# Freedom Call > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Freedom_Call > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Freedom_Call.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Call > Source revision: 1352471967 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|German power metal band}} {{redirect|Taragon|the herb|Tarragon}} {{for|the EP by Angra|Freedom Call (EP)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Freedom Call | image = Freedom Call Band 2.jpg | caption = Freedom Call (2013) | image_upright = 1.2 | alias = | origin = [Nuremberg](/source/Nuremberg), Germany | genre = [Power metal](/source/Power_metal) | years_active = 1998–present | label = [SPV/Steamhammer](/source/SPV_GmbH) | website = {{URL|freedom-call.net}} | current_members = Chris Bay
Lars Rettkowitz
Francesco Ferraro
Ramy Ali | past_members = [Dan Zimmermann](/source/Dan_Zimmermann)
[Sascha Gerstner](/source/Sascha_Gerstner)
[Cédric "Cede" Dupont](/source/C%C3%A9dric_%22Cede%22_Dupont)
Nils Neumann
Armin Donderer
Samy Saemann
Klaus Sperling
Ilker Ersin }} thumb|Singer Chris Bay at Rockharz Open Air 2019 thumb|Guitarist Lars Rettkowitz at Rockharz Open Air 2019 thumb|right|Singer Chris Bay and Guitarist Lars Rettkowitz at Rockharz Open Air 2019 thumb|Bassist Francesco Ferraro at Rockharz Open Air 2019 thumb|Drummer Timmi Breideband at Rockharz Open Air 2019 '''Freedom Call''' is a German [power metal](/source/power_metal) band formed in 1998. The band tours regularly and the current line-up includes one original member, lead vocalist and songwriter, Chris Bay. Freedom Call has released 14 albums in total, eleven of these studio albums. == Biography == === Background === Freedom Call's frontman Chris Bay gained a lot of his vocal ability from his grandfather, an [opera](/source/opera) singer with the [Berlin State Opera](/source/Berlin_State_Opera), and his mother, who was a sought-after chorus singer. When only seven he began to play the guitar and by the time he was ten had tried his hand at the piano.{{cite journal |first=Roland |last=Hyams |title=Freedom Call – Second 'Crystal Empire' Album From Top German Progressive Speed Metal Band Out February 5th 2001 On Spv Through Koch |periodical=Work Hard PR Press Release |publisher=Work Hard PR |location=[London](/source/London), England |page=1 |date=November 2000}} Having played in various local rock bands, Bay moved to [Hamburg](/source/Hamburg) in 1990 and got his first serious gig when he worked with Zed Yago. From 1993 to 1996 Chris was a member of former [Victory](/source/Victory_(band)) guitarist Hermann Frank's band Moon Doc, with whom he recorded the albums "Moon Doc" (1995) and "Get Mooned" (1996). === Founding (1997–1998) === In 1998 Chris Bay and old friend [Daniel Zimmermann](/source/Dan_Zimmermann) formed Freedom Call during an off-period for the latter's main band, [Gamma Ray](/source/Gamma_Ray_(band)) with the stated goal of making "Happy Metal".{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/freedomcall.php |title=Freedom Call biography |publisher=metallian.com |date=27 June 2021 |access-date=18 April 2024}} The two had started writing songs together towards the end of 1997.{{cite web |url=http://www.headbanger.ru/interviews/351?lng=en|title=Freedom Call Happy People Who Make Happy Music |publisher=headbanger.ru |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=23 July 2015}} They eventually completed a six-song demo ''Freedom Call'' with well-known producer [Charlie Bauerfeind](/source/Charlie_Bauerfeind), who offered the tape to several record companies. At the same time, the Freedom Call line up was completed by Ilker Ersin on bass guitar and [Sascha Gerstner](/source/Sascha_Gerstner) on guitar. In 1998 Chris and Dan had seen Sascha playing in a [cover band](/source/cover_band). === ''Stairway to Fairyland'' and ''Crystal Empire'' (1999–2001) === Freedom Call's debut album, ''Stairway to Fairyland'' was released on 7 May 1999 by NTS Records. ''Stairway to Fairyland'' would sell over 35,000 copies in the first year of its release. On 25 May 1999 Freedom Call made their live debut with a tour of France as support band for [Angra](/source/Angra_(band)) and [Edguy](/source/Edguy). At the end of August, Freedom Call commenced recording of the five-track mini LP ''Taragon''. [Taragon](/source/Taragon_(EP)) featured new songs, a cover version of [Ultravox](/source/Ultravox)'s "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes", a new version of "Stairway to Fairyland", a new version of "Tears of Taragon" with [Biff Byford](/source/Biff_Byford), singer with [Saxon](/source/Saxon_(band)) narrating the "Tale of Taragon" on it. There was also a bonus track for [Japan](/source/Japan) called "Kingdom Come". By the end of 1999, Freedom Call had entered the studio again to record their second album ''Crystal Empire'', this released on 22 January 2001. ''[Crystal Empire](/source/Crystal_Empire)'' was promoted as the logical musical continuation of ''Stairway To Fairyland''. In March 2001 Sascha Gerstner left Freedom Call (he would later join [Helloween](/source/Helloween)). Gerstner was eventually replaced by [Cédric "Cede" Dupont](/source/C%C3%A9dric_%22Cede%22_Dupont), the [Swiss](/source/Switzerland) guitarist of [Symphorce](/source/Symphorce). === ''Eternity'' and ''The Circle of Life'' (2002–2006) === In the middle of January 2002 the new lineup began recording a new album called ''[Eternity](/source/Eternity_(Freedom_Call_album))''. Dan and Chris produced ''Eternity'' on their own this time as Charlie Bauerfeind was not available. He was, however, responsible for the drum recordings and the final mix. ''Eternity'' was released on 3 June 2002 by [Steamhammer](/source/SPV_GmbH). Later that year, Freedom Call was invited on tour with [Blind Guardian](/source/Blind_Guardian). During this tour they recorded the live album, ''[Live Invasion](/source/Live_Invasion)'' together with Charlie Bauerfeind in Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and Munich. ''Live Invasion'' was released on 10 May 2004 by SPV. The [keyboard player](/source/keyboard_player) on this tour, Nils Neumann, was soon invited to become the fifth member of the band. After an extended break, the next album ''[The Circle of Life](/source/The_Circle_of_Life_(album))'' was recorded at Hansen Studio, [Hamburg](/source/Hamburg) and FC Studios, [Nuremberg](/source/Nuremberg) from August to October 2004. ''The Circle of Life'' was released on 21 May 2005 by SPV. Shortly after the release of ''The Circle of Life'', both [Cédric "Cede" Dupont](/source/C%C3%A9dric_%22Cede%22_Dupont) and Ilker Ersin decided to leave Freedom Call (independently of each other). Replacements were eventually announced in the form of newcomer guitarist Lars Rettkowitz and Armin Donderer, formerly of [Paradox](/source/Paradox_(German_band)). === ''Dimensions'' (2007–2008) === A new album with the title ''[Dimensions](/source/Dimensions_(Freedom_Call_album))'' was released on 20 April 2007. Commenting on ''Dimensions'', Daniel Zimmerman said: ''"Even if the two predecessors, ''Eternity'' and ''The Circle of Life'', took very different directions, both albums had a number of strong moments. ''Dimensions'' combines the most successful elements from both albums, in other words: we included our penchant for fast and very melodic numbers from ''Eternity'' with the more contemporary, bombastic components of ''The Circle of Life''."''{{cite journal |first=Roland |last=Hyams |title=GERMAN POWER METAL BAND'S FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM 'DIMENSIONS' RELEASED APRIL 23RD ON SPV RECORDS|periodical=Work Hard PR Press Release |publisher=Work Hard PR |location=[London](/source/London), England |page=1 |date=March 2007}} The songs "The Wanderer" and "Dimensions" were also used in the online rhythm game "Flash Flash Revolution". === ''Legend of the Shadowking'' and ''Land of the Crimson Dawn'' (2009–2012) === In March 2009, the band announced that they were putting the finishing touches to a new album, ''[Legend of the Shadowking](/source/Legend_of_the_Shadowking)'', and that they had parted ways with bassist Armin Donderer, who would be replaced by Samy Saemann.