Having played in various local rock bands, Bay moved to 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 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 formed Freedom Call during an off-period for the latter's main band, Gamma Ray. The two had started writing songs together towards the end of 1997. They eventually completed a six-song demo Freedom Call with well-known producer 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 on guitar. In 1998 Chris and Dan had seen Sascha playing in a 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. On 25 May 1999 Freedom Call made their live debut during a tour of France as support band for Angra and Edguy. At the end of August, Freedom Call commenced recording of the five-track mini LP Taragon. It featured new songs, a cover version of 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, singer with Saxon narrating the "Tale of Taragon" on it. There was also a bonus track for 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 was promoted as the logical musical continuation of Stairway To Fairyland. In March 2001 Sascha Gerstner left Freedom Call (he would later join Helloween). Gerstner was eventually replaced by Cédric "Cede" Dupont, the Swiss guitarist of 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. 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.
Later that year, Freedom Call was invited on tour with Blind Guardian. During this tour they recorded the live album, Live Invasion together with Charlie Bauerfeind in Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and Munich. Live Invasion was released on 10 May 2004 by SPV.
The 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 was recorded at Hansen Studio, Hamburg and FC Studios, Nuremberg from August to October 2004. The album was released on 21 May 2005 by SPV.
Shortly after the release of The Circle of Life, both Cédric "Cede" Dupont and Ilker Ersin decided to leave Freedom Call (independently of each other). Replacements were eventually announced in the respective form of the unknown Lars Rettkowitz and Armin Donderer, formerly of Paradox.
Dimensions (2007–2008)
A new album with the title Dimensions 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.
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, and that they had parted ways with bassist Armin Donderer, who would be replaced by Samy Saemann. 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. It was later confirmed on the band's website that Zimmermann had officially left the band. Live in Hellvetia was the first live 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, Switzerland.
The title of the next Freedom Call studio album, 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.
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, with a new lineup. Ilker Ersin returned to the band to resume bass duties and Ramy Ali joined the band on drums. 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 and Franconia, the song was taken from the album Beyond that was released on 21 February 2014. A vinyl version of the album was released on 14 March 2014. It was produced by Chris Bay and Stephan Ernst at the Separate Sound Studios in 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 album which has been remastered, plus 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. 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).
Freedom Call's next 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. The tour commenced in 2016 and continued through 2017 and concluded in 2018. Countries visited (or to be visited) as part of the 2017–2018 legs of the tour include 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, and include Metalfest Open Air 2018 and Leyendas Del Rock 2018.
The band's most recent studio offering, M.E.T.A.L., was released on 23 August 2019.
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." The second single from the album, Hollywood Dancer, was released on 2 February 2018.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Call
Studio albums
Stairway to Fairyland (1999)
Crystal Empire (2001)
Eternity (2002)
The Circle of Life (2005)
Dimensions (2007)
Legend of the Shadowking (2010)
Land of the Crimson Dawn (2012)
Beyond (2014)
Master of Light (2016)
M.E.T.A.L. (2019)
Metal Is For Everyone
Freedom Call Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
Welcome to a metal wonderland
Where all is one, unite
Here vikings, dragons, wise men say
Raise your hands up high
Return to the valley of kings and dragons
Hear the warriors calling
Open the gate to a magic dreamland
Follow the signs
Follow the flame of victory
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
'Cause metal is for everyone
All for one and one for all
Words of fame and glory
A heavy metal history
The holy book of power
Dive into a world of queens and heroes
At the end of the rainbow
Regain the spell of the magic starlight
Follow the sign
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
Metal, metal
Metal is for everyone
Metal, metal
Metal is the law
Metal, metal
Metal is for everyone
Metal, metal
Metal is the law
Metal, metal
Metal is for everyone
Metal, metal
Metal is the law
Metal, metal
Metal is for everyone
Metal, metal
Metal is the law
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
'Cause metal is for everyone
The lyrics of Freedom Call's song "Metal Is For Everyone" celebrate the unifying power of heavy metal music. The song portrays metal music as a force that transcends societal norms and laws, creating a brotherhood and sisterhood of strong individuals united by their love for this genre. The lyrics suggest that metal music is not bound by any restrictions, as it is described as being "stronger than the law." Instead, it is symbolized as a "band of steel, eternally" and a "union of the strong."
The song invites the listener into a "metal wonderland" where all can come together and unite. It references powerful mythical figures such as vikings and dragons, suggesting a fantastical realm where anything is possible. The lyrics encourage listeners to raise their hands up high in participation and acknowledgement of the metal community.
The second half of the song hints at a journey, where the listener is encouraged to "return to the valley of kings and dragons" and follow the signs to a "magic dreamland." This journey is portrayed as an escape from reality and an opportunity to regain a sense of power and glory. The lyrics emphasize the importance of unity and history within the metal genre, describing it as a "heavy metal history" and a "holy book of power."
Overall, "Metal Is For Everyone" celebrates the inclusive nature of metal music, its ability to provide strength and a sense of belonging, and its mythical and magical qualities.
Line by Line Meaning
Metal is for everyone
The genre of heavy metal music is not exclusive and is meant to be enjoyed and embraced by all.
Stronger than the law
The power and influence of heavy metal music surpasses societal norms and regulations.
A band of steel, eternally
The community formed by metal music enthusiasts is unyielding and everlasting.
