Freedom Call were formed in 1998 around the nucleus of old friends Chris Bray (vocals and guitars) and drummer Daniel Zimmerman, who was [and still is] also a member of Gamma Ray, with whom Freedom Call are touring Europe with throughout February and March 2010. Guitarist Lars Rettkowitz and bassist Samy Saemann complete the Freedom Call line-up. Freedom Call's debut album, 'Stairway to Fairyland', released in 1999, sold over 35,000 copies and firmly established the band at the forefront of the emerging power metal scene. Tours with the likes of Saxon and Angra saw the band developing a huge live following, boosted by numerous slots on major European festivals such as Wacken Open Air in Germany, where they continue appear higher up the bill every time they release an album. Following the release of 'Crystal Empire', Freedom Call's second album, in 2001, the band set off on a 63 date European tour with Hammerfall and Virgin Steele. After the release of 'Eternity', their 3rd album, Freedom Call toured with Blind Guardian, during which they recorded their 'Live Invasion' album, before starring on the Wacken Road Show 2004. 'The Circle of Life', released in 2005, saw the integration of more contemporary and unusual arrangements into the band's sound, extending the musicians sonic range, further developed on 'Dimensions', released in 2007. Powerplay's Adam Harrold awarded 'Dimensions' 8/10 in July 2007's issue, enthusing "It's thrashier, more melodic and more topical than any of their efforts thus far…It's a brilliant fusing of all the things that detractors would say is wrong with power metal. Which, of course, means it rocks."
