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Rating: "The Crystal Empire," the third work by the German power metallers who, with their music (dubbed gay metal due to its cheerfulness), are making a name for themselves worldwide. An album half a step below "Eternity" and "Stairway to Fairyland" but consistent with the excellent works of Freedom Call.
Let's analyze the songs on the album. The album opens with The King of the Crystal Empire, an intro that leads us into Freedom Call, a wonderful song that will surely become a staple for this band and will be performed many times live (the beginning vaguely resembles Fear of the Dark [in terms of musical sound, not comparable to the Maiden's masterpiece]). Then we encounter Rise Up and Farewell. The first doesn't engage much but is easy to listen to, while the second is introduced by all the band members (who sing it together for a short period) and then we hear the typical Freedom song, cheerful, carefree, and innocent. But here comes Pharao, a great song with a fast keyboard intro that approaches the gothic and continues with the usual choruses well sung by Bay.
Continuing to listen to the album, we aggressively arrive at Call of Fame (similar in the initial part to Dancing with Tears in My Eyes), the latter present in the LP "Taragon." We come to Heart of the Rainbow with a nice keyboard intro reminiscent of 'Rhapsody'. Then comes The Quest (the longest song ever composed by Freedom Call, over 7 minutes) and Ocean, very beautiful, powerful, fast with Bay and Dan performing excellently.
The album closes with Palace of Fantasy and The Wanderer, other cheerful, carefree songs that flow quickly and enjoyably. Another good album for the Germans accused of not making metal because their songs are deemed too joyful and this can't be allowed in this type of music.
But Freedom Call continues to amaze and produce good albums, but above all, they prove wrong those who accuse them (quite unjustly). Keep it up.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Freedom Call (05:33)
An island lies in the sea of stars
So far from time
The wisemen came foretelling my heart
I'll reach for the sun
Deep inside my eyes you see the tears of long ago
Telling tales of loneliness before
Standing by my side you feel the fears of once before
Telling tales of emptiness and more
Strangers in the night
Rising up to fight
They're rising up to bust the demon's spell
Freedom Call, the cry of barren souls
The surveillance of mankind will fall
Freedom Call, the cry of barren souls
Under surveillance we never will fall
I spent all my life to get salvation from afar
I've seen stairs, arisen from below
Strangers in the night
Rising up to fight
They're rising up to bust the demon's spell
Freedom Call, the cry of barren souls
The surveillance of mankind will fall
Freedom Call, the cry of barren souls
Under surveillance we never will fall
Once upon a time, our world was in decline
On a storytellers night, I felt the breeze of life
And I saw the rays of light, across the burning sky
When the master sent the sign, reflecting all devine
Freedom Call, the cry of barren souls
The surveillance of mankind will fall
Freedom Call, the cry of barren souls
Under surveillance we never will fall
03 Rise Up (04:05)
Who wants to live forever
Here in a world of shame
Living under pressure
Hearts are filled with pain
It's time
Time to break free
Time for a jouney through dimensions
A neverending ride
Rays of hope from somewhere
Come from deep inside
Over and over I'm lost in bad dreams
And into the void I stare
Rise up to heaven, where eden lies
A lost asylum, somewhere beyond
Rise up forever, out of the dark
Pain and sorrow, left in the past
I'll carry on to safe my life
I'll ride on the wings of storm
I'm still alive, free inside
My heart and soul reborn
Over and over I'm counting my tears
I'm alone with all my fears
Chorus/Solo
Over and over I'm lost in bad dreams
And I'm counting all my tears
Chorus
04 Farewell (04:06)
Together we march in time
Forever for the kingdom
Farewell to everyone
Brothers we are wild on the run
Riding high the final Race
We' ve never done before
Challenging our destiny
Brothers we are wild on the run
We carry on to make our way
Make our dreams come true
Gliding into another day
The world is our home
Welcome to the dome of pleasure
Welcome to the hall of fame
Farewell to everyone
Farewell again
Fly to survive, right to the sky
Believe in the spell of the dawning day
Fly to survive, right to the sky
High on the wings of insanity
Living in our wonderland
We never had before
We return to fantasy
Touch the heavens door
05 Pharao (04:43)
Ramses - Pharao
Wiseman - Giant in the sky
Ramses - Pharao
God of wisdom - King of paradise
You're the king and the priest
Creator of life
Of a nation strong and tight
Your word is the law
All knowing, all wise
With mercy in your eyes
The god of deliverance sends a sign
He's the god of deliverance
A love that's stronger than hate
A will that's stronger than fate
Chosen to rule the land from the nile
Born to sacrifice your life
Bridge/Chorus
Without you, we feel alone and sad
Without you, we feel the void inside
Bridge/Chorus
I'm the river, the giver of life
I'm the one, your will to survive
I'm the sun, the source of light
I'm the moon, diamond in the night
I'm the air, the wind and the breeze
I'm the one, the bringer of ease
I'm the breath of eternity
I'm the hand of destiny
I'm the air, the wind and the breeze
I'm the one, the bringer of ease
I lead your soul to eternity
I set your spirit free
08 The Quest (07:35)
My world around me
Lies down so cold and bare
I'm a stranger in this emptiness
Close to deep despair
Where are the sun rays
That light my barren soul
Hear my silent cry
At the end of the sunset
The night is closing in
I'm praying to the queen of the moon
Send me an angel
On my way through the sea of tears
Be the path of my destiny
And if the quest lasts forever
Out there in the void
I'll bring the eyes of creation
Back to my world
I'm your master, master of the night
Evil Pastor, devil in disguise
Save us, Save us, guardian of the light
Save us, Save us, lead us home tonight
I'm the master, master of the night
An evil laughter, death personified
Save us, Save us, be our guiding light
Save us, Save us, bring us back to paradise
Will my quest last forever?
Out there in the world
I'm searching the eyes of the world
And I pray for salvation
I can hear the children cry
I will bring back paradise
Back to my world
Until your quest is finally over
I'm waiting in the night
And in the end your soul will be my price
I' ll take you far away from timem, straight into my world
You will stay forever more, here in chains
Through my chrystal I see, my tears
I see human life, a world in harmony
Hear the children crying, so clear
Calling from the Sky
11 The Wanderer (03:46)
Here I'm a wandering man
I'm walking through a barren land
I lost my way, I lost my home
In deep despair, I'm riding on
Guardian, where are you now
Ease my heart and fill my soul
Carry on, dream your dreams
Your lust for life is the reason to live
Carry on, hold your ground
Alive and free, you'll never go down
I call upon the holy sun
A million miles away from home
My will is gone, my deeds are done
A dusty road, I'm draging along
Guardian - talk to me now
Ease my heart and fill my soul
Chorus
In moments of silence when you are alone
You feel the desire is burning still strong
Open your heart and remember the day
When I sent you out on your way
I'm a wandering man, the heir of the crown
A lonely knight, I'm roaming around
I'll never rest, I'll never give in
Until my quest, has come to the end
Chorus
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