HAMMERFALL

"Avenge the Fallen" (Napalm Records; 2024)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

HammerFall has been in the heavy metal business for a long, long time. They've survived multiple line-up changes (Wikipedia currently shows ten former members of the band) and released thirteen studios albums and are still respected as one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.

With "Avenge the Fallen," HammerFall only cements their place in rock history.

Another epic heavy metal recording, "Avenge the Fallen" plays like a heavy metal version of Game of Thrones. There are songs about kings, heroes, medieval battles, and evil and they're all saturated with HammerFall's classic sound: Crushing guitars, soaring vocals, majestic songwriting, and meaty production. Yeah, I know that's what HammerFall always sounds like but, goddammit, that's how I want them to sound! Why fix what ain't broke?

The album only slows down once, on the simmering ballad, "Hope Springs Eternal," but, as far as ballads go, this one plays out nicely and won't have you reaching for the SKIP button.

Overall, "Avenge the Fallen" is another terrific album from a band that has found a niche and perfected it. The thing about a great HammerFall album is that it always makes you want to go back and explore the rest of the band's catalog and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

For more information, please visit http://www.hammerfall.net.  

"Hammer of Dawn" (Napalm Records; 2022)

Reviewed by Snidermann

I find it hard to distinguish between metal genres. It all falls down to either I like it or I don't. Call Hammerfall true metal, power metal or whatever, all I need to know is that this shit kicks ass.

As you can see, I am reviewing Hammerfall's 2022 release "Hammer of Dawn" and, from the first track, this is wickedly smart and very intense music, not matter what the sub-genres (frankly, sub-genres of music give me a headache).

Heavy guitar, thundering drums and bass, killer vocals and, really, what else do you want from a release reviewed on RoughEdge.com? One thing I have discovered is that there is a lot more vocalization in this music which I really like. Heavy and hard, full of thoughtful images and thought-provoking ideas and representations make this recording more fun and the songwriting is a step above the norm. The production value of this recording is top notch, the play between the guitars is really something and very fun to listen to.

I am going to borrow a line from Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods: "If it looks good, eat it." I am going to change it around a bit and say, "If it sounds good, listen to it."

For more information, please visit http://www.hammerfall.net.  

"Live Against the World" (Napalm Records; 2020)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Whatever they have in the water in Sweden, Hammerfall is just another example of a killer metal band that comes out of that part of the world. This double-live collection is tight, powerful and alive. As you can see by looking below, Hammerfall have been reviewed by my co-horts Mike SOS, Christopher J. Kelter and R. Scott Bolton and we've been reviewing them for years here at RoughEdge.com. When R. Scott asked me to review this recording, I said hell yeah. It's my turn!

The songs performed live on this set are big, monstrous epics with thundering heavy metal music and vocals that with a power that betrays their accessibility. One thing I really like about Hammerfall is that four of the five bandmates contribute vocally and that adds a lot depth to the rock'n'roll.

Most of the current members of the band have been there for 10 years or more and it show with just how together this band is. Be it power metal, heavy metal or just rock'n'roll, Hammerfall is one band that has their shit together and they sound fucking awesome on this album, especially when played LOUD.

If you're into bands like Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden and Queensryche ... or especially Hammerfall ... then this awesome live collection may be right up your alley.

For more information, please visit http://www.hammerfall.net.  

"Steel Meets Steel - Ten Years of Glory" (Nuclear Blast; 2007)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

"Steel Meets Steel" is a two-disc chronicle of Swedish metal merchants Hammerfall's career thus far and, even though it contains some surprises in the form of a  few new cuts and a couple of unearthed tracks, the bulk of the material is taken from the act's previous endeavors.

This release showcases the two sides of Hammerfall quite well however, as both the majestic power metal beast and the softer, more orchestral balladeering sensibility is properly exhibited here. 

If you're a fan, you probably have all of these already, but the excellent packaging complete with liner notes and solid stage photos of the group raring back and letting loose renders a nice touch and makes the purchase worth the price. 

For more information, please visit http://www.hammerfall.net.  

"Threshold" (Nuclear Blast; 2006)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Raise your sword and shield to the mighty Swedish troupe Hammerfall, whose latest 11-track endeavor, "Threshold," once again revisits the land where power metal reigns supreme. 

On this, the quintet's sixth release, there's no shortage of humungous guitars, tales of epic battles, and melodic metallic vocals that display both clarity and power, even if the material, like "Howlin' with the 'Pac" and "Rebel Inside," are somewhat cringe-worthy, slightly cheesy, and lack that edgy bite. 

Fret not, metal warriors, tracks like "Natural High" and "Reign of the Hammer" redeem the band in spades, reeling you back into the days where denim jackets and mullets were all the rage in fine form. Horns up for this one, children of the beast.

For more information, please visit http://www.hammerfall.net.  

"Renegade" (Nuclear Blast; 2000)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

HammerFall are purveyors of "true metal" and "Renegade" is more proof that this genre - while littered with too many mediocre bands - is far from dead.

