Examples of these included: In a 9/10 review for The Metal Observer and commenting on a return to form for Freedom Call, Jonathan Smith wrote: At its inception, this album makes little secret of which creative well it’s drawing from.

In particular, “Union Of The Strong, “Knights Of Taragon” and “Heart Of A Warrior” all but kick the listener into a fit of déjà vu that recalls how this band’s much lauded third album began.

He continued: Despite the mammoth running time and rote formula the songs lapse into occasionally, Beyond is still an entertaining record for fans of triumphant metal.

The long-running German band took a risk with their last album – 2012’s Land of the Crimson Dawn – where they mixed in quirky, Edguy-style rock songs with their usual shiny, happy, power metal.

Between Chris Bay’s melodic guitar work and his high-pitched vocals, it’s hard to sit still when a Freedom Call album is playing.