A melodic, prog-tinged German power metal unit based out of Nuremberg, Freedom Call continue in the classic vein of regional decibel-pushers like Gamma Ray, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Formed in 1998 around the talents of vocalist/guitarist Chris Bay, drummer Dan Zimmermann, guitarist Sascha Gerstner, and bassist Ilker Ersin, the group debuted in 1999 with Stairway to Fairyland. An album title that fits perfectly in two respects: ‘Silver Romance’ is the name of the latest release by southern German melodic power metal act Freedom Call. The moniker not only stands for the band’s 25th anniversary – referred to by singer/guitarist and band founder Chris Bay tongue-in-cheek as “our silver wedding anniversary” – but also applies to the content of the recording: “Qualities such as clarity, freedom and lightness are attributed to silver as a precious metal,” explains Bay, adding: “Silver is also said to strengthen your self-confidence and imagination. These are all features that also suit Freedom Call and that we’ve incorporated into our new material, both musically and lyrically.” Chris Bay and bandmates Lars Rettkowitz (guitar), Francesco Ferraro (bass) and Ramy Ali (drums), the latter having returned from a private hiatus, have recorded more than a dozen new tracks for ‘Silver Romance’. Without giving too much away: The result is the most diverse and colourful album in the band’s history to date.