{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/73024/freedom_call|title=Freedom Call putting finishing touches on new album; new bassist announced|access-date=1 April 2009|date=30 March 2009|publisher=idiomag}} ''Legend of the Shadowking'' was released on 29 January 2010 by SPV. For the 2010 touring cycle, Dan Zimmerman announced that he would be replaced by Klaus Sperling as during this time he [Zimmerman] would be on the road with [Gamma Ray](/source/Gamma_Ray_(band)). It was later confirmed on the band's website that Zimmermann had officially left the band. ''[Live in Hellvetia](/source/Live_in_Hellvetia)'' was the first live [DVD](/source/DVD) by Freedom Call. It was released on 20 May 2011 by SPV. ''Live in Hellvetia'' was recorded on 29 December 2010 in Z7 [Pratteln](/source/Pratteln), [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland). The title of the next Freedom Call studio album, ''[Land of the Crimson Dawn](/source/Land_of_the_Crimson_Dawn)'', was announced in September 2011. Chris Bay had previously announced that the band was working on the album and it would be released sometime in February 2012. ''Land of the Crimson Dawn'' was released 24 February 2012 by SPV.{{cite journal |first=Roland |last=Hyams |title=New 'Land of the Crimson Dawn' Studio Album released 27 February on Steamhammer / SPV|periodical=Work Hard PR Press Release |publisher=Work Hard PR |location=[London](/source/London), England |page=1 |date=February 2012}} === ''Beyond'' and ''Master of Light'' (2013–present) === ''Ages of Light'' (1998–2013) is the first ''best-of'' compilation by Freedom Call. It was released on 26 April 2013 by SPV. The band announced on 15 September 2013 that they were working on a new album, ''[Beyond](/source/Beyond_(Freedom_Call_album))'', with a new lineup. Ilker Ersin returned to the band to resume bass duties and Ramy Ali joined the band on drums.{{cite journal |first=Roland |last=Hyams |title=Uplifting New Studio Album 'Beyond' released February 24th on Steamhammer / SPV|periodical=Work Hard PR Press Release |publisher=Work Hard PR |location=[London](/source/London), England |page=1 |date=February 2013}} A music video was filmed on 15 December 2013 for the song ''Union of the Strong''. The shoot took place in the vicinity of [Nuremberg](/source/Nuremberg) and [Franconia](/source/Franconia), the song was taken from the album ''Beyond'' that was released on 21 February 2014. A vinyl version of ''Beyond'' was released on 14 March 2014. ''Beyond'' was produced by Chris Bay and Stephan Ernst at the Separate Sound Studios in [Nuremberg](/source/Nuremberg) and at Freedom Call's own studio. In May 2015 Freedom Call released ''666 Weeks Beyond Eternity'', a reissued edition of their 2002 studio album, ''Eternity''. As the title suggests, ''666 Weeks Beyond Eternity'' was released 666 weeks after the release of the original album. The re-issue is a two disc set featuring the original ''Eternity'' album which has been [remastered](/source/remastered), plus it includes some bonus content on the second disc including live tracks, acoustic tracks, special versions of their songs, as well as a new song written exclusively for this release.{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/reviews/cd_3/f_2/freedom-call-666.htm|title=Freedom Call – 666 Weeks Beyond Eternity|access-date=17 June 2015|publisher=metal-temple.com|archive-date=17 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617212230/http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/reviews/cd_3/f_2/freedom-call-666.htm|url-status=dead}} In support of the album release, the 666 Weeks Beyond Eternity Tour 2015 occurred between October 2015 (Glasgow, UK; 9 Oct) and December 2015 (Augsburg, Germany; 22 Dec).{{cite web|url=http://www.freedom-call.net/events/|title=Freedom Call – 666 Weeks Beyond Eternity tour|access-date=23 October 2015|publisher=freedomcall.net|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126180505/http://www.freedom-call.net/events/|url-status=dead}} In July 2016 Freedom Call launched a new Official Fanclub on [Facebook](/source/Facebook).{{cite web|url=http://www.freedom-call.net/homepage/|title=Freedom Call Homepage|access-date=9 November 2016|publisher=freedomcall.