Frozen Crown – War Hearts

I have seen this band live several times as support so far and what I talk about today makes me hungry for another time or even more and especially on a headliner tour. Italian Power/Symphonic-Metalists Frozen Crown release their fifth album, the first one under the label of Napalm Records and with six members. After the fulminant “Call Of The North” it is now time for the “War Hearts”. I also interviewed guitarist and founder Federico Mondella a few days before the tour started and their album release, so pay attention to this interesting and detailed interview. Otherwise, here we go.

 

War Hearts

War Hearts

Not requiring any intro or prelude, the album starts with the title track featuring Jade’s clean and epic vocals at full force before guitars take over and the song even speeds up like a galloping war horse. It is difficult to define all the layers of guitars, which are far too complex for a brief and superficial listening. You can listen to it a hundred times and still find something new in it. What an explosion of sounds!

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Steel And Gold

The wild ride continues with the second song, maybe not as tight as the title track and maybe slightly easier to listen to, but only maybe. This is pure f*ucking metal energy performed extremely fast and in a melodic kind of way by six very skilled musicians. These two songs are like twins and simply fit together as ebony and ivory on a piano.

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To Live To Die

It is the second shortest song which comes along as the third track, or should I better say attack? I wonder when there is time to take a breath, we remain nearly on full speed. And there lies a truth in the song’s title: We are all born and live to die one day. It is up to you to make the best out of the time in between.

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Night Of The Wolf

Let’s get into wildlife with the fourth song. Although the night is dark and we should be careful walking around, we don’t slow down. Another song full of raw energy, great harmonies, and wild triple guitar solos.

On Silver Wings

For the first time we don’t ride a race with neck breaking speed. No, we fly instead. It is up to you to decide, if these silver wings are those of an angel, Pegasus or a supersonic jet. As much as I like the romantic idea of Pegasus’ silver wings, these might rather be those of a supersonic jet though.

Edge Of Reality

When you are sitting on the edge of reality, you are also sitting on the edge of paradise. It is just a small, dotted line dividing them, and it is easy to overcome if you believe in it. But paradise is the place for the last rest of fallen warriors as well. Sit at the edge and wait for their comeback in this full speed tournament.

Bloodlines

Half a dozen or even more guitars open this song until Jade’s vocals take over control. She plays with the words just like an innocent child with its toys. But she is a master of disguise, a wolf as a lamb in the realm of lies. Thus, where lies the truth?

I Am The Wind

Maybe this one gives you the answer. It starts very symphonic and for the very first time not as fast as the previous tracks. It is far from a mid-tempo though. The wind builds up from a light breeze to a thunderstorm and if you listen carefully and hear the silent whispers, you indeed will find the answer.

King Of The Sky

This is the prelude I would have expected as the intro of the album. Instead, this short and orchestral instrumental leads us to the final and longest song of the whole album. Decide for yourself, if you see it as a part of it, or as an independent piece of music.

Ice Dragon

Do you know the “Song of Ice and Fire”? Do you remember one of the dragons becoming an ice dragon? Here we are! It picks up the previous melody again with its guitar harmonies. Clean vocals start telling a story. This song is so much a “Game of Thrones” song, that it would deserve to be part of another or additional or better season than the final one or at least to be part of the “House of the Dragons” soundtrack. The tension building up between guitars and two vocalists is nearly unbearable and leads into a choir of angels which fades away in the background making room for perfect guitar work. I fully understand why this is Federico’s favourite song of the album and I fully agree with him. I’ve rarely listened to a more exciting song in this genre. Da Capo!

A concept album or not?

It is amazing how the songs of the album build up on each other like a red thread or a concept. They sound like one piece, more like a musical or opera than a collection of random songs on a normal album. All songs are cleverly arranged and thought through to the last small detail. This is a perfection in music on a very high level. The sound still has its roughness though all songs are arranged very melodically and mostly very fast. Congratulations to mixer and producer beside the six artists of Frozen Crown. You have created an outstanding piece of art. As I have already written, Da Capo! And congratulations to Napalm Records for signing this band. The future belongs to Frozen Crown.

 

Short Facts

 

Experience FROZEN CROWN on tour in 2024:
KAMELOT’s Awaken The World Tour 2024
FROZEN CROWN as special guest with Ad Infinitum and Blackbriar

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Online:  

Frozen Crown

Webshop

Please buy merch and physical music or downloads from the bands official sources and don’t stream it for free because it steals your artists’ income.

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Photo Credit: Federico Mondelli, Alessia Lanzone

Live gig photos by FriendX aka Mr. Deep, Frankfurt April 2023

Proof reading and additional input by DerminBoad