by Joe Mis
— Sr. Columnist —
It is good to know that Power Metal is not a fading genre – a fact proven by the debut release from Italy’s Frozen Crown, entitled The Fallen King. Fronted by the dynamic voice of singer Giada “Jade” Etro (Ashes You Leave, Tystanden) and the talents of vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Federico Mondelli (Be The Wolf), Frozen Crown will be a “must have” for any fan of the genre – one that will not disappoint.
Frozen Crown’s sound is distinctly European Power Metal – intense, energetic, and always melodic. Refreshingly though, the band does not seem to want to fall into the now overcrowded “female fronted” Metal bin. They live and die on their vocals, but not just on Jade Etro’s lead. On many tracks, the vocal contributions of Mondelli (both clean and growled) are the driving force. Keyboard riffs, slashing guitars, booming bass, and manic drums are all here – making Frozen Crown’s sound a mix of mostly pure Power Metal with hints of Symphonic and Death thrown in for good measure.
“Fail No More”opens the release and sets the bar high thanks to the powerful voices of Etro and Mondelli and energetic performances by the entire band. The singers swap chorus and verses while avoiding the clichéd “Beauty and the Beast” tone. The upbeat “To Infinity” has a bit of an Amaranthe feel to it due to the overall flow and prominent keyboards while maintaining an overall “heaviness” that sets it apart. “Kings” cranks it back up, building on drums, bass, and guitar riffs. Etro digs deep and delivers a solid vocal performance but is overshadowed by the intense lead break and strong rhythm hooks – lots of great six-string fireworks here!
“I Am the Tyrant” is a mid-tempo heavy rocker with a fluid rhythm line. Mondelli takes the lead here and mixes his neat and clean vocals with well-placed growls during the chorus and later verses. The band works well here despite the markedly slower tempo, proving that they are not hooked on speed only. “The Shieldmaiden” is arguably the best of the release. It sums up all that is good about Frozen Crown – clean vocals, growls, intense and epic keys, symphonic flairs, slick guitar hooks and a great solo, insane drums, driving bass, and interesting tempo changes. The band definitely pulls out all the stops and leaves nothing on the table here, yet somehow manages to mix it all into a mature, controlled, and incredibly melodic track. “Chasing Lights” is almost shocking in contrast – a haunting power ballad built around guitar, keys, and great duet vocals. Hints of metalcore and melodic death metal appear in “Queen of Blades,” another vocal showcase for both Etro and Mondelli.
“Across the Sea” is another mid-tempo track built around the keys and a more gentle and expressive vocal line – one that may be Etro’s best. The epic “Everwinter” is classic Power/Symphonic Metal that features the best performances of the non-vocalists of the band. The super heavy “Netherstorm” wraps the release, giving free reign to Mondelli’s growling beast and Alberto Mezzanotte’s monster drums. One might even consider this track to be symphonic death metal – an apt closer!
The Fallen King is a truly exceptional debut album. Frozen Crown can be proud of this release, bringing its unique style to a crowded market, standing on the strength of pure talent and ability. They deliver the fast-paced yet Melodic Power Metal without using any clichés or crutches. Fans of the genre are certain to enjoy the performances, overall sound, and intelligent songwriting.
The Fallen King will leave fans wanting more – and paints a very bright future for Frozen Crown! Very highly recommended!
Genre: Power Metal
Band:
Giada “Jade” Etro (vocals)
Federico Mondelli (vocals, guitars, keyboards)
Talia Bellazecca (guitars)
Filipo Zavattari (bass)
Alberto Mezzanotte (drums)
Track Listing:
1. Fail No More
2. To Infinity
3. Kings
4. I Am the Tyrant
5. The Shieldmaiden
6. Chasing Lights
7. Queen of Blades
8. Across the Sea
9. Everwinter
10. Netherstorm
Label: Scarlet Records
Website: https://www.facebook.com/frozencrownofficial/
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(9 / 10)
