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Call Of The North

    
       
       
       
     
             
Frozen Crown are a power metal band from Italy founded in 2017 by singer and multi instrumentalist Federico Mondelli (Volturian, Nocturna). The band have been prolific since forming, releasing four albums in just five years - 'The Fallen King' (2018), 'Crowned In Frost' (2019), 'Winterbane' (2021), and 'Call Of The North', released in 2023.    
             
The band have surged to the forefront of the European power metal scene, touring with bands such as Elvenking and DragonForce, and performing at Metalfest (in the Czech Republic) and Sabaton Open Air (in Sweden). Frozen Crown - led by the multi instrumental magician Mondelli and singer Giada "Jade" Etro - are a tour de force, delivering a mesmerising blend of power, speed, and traditional heavy metal. The bands new album is a powerful ten song avalanche of down-tuned guitars, a little symphonic metal, a lot of power metal, and an array of magical orchestrations. 'Call Of The North' is brought to life with the barnstorming title song 'Call Of The North' - complete with ferocious guitar work and searing vocals. The band are absolutely on fire, melding a thrash metal attitude with their scorching power metal roots - 'Call Of The North' (the song) fierce and feisty yet immensely melodic too!    
             
A simply breath taking opening salvo, becomes even more breathless, with the red hot 'Fire In The Sky' setting new land speed records as it hurtles forth! The blistering pace is emphatic, the head bang ability enormous, the band displaying a purpose and intent that is beyond incredible! Yet Frozen Crown still manage to include some mid paced passages of stunning composition and magical guitar work - the band more mature than they've ever been, sitting proudly at the forefront of the power metal scene with heads held high. And quite rightly too, their brand of power metal simply superb! With heavier guitars, 'Black Heart' is a bludgeoning slab of heavy power metal - replete with the bands phenomenally melodious intent! The opening triple has been mesmerising, marvellous, and simply magnificent. And if you thought the bands first three albums were great - 'Call Of The North' (the album) is even greater! Especially the energy levels - simply astounding. The band incorporate many acoustic passages throughout the album, breaking up the power and giving listeners a little breather - the intro to 'Victorious' as sublime as anything you're ever likely to hear, Etro's soaring voice as beautiful as the singer herself. And when 'Victorious' breaks - the speed is phenomenal! Metalheads, mosh pits and head bangers from all over the world wrecking their necks in a vain attempt to keep up!    
             
Frozen Crown have forged a reputation as one of the best power metal bands around - and in just a few short years. Imagine what the band can do in the next few years! 'In A Moment' surging forward with a melodic mastery second to none, the heaviness, the searing power, the intricate guitar work - all trademarks of the Frozen Crown sound. A sound that has grown to become immense, 'Call Of The North' (the album) the bands most adventurous and technical release to date. Everything about this album is bigger, better, and more bombastic than previously - 'Legion' the fastest song heard so far! For the first twenty seconds at least, with incredible speed and superb shredding taking centre stage. Adopting a mid paced mid tempo thunderstorm, 'Legion' is a gear changing avalanche of traditional heavy metal melded with the bands root power metal sound. Is there nothing this band can't do? Apparently not! Frozen Crown not resting on their laurels or past glories, continue to push musical horizons further than ever before - 'Until The End' a thunderous rampage of heavy hitting proportions, mixing speed, power, symphonic, and traditional metal elements. All to great effect - the band standing head and shoulders above many of their contemporaries.    
             
Pure power metal rises to the surface in the mighty shape of 'Now Or Never', thundering forth with a pulsating rhythm, shaking the ground as it gallops on by, banging the heads of every listener, fan and follower. There is simply no stopping Frozen Crown - the band a roller coaster with enough momentum to keep going for a very long time! I truly believe we're witnessing something special here - and with the magical maestro Mondelli at the helm, the world is Frozen Crown's oyster! Just watch them go! And bringing a rabble rousing call to arms, anthemic nature to the fore, 'One For All' is a mid tempo get together that is simply mind-blowing! The oomph and pizzazz is outstanding, Frozen Crown delivering an in-concert moment that's gonna be so fucking awesome and amazing - I wanna be there, front and centre, enjoying an unmissable experience! Now sadly, all good things come to an end - like this album. But remember to press the replay button to listen again, and again, and again! And again - 'Call Of The North' an album that deserves to played time and time again. Right - the final song, 'Far Away', a seven and a half minute monster, featuring everything the band have in their arsenal. From the slow burning intro, through searing guitars and blistering speed, soaring vocals and huge head bang ability, 'Far Away' is a cracking finale to what has simply been a terrific album.    
             
Overall, a technically superb album with fantastic arrangements, perfect guitar work and incredible vocals - 'Call Of The North' is excellent.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
Review is also featured at Metal-Roos    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
The Fallen King      
           
"a superb and exhilarating display of power metal, featuring galloping rhythms and varied vocal styles, this album is an exciting and magical listen" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Crowned In Frost      
           
"a fast and furious offering from a rising band, making an emphatic mark in the power metal genre with their brand of aggressive, fast paced heavy metal" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Winterbane      
           
"a scorching blend of power and traditional heavy metal, 'Winterbane' is an infectious and highly addictive album" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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