FREQUENCY – When Dream And Fate Collide

Swedish band Frequency completed their 5-piece line-up in 2003 and released a couple of demos later that year. In 2004, yet another demo was made, followed by several gigs, which eventually led to a contract with Italian label Scarlet Records. Thus, Frequency at last proudly presents their debut album, When Dream And Fate Collide. Now, is a title like that bound to turn a few heads among followers of Progressive Metal, or what?

The Music

In spite of a couple of Progressive moves, however, Frequency runs down the Power Metal street more than anything! Right from the catchy opener “Oblivion,” you know you’re up for a heavy and fast ride down Melody Lane. Each song has immediate qualities and calls you to sing-along even first time around.

After a while, though, the songs’ more ordinary features become apparent, leaving about half the songs dipping into the realms of being labelled average, and the other half slightly above. Among the better half are “Distant Light,” “Fire And Steel,” and “The Wicked Is Born” … all offering a tad darker and/or more aggressive image than the other songs. This could be related to the band’s past in Death Metal, even if their expression in general is far from that.

The Band

Frequency thrives on the expressive and most convincing vocals of Glenn Laurén. He carries the high register melody lines with the greatest of ease, and also adds considerable temperament to some of the more aggressive parts. Further, his own voice is most suitable even in the choral/harmony parts, and that’s actually quite remarkable!

Even if the drumming at times sounds a little static, there is enough momentum in the up-tempo songs to get heads banging. Besides, skinsman Daniel Hannedahl makes a nice pair with bass man Mats Halldin, who forms a natural link to the guitar duo Linus Wikström and Tobias Birgersson. Hats off to both axemen for by-the-book riffing and soloing. They might benefit from a bolder or sort of “off road” style in solos, but this is really knit-picking.

The Verdict

This is a solid debut, which should appeal to nearly all fans of Heavy Metal. It may not be relevant that some of the material here is of a more ordinary kind, since the overall feeling of the album is intense and uplifting. Frequency is indeed most welcome on stage!