| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Freezing Terror |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA & Canada |
| Year Released: 2024 | Artist Website: Freezing Terror |
| Tracks: 8 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 51:52 |
Freezing Terror blends straightforward heavy metal and Gothic nuances within a haunting and chilling progressive doom-like package. The project of brothers Terry (vocals & guitars) and Trevor (drums) Friesen, Freezing Terror backs from much of the melancholic and atmospheric overtures of the Sombre Holiday and Midnight Worship projects in which the two are better known for an overall heavier and more aggressive sound. Hence, musical direction to the March of 2021 independent (and 85% Angelic Warlord reviewed) Freezing Terror debut full length The Unexpected and November of 2024 sophomore effort Firestorm (also independent). Musically, Firestorm picks up where The Unexpected leaves off by ‘(creating) a sonic narrative of dark landscapes, inner turmoil, and raw human emotion across eight powerful new tracks, clocking in at over 52 minutes’ (quoting the groups press material).
Lyrically, ‘the album explores themes of isolation, destruction, and human frailty, pulling listeners into a world of ice and fire’ (again, the Freezing Terror press material). Further details from Terry Friesen: ‘We wanted to create an album that feels like a journey through desolation and chaos, but with moments of reflection and beauty. Each track tells its own story, but together, they form a tapestry of human struggle and survival.’
Terry continues to bring a deep and moody but melodic vocal style I find in step with the at times disconsolate and others frenetic and crushing sounds at hand. Those that suggest he walks a fine line between Jimmy P. Brown (Deliverance) and Eric Clayton (Saviour Machine) have the right idea. He lends to the Freezing Terror heaviness with rhythm guitar ranging from stout and trudging to fleet and headlong while contributing soloing that touches upon the precise and bluesy. Trevor plays no less a role with his unfathomable timekeeping mirroring both the heavy-hitting and rapid fire.
Albums title track gets things going as a five and half minute detonation of teeming metal venom verging on the speed and thrash based. Guitar riffs storm with fiery abandon over malevolent bass and recurrent double kick drum, as stinging guitar leads pierce in and out of the barbed clime. Yet, despite the overwhelming malice, an unexpectedly befitting refrain that continually repeat songs title in catchy fashion circumvents any potential repetition. Lyric snippet:
Feel it from a mile away
Like the heat of mid-day
Panic starts to take control
Nothing we can do or say
Ready or not - here comes the firestorm
Like it or not - here comes the firestorm
Gone are the days of the first alarm
This is our doom - here comes the firestorm
“End Of The Row” backs from much of the adamant fury to “Firestorm” for a slower albeit no less heavy configuration. Song echoes of classic US power metal (think Jacobs Dream), awash in as catchy a guitar riff you will hear - a Freezing Terror staple - while Trevor provides support with his sophisticated timekeeping varying from elaborate rolls and fills to unhesitant double bass. Lyric snippet:
Got a one-way ticket
And one question on my mind
I’m about to ride the lightning
After that, what will I find?
I don’t know what is happening to me now
I don’t understand how I ended up here
What if I’d made some different choices?
All I know is that I know my death is near…
“Catastrophic Death Toll” is a nine-minute doom metal epic that would not sound out of place on Trinity 2022 debut Memories Of The Ancient Presence. It brings the solemn and trudging facets to the form, buffeting in terms of the crawling impulse and brawny rhythm guitar to go alongside but also disconsolate in light of Terry’s complementary sober and desolate vocal attributions. Yet, the song also holds up despite the span in integrating the type of congenial melody one expects of first class doom. Of course, any piece of such length is going to punctuate its share of extended instrumental treks, noting the final three minutes sustained by sinister rhythms and narration.
Second consecutive epic in seven minute “Final Breath” impresses as a doom-laden semi ballad. Of all the albums material it best embodies the ethereal Gothic feel to Sombre Holiday, although it fits nicely within a Freezing Terror contact. Tempered, bleak and solemn, it gradually drifts forward over its first minute until sullen rhythm guitar descends in to align with the mournful vocals to hold sway. Despite the laid-back context, heaviness remains at the forefront, as does a grand melody rising above the forlorn surface. Lyric snippet:
So it’s the end
Never thought it would come so soon
The life we spend
Suddenly all we are is through
The sun is low but I don’t know
If this is the day, I will meet my death
Time will show where we will go
When we depart with our final breath
Single “Trappt Under Ice” might not be albums catchiest - it is more riff driven as opposed to melodic - in touching upon old school heavy metal with thrash dimensions. Song proves sinister and foreboding as anything here, rolling forward to double-kick drum and bruising momentum as intermittent explosions of thrash like angst subjugate. The furious lead guitar sounds as if taken from the 1989 Deliverance self-titled debut.
“Freedom” contrasts with a deliberate and barebones metal inclining. It proves no less able, compelled its extent by another catchy guitar riff – perseverant, enduring and embracing as it gets – but also embodying the swarthy semblances underlining the Freezing Terror material. The groups press material sums things up best in describing “Freedom” as ‘uplifting yet melancholic’. Lyric snippet:
No one likes the price for freedom
To lay down our precious life
But there’s only one solution
To get us through the darkest night
Holding on
To see the dawn
Time to let our pride be gone
“Mass Exodus” presents with a more forward tempo in comparison. Light power metal aspects stand apart in the process, repeated double kick drum embellishes the low end, as does a distinguishable melodic heavy metal turn, a signature engaging guitar riff holds sway over the grand but darkened scene. I sense a bit of Silence Is Madness era Bride intermingled with Deliverance’s Learn. Lyric snippet:
I still can’t believe that this is real
My clan has left slavery behind
From ugly frogs and creepy bugs
To all the water turning to blood
We follow the fire-cloud at night
The angel of death passed over
We painted lamb’s blood on the door
A wall of water on either side
Our enemy had nowhere to hide
We follow the fire-cloud some more
“Into The Wilderness” closes the album as a finely done seven-minute instrumental progressive epic. Song bookends around airy moments lushly woven with delicate acoustic guitar, with that in between presided over by signature doom like occasions with an imposing feel. A haunting melody rise to the surface accordingly, allowing “Into The Wilderness” to remain fresh and buoyant with repeat play despite the length.
Freezing Terror sophomore effort Firestorm proves that brothers Friesen are every bit comfortable in a heavier, straight on metal setting as opposed to the more atmospheric (albeit no less able) sounds to Sombre Holiday and Midnight Worship. Repeat listen reveals the duo put a great deal of time and thought into the meticulous Firestorm songwriting, with each track bringing a unique riff, hook or melody to compel your repeat interest. Yes, Firestorm comes highly recommended for fans of straightforward heavy metal with a Gothic and doom-like edge, but also those whose tastes are inclined towards the power and progressive side of things.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Firestorm” (5:28), “End Of The Row” (5:55), “Catastrophic Death Toll” (9:16), “Final Breath” (7:10), “Trappt Under Ice” (5:04), “Freedom” (5:45), “Mass Exodus” 5:59), “Into The Wilderness” (7:15)
Musicians
Terry Friesen - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Trevor Friesen - Drums
