Some bands take a while between releases while others go all-out guns ablaze. The latter applies to the fierce Italian power-metal act, Frozen Crown. Since their inception seven years ago they’ve already pumped out four records and this year 2024 they’re coming out with their fifth album, War Hearts—the sheer work ethic to keep putting out consistent music while on the road on multiple tours. You can just feel their passion for the metal world come through in their music. It also takes a lot to make music within the same genre feel fresh and new, but they’ve certainly found a way. This new record has been an exciting addition to my year with forceful music and passionate, emotive lyrics all simmered down to a tight 41 minutes and 16 seconds. Ten songs that are filled to the brim with epic tones, blistering riffs and captivating performances from all involved. I have to say as someone who has listened to a lot of power metal and has run the gambit of its highs and lows. This is a great example of how it should be done.
I think this album opens strong with the title track “War Hearts”. This track sets the tone for the album to come. No faffing around it just blasts straight into it! The guitar tone from the lead guitar shows off deep and complex licks. The song has this gallop to the beat that feels like a pulse. The vocals are this whaling cry and grab the listener's attention off the bat. The guitar solo fires off and the momentum just keeps rising. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the record. It’s something that I love about this album, it doesn’t waste your time. The band knows what you’re here for and they’re going to give it to you fast and hard. The pulsating beat doesn’t stop there, it continues into “Steel and Gold”, “To Live and Die” and “Night of the Wolf”. The album does change pace during “On Silver Wings”, well slightly. The tone shifts from pulsating riff-dom to a more climatic and commanding sound. The heavy chugs are still there and they keep that consistent heartbeat. The layering of the production is beautiful. Each part of the production shines bright. The glistening guitar tone makes you want to air guitar. The chugging rhythm of the guitar, bass and drums acts as a heavy foundation layer for the band to build on top of. Then the vocals Giada "Jade" Etro just sound so pure. She’s able to put so much power into that voice and matches the intensity of the music to a tee.
I think the ending of the album is well-composed. After a fairly fast and furious album, we have a small interlude called “King of the Sky” then the band bursts into their final track “Ice Dragon”. A mammoth closer that runs for seven minutes and thirty-seven seconds. It feels like it came straight from a table-top RPG. It feels like a tale of an epic adventure but beefed up to meet the power metal requirements. The melody should be familiar and it follows the pattern of a shanty or bardsong. A pattern that repeats until the guitar solo, even then it takes the refrain of the riff and incorporates it into the solo. It all feels epic and I think it’s a great way to cap off the album. It feels like something taken right out of the classic power metal records of the 80s, but more modern.
This is genuinely a treat to listen to. There’s been a lot of great power metal this year and I think this is another addition to the collection. It’s well worth putting in your playlists if you’re into this style of music. It’s nice to have a power metal album this clean and easy to listen to. Its uncompromised integrity is something I give it bonus points for. This record is unapologetic for being what it is. The band had a clear mission when making this album and I think they accomplished it. Unwavering, uncompromised power metal that makes every listener feel like a warrior.
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