Like many other bands in this genre, the songs of HammerFall are mostly about great battles and fantasy characters. This CD's cover tells you all you need to know about the lyrical content therein. Depicted on the cover is an armored rider riding an equally armored horse, a heavy war hammer raised high in the rider's hands, a sea serpent raising up from the moat of a nearby castle which is slowly burning to the ground. It's "Excalibur" and "Highlander" all wrapped together.

"Renegade" is full of heavy chords and screaming riffs, pounding drums and throbbing bass. It's epic metal at its best, with vocals that soar along with the music, each enhancing the other. Interestingly, the music reminds one of a somewhat less complex Iron Maiden. And that's a good thing.

There isn't a song herein that isn't as strong as the last, with the possible exception of "Always Will Be," the token ballad. "Always Will Be" still rocks (as much as a ballad can rock) but it does tend to soften the overall sheer muscle of "Renegade."

"Renegade" was produced, recorded, engineered and mixed by the legendary Michael Wagener of Double Trouble Productions. Wagener produced many of the biggest metal acts of the 80s and 90s, including W.A.S.P. and Dokken. His expertise certainly works for HammerFall here as well.

Fans of power and/or true metal no doubt are already aware of HammerFall. Others who are fans of bands like Gamma Ray, Magnitude 9 and Manowar will find something here to like as well.

For more information, please visit http://www.hammerfall.net.  

"Legacy of Kings" (Nuclear Blast; 1998)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

If you haven’t heard already, HammerFall are a power metal band that is taking a lot of flak from many fans of other genres for not being true enough, not heavy enough, or not metal enough. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so here’s mine: lay off HammerFall! If you don’t like true metal or power metal don’t listen to HammerFall!

HammerFall’s song structures are traditional and familiar. However, you’ll find yourself fighting to hold back the desire to bob your head and pump your fist as the disc goes from track to track. Also, I hear a lot of German power metal riffs in HammerFall’s music (especially old Accept in HammerFall’s riffs); hell, I even heard Scorpions-like melodies in “Let The Hammer Fall”! The feisty lead guitar lines are like a burst of fireworks – bright and intense.

The vocals are very melodic with the choruses ripe for massive sing alongs. Joacim Cans sounds a lot like what Don Dokken might sound like if he was Swedish (or German) instead of American. The lyrics are in the Manowar style; to wit, “brothers unite, stand up and fight” as well as “toil of battle” are examples from just the first two songs. The spirit of metal is given credence with HammerFall and their commitment to the metallic lifestyle.

“At The End Of Tomorrow” has a good mid-paced rhythm while “Dreamland” gives the band’s spin on fantasy a whirlwind of majestic images.

There are two (!), count ‘em, two old-fashioned, honest-to-God power ballads. “Remember Yesterday” has a soaring vocal melody the likes the metal world hasn’t seen since the ‘80s, but this time the message is just as important as the song’s riffs. “The Fallen One” has a piano figure that carries the tune until it breaks into the guitar heavy ending that is required of the genre.

Fans of Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica will appreciate HammerFall. Just don’t let anybody tell you what you can and cannot like.

“Legacy Of Kings” was produced by Fredrik Nordstrom and Oscar Dronjak. The production is well above average as is to be expected when Fredrik Nordstrom is behind the recording console.

HammerFall: Joacim Cans on lead and backing vocals, Oscar Dronjak on guitar and backing vocals, Stefan Elmgren on lead guitar, Magnus Rosen on bass guitar, and Patrik Fafling on drums. Jesper Stromblad (In Flames) contributed his writing skills to many tracks.

For more information visit http://www.hammerfall.net. 

"Glory to the Brave" (Nuclear Blast; 1997)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

HammerFall remind me of Manowar with about half the campy lyric content and about a third less of the silly macho posturing. Their music is Heavy Metal with a capital "H" and a capital "M." It's rock'n'roll designed to split the skull of your enemy, or at least that guy in the Honda next to you who's blasting out the bass on the latest Insane Clown Posse album.

"Glory to the Brave," originally released in 1997, isn't as sophisticated as the band's later releases, but it still packs a solid rock'n'roll wallop. The best songs on the CD are the band's title song, "HammerFall" and "Stone Cold," both heavy hitters that stick to your mind long after you turn the stereo off. The other seven songs here are solid as well, with even the now traditional ballad standing above most others.

HammerFall continue to pump out the music today and, for my money, their newer stuff is better than the old. However, that's no diss of "Glory to the Brave" which is an explosive metal album that gives you exactly what you're looking for.

HammerFall: Joacim Cans - lead vocals, background harmonies; Oscar Dronjak - guitars, backing vocals; Fredrik Larsson - bass guitars, backing vocals; Glenn Ljungstrom - guitars; Jesper Stromblad - drums.

For more information, check out http://www.hammerfall.net. 

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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