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109223112/http://www.freedom-call.net/homepage/|archive-date=9 November 2016|url-status=dead}} Freedom Call's ninth studio album, ''Master of Light'' was released on 11 November 2016 (18 November in USA). The first single taken from the album (''Hammer of the Gods'') was released on 8 July 2016. A promotional video for the track ''Metal is for Everyone'' became available on 2 November 2016. Following a release party at Rockcafe Brown Sugar in Nürnberg on 10 November 2016, the four-city ''Master of Light'' Latin America tour ran from 25 November until 2 December 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.freedom-call.net/master-of-light-tour-2017/|title=Freedom Call News|access-date=9 November 2016|publisher=freedomcall.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109222855/http://www.freedom-call.net/master-of-light-tour-2017/|archive-date=9 November 2016|url-status=dead}} The ''Master of Light'' tour which began in 2016 continued through 2017 and in to 2018. Countries visited as part of the 2017–2018 legs of the tour included Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the UK. A number of festival dates also took place, with others scheduled for 2018 that included 70,000 Tons of Metal from 1 to 5 February 2018,{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/FreedomCallOfficial/|title=Freedom Call Home|access-date=15 November 2017|publisher=Freedom Call}}{{cite web|url=http://freedom-call.net/tour/|title=Freedom Call Tour dates|access-date=15 November 2017|publisher=Freedom Call}} and include Metalfest Open Air 2018 and Leyendas Del Rock 2018.{{cite web|url=http://freedom-call.net/tour/|title=Freedom Call Tour dates|access-date=21 February 2018|publisher=Freedom Call}} The band's 2024 full-length album was called Silver Romance and released in May by Steamhammer.{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/freedomcall.php |title=Freedom Call band |publisher=metallian |date=27 March 2024 |access-date=18 April 2024}} === Chris Bay solo === In November 2017 Chris Bay announced that he would be releasing his first solo album, ''Chasing The Sun'', on Steamhammer/SPV records on 23 February 2018. The first single from the album "Radio Starlight" was released on 1 December 2017. Of the album and its content Bay commented: "I permanently write songs and am constantly working on ideas in the studio... ...that's why I've collected a whole lot of tracks over the years that on the one hand don't really suit Freedom Call and on the other are just too good to gather dust in my archive."{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/freedom-call-frontman-chris-bay-to-release-chasing-the-sun-solo-album-in-february/|title=Freedom Call frontman Chris Bay to release Chasing The Sun solo album in February|date=10 November 2017 |access-date=15 November 2017|publisher=blabbermouth.net}} The second single from the album ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVN23XMoD-I/ Hollywood Dancer]) was released on 2 February 2018. == Members == *Chris Bay – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (1998–present) *Lars Rettkowitz – guitar (2005–present) *Francesco Ferraro – bass (2019–present) *Ramy Ali – drums (2013–2018, 2023–present) '''Live members''' *Klaus Sperling – drums (2010–2013, 2020–present) '''Former members''' *[Sascha Gerstner](/source/Sascha_Gerstner) – guitar (1998–2001) *[Cédric "Cede" Dupont](/source/C%C3%A9dric_%22Cede%22_Dupont) – guitar (2001–2005) *Ilker Ersin – bass (1998–2005, 2013–2018) *Armin Donderer – bass (2005–2009) *Samy Saemann – bass (2009–2013) *[Dan Zimmermann](/source/Dan_Zimmermann) – drums (1998–2010) *Timmi Breideband – drums (2019) *Nils Neumann – keyboards (2004–2005) *[Rolf Köhler](/source/Rolf_K%C3%B6hler) - choir vocals (1998-2001: seasons musician) === Timeline === {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:15 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1998 till:{{#time: m/d/Y }} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:1998 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1999 Colors = id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Choir value:pink