Frozen Crown | War Hearts Review
by Griff Stevens
Frozen Crown has made a definitive statement with their 2024 release, War Hearts. A band offers a ten-track journey with sonic architecture that draws from the grandiose traditions of classic heavy metal and the shimmering modernity of symphonic and melodic death metal. War Hearts is their fifth album, and it’s a record that carries with it the weight of ambition, meticulously constructed riffs, precise drumming, and the kind of vocal acrobatics that power metal fans will appreciate.
From the outset, War Hearts delivers a power metal journey—one where melodies are crafted with attention to weaving together layers of harmonic and melodic elements that impress and are memorable. The opening track, “War Hearts,” has a grand melody with an epic overture of strings and dual guitar melodies before launching into full-throttle, guitar-driven fury. There is an immediate mastery of balance here: the heaviness is thick, yet there’s a melodic clarity within the vocal lines, a sense of power that complements the weight of the empowering lyrics.
This interplay of forces is a hallmark of Frozen Crown’s approach to songwriting, with each track providing a fresh twist on what could easily be a predictable formula. Whether it’s the soaring guitar solos in “Steel and Gold” or the interplay of keyboards and vocals in “Edge of Reality,” the band demonstrates their songwriting ability to tell a story with captivating musical elements. They know how to create tension, build anticipation, and then resolve it in ways that feel satisfying and progress to tell the story.
While power metal often sees heroic vocal lines leading the charge, Frozen Crown takes this to another level with the dynamic range of their frontwoman, Giada “Jade” Etro. Her voice is the record’s sharpest weapon, cutting through the instrumental wall of sound with the power of a battle cry. Etro has an uncanny ability to leap from low-register growls to crystal-clear, soaring highs. This ability gives her vocal lines power to convey the depth of the lyrics through the album’s various themes of struggle, defiance, and personal empowerment.
In “Night of the Wolf,” her performance is the song’s emotional core—her voice delivers the rallying cry of war through its power and dynamic inflections. It is an understated yet forceful reminder that metal, at its finest, can do more than pummel; it can invoke powerful emotions and passions.
To reduce War Hearts to its emotional depth would be a disservice, for the band’s technical ability is as essential to its impact as the lyrical content and vocal delivery. At the heart of this lies the guitar interplay between Federico Mondelli, Fabiola Bellomo, and Alessia Lanzone, whose collaborative multipart harmonies and inspired solos form the spine of the album’s sonic architecture.
Mondelli, who handles vocals and guitar, is the cornerstone of the band’s sound. His playing brings forth a dynamic range that spans from blistering solos to intricate driving rhythmic patterns. He’s not afraid to step back, allowing the other guitarists to lead at times, creating space for layers of impressive guitar melodies and solos to unfold. In tracks like “Steel and Gold,” the three guitarists turn in solos that glide effortlessly over a bed of energetic rhythm energy.
Fabiola Bellomo complements Mondelli’s lead with a fiery and aggressive approach, adding her sharp-edged riffs and serpentine runs to the mix. Bellomo’s guitar work adds a particular passion to the music, providing a texture that complements Mondelli’s melodic lines. In songs like “Edge of Reality,” Bellomo’s riffing pulses with tension, as her solo shows her precision and aggression, bringing a beautiful, intense edge to the band’s sound. Her harmonized interplay with Mondelli and Lanzone heightens the orchestrative diversity throughout the album’s duration.
Then, there’s Alessia Lanzone, whose guitar work infuses a layer of sophistication into the mix. Lanzone introduces another melodic and harmonic color, adding power to the lush chord progressions and subtle countermelodies found in each of the songs. On tracks like “I Am the Wind,” Lanzone’s fluidity provides a widening of the sonics and aggressive precision of the rhythm section. Lanzone’s soaring sols shine while capturing the essence of the song’s color. Her ability to blend technicality with a lyrical sensibility gives her playing an emotional depth, adding a level of richness to the textural interplay of the three guitars.
Together, the trio of guitarists has created a beautifully complex network of interwoven harmonies and counterpoints. Each brings something unique to the table, and their interplay is a constant throughout War Hearts, whether they’re harmonizing in intricate leads, swapping aggressive riffs, or crafting melodic solos. The album’s standout moments—such as the soaring guitar harmonies in “Bloodlines” or the soloing in “On Silver Wings”—showcase their collaborative synergy. These moments give the album a near-orchestral level of texture, with the guitars serving as equal partners in the album’s emotional and thematic narrative.
The rhythm section is equally impressive, with Niso Tomasini on drums and Francesco Zof on bass, both complement the fluidity of the guitars while remaining firmly rooted in the genre’s robust foundations. Whether driving the pulse in “I Am the Wind” or providing the rhythmic backbone that progress with the story as in “On Silver Wings,” together they provide dynamic force to the instrumentation.
Moreover, the album’s production plays an essential role in accentuating the band’s formidable sound. Every instrument is afforded space to shine, from the bass grooves in “Bloodlines” to the keyboard flourishes of “King Of The Sky.” The production strikes a perfect balance between clarity and depth, ensuring that no single layer overwhelms the others.
War Hearts is a rallying cry, drawing from the rich vein of power metal. It’s an album that manages to fuse the grandiosity of its sound with memorable melodies and instrumental textures. War Hearts is a power metal album that Frozen Crown has crafted that feels vital, alive, and ambitious. It is a solid example of the band’s songwriting proficiency and musical mastery.
Artist: Frozen Crown
Album: War Hearts
Label: Napalm Records
Release Date: October 18, 2024
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