FRETERNIA

"A Nightmare Story"
(SPV/Arise Records )

Sweden (along with all of the Scandinavian nations) has always been a hotbed for metal of all styles. This band are one of Sweden's latest exports (this is their second album). Freternia are a melodic power/progressive metal band, in the vein of Stratovarius, with a singer, Passi Humppi, who, surprisingly enough, sounds quite a lot like Skid Row's Sebastian Bach! (and also a bit like Primal Fear's Ralf Scheepers in places). Freternia are quite a good band, made up of skilled musicians, who play and write well, and know how to deliver the goods! The album goes full throttle all the way, featuring galloping tunes like "Grimbor The Great", "Shadowdancers", and "The Savior", as well as some epic songs, such as "The Dark Side", "The Unexpected" and "Requiem". Keyboards are used (courtesy of Tommie Johanson), but not to excess, so they don't saturate and dilute the music, as sometimes happens with other bands of this style. Guitarist Tomas Wappling does a very good job, his playing very sharp and up front. The lineup is completed by bassist Peter Wiberg and drummer Martin Tilander, who make up a solid, driving rhythm section. This album is certainly no nightmare! This talented band have turned out a top quality power metal opus here, that any fan of this genre should have no trouble getting into!

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