Freternia - A Nightmare Story


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Arise Metal
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 50:00:00

Freternia are a heavy power metal band, once again from Sweden, who play that speedy, addictive metal that is instantly recognisable - a benefit and a curse in these saturated metal times.

This is Freternia's second album following Warchants and Fairytales and everything about this album is atypical for power metal from the song-structures (intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, concluding chorus) to the melodies (Iron Maiden, you have a lot to answer for). What makes this stand out, to a point, is that vocalist Pasi Humppi has melodically rough vocals who remains strong, powerful, and also heavily accented at times. Not to say that the other members are incidental but they certainly don't bring too many things new to the genre, deciding to remain well-constrained by power metal's leather-gripped reign.

To be brutally honest, A Nightmare Story is an average album but one dominated by riff-oriented, galloping heavy metal. The songs are explained via a story conveyed on the sleeve and tells the tales of a world called Grimbor. Whilst some bands reach for the lofty greatness of power metal heaven (Dragonforce or Lost Horizon as classic examples), others are content to just do their thing and enjoy the moment whilst it lasts. And it is this seat where Freternia finds a home, which is disappointing for a band whom I believe has a better than average talent.

When it comes to power metal, I don't really care for originality or for how big a band is. To me, if it sounds good and if it fills a niche of fast and catchy metal, then it can work, and whilst Freternia will not be the next saviour of power metal, nor should they be confined to the bin. They do their thing, and they do it well, and for a short while this release is enjoyable. But I don't think this will have as much long-term enjoyment as others in the genre.

Similar To: Blind Guardian, Edguy, Sonata Arctica

[This review originally appeared December 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Grimbor The Great / Arrival / The Dark Side / Shadowdancers / The Saviour / The Unexpected / New Hope / Battle Of Minds / Requiem

Musicians:
Pasi Humppi - lead vocals
Tomas Wäppling - guitars
Martin Tilander - drums
Tommie Johansson - keyboards
Peter Wiberg - bass
Niclas Karlsson - guitar

Discography:
Warchants & Fairytales (2000)
A Nightmare Story (2002)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin SE

Added: December 18th 2004
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 2928
Language: english

  

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