A union of the strong
Metal unites individuals who are resilient and steadfast in their beliefs and passion for the genre.
The sound is made from steel
The distinct sound of metal music is characterized by its heavy and aggressive nature.
Bound for pride and victory
Metal music is a symbol of pride and triumph, representing an attitude of perseverance.
The law of right and wrong
Metal music follows its own moral code, adhering to principles of justice and morality.
Welcome to a metal wonderland
Embrace the enchanting world of metal music, filled with excitement and awe.
Where all is one, unite
In the realm of metal music, everyone is equal and should come together in harmony.
Here vikings, dragons, wise men say
Within metal culture, figures such as vikings, dragons, and wise men are revered and their wisdom is respected.
Raise your hands up high
Express your enthusiasm and devotion to metal music by raising your hands in a celebratory manner.
Return to the valley of kings and dragons
Transport yourself back into a realm filled with majestic rulers and mythical creatures.
Hear the warriors calling
Experience the rallying cries of warriors, urging you to join them in embracing the power of metal music.
Open the gate to a magic dreamland
Unlock the entrance to a fantastical world where dreams come true and imagination knows no bounds.
Follow the signs
Pay attention to the cues and signals that lead you towards the path of metal music enlightenment.
Follow the flame of victory
Pursue the metaphorical flame of triumph, which guides you towards success and accomplishment within the metal community.
All for one and one for all
Metal music fosters a sense of unity and collective support, emphasizing the importance of solidarity.
Words of fame and glory
Metal music is often associated with inspiring and legendary tales of fame and honor.
A heavy metal history
The genre of heavy metal has a rich and influential legacy that spans across time.
The holy book of power
Metal music is considered a sacred source of strength, providing empowerment and motivation to its followers.
Dive into a world of queens and heroes
Immerse yourself in a realm where powerful female figures and valiant heroes take center stage.
At the end of the rainbow
Discover the elusive treasures and wonders that await at the conclusion of a challenging journey.
Regain the spell of the magic starlight
Rediscover the enchanting allure and captivating essence of the cosmic light that radiates throughout the metal world.
Metal, metal
Referring to the genre itself, constantly reaffirming its presence and influence.
Metal is the law
Metal music is an authoritative force, serving as a guiding principle for its devoted followers.
Cause metal is for everyone
Reiterating that metal music is not exclusive and remains accessible to individuals from all walks of life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Chris Bay, Rami Ali
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luiz Neto
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
Our band of steel eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
Welcome to a metal wonderland
Where all as one unite
Hear vikings, dragons, wise men say
Raise your hands up high
Return to the valley of kings and dragons
Hear the warriors calling
Open the gate to a magic dreamland
Follow the sign, follow the flame of victory
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
Our band of steel eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
‘Cause metal is for everyone
All for one, and one for all
Words of fame and glory
A heavy metal history
The holy book of power
Dive into a world of queens and heroes
At the end of the rainbow
Under the spell of the magic starlight
Follow the sign
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
Our band of steel eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
Metal, metal, metal is for everyone
Metal, metal, metal is the law
Metal, metal, metal is for everyone
Metal, metal, metal is the law
Metal, metal, metal is for everyone
Metal, metal, metal is the law
Metal, metal, metal is for everyone
Metal, metal, metal is the law
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
Our band of steel eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
Our band of steel eternally
A union of the strong
‘Cause metal is for everyone!♫
purya nesimi
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
Welcome to a metal wonderland
Where all is one, unite
Here vikings, dragons, wise men say
Raise your hands up high
Return to the valley of kings and dragons
Hear the warriors calling
Open the gate to a magic dreamland
Follow the signs
Follow the flame of victory
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
'Cause metal is for everyone
All for one and one for all
Words of fame and glory
A heavy metal history
The holy book of power
Dive into a world of queens and heroes
At the end of the rainbow
Regain the spell of the magic starlight
Follow the sign
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
Metal, metal
Metal is for everyone
Metal, metal
Metal is the law
x4
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Metal is for everyone
The sound is made from steel
Bound for pride and victory
The law of right and wrong
Metal is for everyone
Stronger than the law
A band of steel, eternally
A union of the strong
Cause metal is for everyone
Fool Of a Took
Power metal is the best kind of metal. Makes ya feel all fuzzy inside, and full of positive energy, at least until you get into viking or pirate metal, then you want to raid and plunder with a smile on your face. lol
jimmyjoemonkey II
as a DM guy, to me, power metal is as cheesy as it gets but that cheesiness is a large part of its charm. it's fun music full of over the top energy and imagination
Andy The Drummer
I think prog is the best xD
Adrian
Fool Of a Took Death metal is way better
Quim Freecss
There's no best kind of metal. Every fucking subgenre of metal is gold in itself and metal as a whole is a godly perfect diamond ready to make everyone of us rock 🤘🏻🤘🏻! Arises your fist metalbeothers today we gotta celebrate metal!
Fat cat in a Tuxedo
Matyáš Kulhan thrash*
CyanCyborg
I love how aggressively accepting metal is.
Tor Daniel Olsen
This has to be one of the best comments I have seen.
Théoden King
Metal: bigots will DIE by STEeEeEeELLL!!!
Leo Akhmeteli
Unless you go deeper into the subgenres and discover black metal