legend:Choir id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards id:live value:yellow legend:Live id:Studio value:black legend:Studio_releases id:bars value:gray(0.9) BackgroundColors = bars:bars LineData = layer:back color:Studio at:05/31/1999 at:01/23/2001 at:06/03/2002 at:03/21/2005 at:04/20/2007 at:02/01/2010 at:02/24/2012 at:02/21/2014 at:11/11/2016 at:08/23/2019 at:05/10/2024 BarData = bar:Chris text:"Chris Bay" bar:Rolf text:"Rolf Köhler †" bar:Sascha text:"Sascha Gerstner" bar:Cedric text:"Cedric Dupont" bar:Lars text:"Lars Rettkowitz" bar:Ilker text:"Ilker Ersin" bar:Armin text:"Armin Donderer" bar:Samy text:"Samy Saemann" bar:Franc text:"Francesco Ferraro" bar:Dan text:"Dan Zimmermann" bar:Klaus text:"Klaus Sperling" bar:Ramy text:"Ramy Ali" bar:Timmi text:"Timmi Breideband" bar:Nils text:"Nils Neumann" PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Chris from:start till:end color:vocals Bar:Rolf from:start till:12/31/2001 color:choir bar:Chris from:start till:end color:keyboards width:3 bar:Chris from:start till:end color:guitar width:7 bar:Sascha from:start till:10/01/2001 color:guitar bar:Cedric from:10/01/2001 till:11/02/2005 color:guitar bar:Lars from:11/01/2005 till:end color:guitar bar:Ilker from:start till:11/01/2005 color:bass bar:Ilker from:03/01/2013 till:01/01/2019 color:bass bar:Armin from:11/01/2005 till:07/01/2009 color:bass bar:Samy from:07/01/2009 till:03/01/2013 color:bass bar:Franc from:01/01/2019 till:end color:bass bar:Dan from:start till:09/01/2010 color:drums bar:Klaus from:09/01/2010 till:03/01/2013 color:drums bar:Klaus from:01/01/2020 till:end color:drums bar:Klaus from:01/01/2020 till:end color:live width:3 bar:Ramy from:03/01/2013 till:01/01/2019 color:drums bar:Ramy from:01/01/2023 till:end color:drums bar:Timmi from:01/01/2019 till:12/31/2019 color:drums bar:Nils from:04/01/2004 till:02/07/2006 color:keyboards}} == Discography == upright=1.4|thumb|Freedom Call at Metal Frenzy 2018 === Studio albums === *''Stairway to Fairyland'' (1999) *''[Crystal Empire](/source/Crystal_Empire)'' (2001) *''[Eternity](/source/Eternity_(Freedom_Call_album))'' (2002) *''[The Circle of Life](/source/The_Circle_of_Life_(album))'' (2005) *''[Dimensions](/source/Dimensions_(Freedom_Call_album))'' (2007) *''[Legend of the Shadowking](/source/Legend_of_the_Shadowking)'' (2010) *''[Land of the Crimson Dawn](/source/Land_of_the_Crimson_Dawn)'' (2012) *''[Beyond](/source/Beyond_(Freedom_Call_album))'' (2014) *''[Master of Light](/source/Master_of_Light)'' (2016) *''M.E.T.A.L.'' (2019) *''Silver Romance'' (2024) === Live albums === *''Live Invasion'' (2004) *''Live in Hellvetia'' (2011) *''The M.E.T.A.L.Fest'' (2023) === Special releases === *''[Ages of Light](/source/Ages_of_Light)'' (Compilation) (2013) *''666 Weeks Beyond Eternity'' (Eternity re-release and remastered with bonus material) (2015) === Demo === *''Freedom Call demo'' (1998) === EPs/Singles === *''Taragon'' (1999) *''Silent Empire'' (Acoustic EP) (2001) *''Eternity'' (2002) *''Blackened Sun'' (2007) *''Mr. Evil / Innocent World'' (2007) *''Zauber der Nacht'' (2010) *''Rockin' Radio'' (2012) *''Power & Glory'' (2012) *''Union of the Strong'' (2014) *''Hammer of the Gods'' (2016) *''111 – the Number of the Angels'' (2019) *''The M.E.T.A.L. Fest'' (2023) *''Silver Romance'' (2024) *''In Quest of Love'' (2024) *''High Above'' (2024) *''Heavy Metal Happycore'' (2026) == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{commons category}} *{{official website}} *{{facebook}} *[https://www.facebook.com/OfficialFreedomCallFanclub/ Official Facebook fanclub] *[http://www.headbanger.ru/interviews/351?lng=en Chris Bay, Interview: "Happy People Who Make Happy Music" 28 March 2013] {{Freedom Call}} {{Authority control}} Category:German power metal musical groups Category:German symphonic metal musical groups Category:German musical quintets Category:Musical groups established in 1998 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Freedom Call](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Call) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Call?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.