodies and varying tempos elevate these three songs above the others.

"Freedom Call" is a 5:35 minute, medium fast tempo piece with strong orchestral elements. It also features a strong guitar solo in the bridge.

"Farewell" is a 4:06 minute, medium paced, somewhat anthem sounding song again with extensive orchestral accompaniment.

At 7:35 minutes "The Quest" longest song on the album. It is also the `piece de resistance`, a song that I consider in the top echelons of my favorites. For me it is truly inspiring, starting out with a subtle piano intro and then the sound explodes around you. It has somewhat of a chugging beat.

Great performance.......2003-08-01

This album is the first FREEDOM CALL I've heard. I like the music n' the lyrics that Chris n' Dan wrote. The songs is very power n' epic glorious metal. I know that Dan is a member of GAMMA RAY n' I feel that I must try to listen this band, n' you know Sascha is a member of HELLOWEEN now!! Well you won't regret it if you buy this record. Freedom to us all!! Glory to you!!!!!!