Ok, here’s the deal for me – I think Hammerfall is a way better band today than they were in the beginning. I know I’m probably a minority when it comes to that opinion but I just don’t think Hammerfall’s earlier years are all that much to write home about. The first Hammerfall album I liked was Chapter V (2005). Since No Sacrifice, No Victory (2009) their albums have been better and better which each release. I don’t know why, maybe it’s James Michael’s (Sixx AM) production or just the fact that I think the songs are better per se. Their last album Dominion (2019) is my favorite Hammerfall record. That said, I should also admit that I’m not a huge fan of the band even now but I think it’s nice that a band that I once disliked now releases music that I can enjoy.
Which leads us to their latest release. Of course with a band like Hammerfall, fans knows what to expect sound wise – Heavy Metal with Power Metal influences and I can guarantee beforehand that this is what they’ll always bring to table. This gang is not gonna change and go AOR on us or something like that. Some say that Hammerfall makes the same album again and again, like some kind of Heavy Metal AC/DC, but hey it works for AC/DC and it works for Hammerfall. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it and if you still have the ability to write good songs, then just keep on keeping on. Do what you love and love what you do!
Opener and latest single “Brotherhood” reveals that everything is as it should in the Hammer-camp. It’s a fast, upbeat, punchy and straight forward metal-blaster, classic Hammerfall with a slice of Manowar-isms a little here and there. It’s highly energetic, fierce and frenetic with a ballsy refrain – it would fit well as a live-opener. I like this. The title-track, the album’s leading single, is direct and heavy with razor-sharp riffing and effective melodies all over complete with a metal-choir chanting to build up a bombastic atmosphere. It’s a mid-paced number with chugging guitars, a strong main-melody and a gutsy refrain that stick directly. Good one.
Going back to the fast route, the speedy verses of “No Son of Odin” are stone-hard, beefy and in-your-face but with a chorus slowing down the tempo some and bringing some sharp hooks that even could pass as Melodic Rock melodies. The verses and the chorus contrasts nicely and brings on a dynamic feel to the song – and said chorus is ultra-catchy. Great stuff. Another single, “Venerate Me” – including none other than the might King Diamond – is a real powerhouse, a melodic Metal belter on a straight ahead note with a thunderous, hard-hitting rhythm. Screeching and chugging guitars meets up with some hooky vocal-lines and another chorus that hits like a ton of bricks. Yeah, good one.
Taking off on a darker atmospheric vibe, “Reveries” holds some slow-paced verses. Still quite heavy, the creeping verses builds up to a huge chorus that goes into a na-na-na-na frenzy with some contagious hooks and it’s impossible not to tag along and with the chorus the tempo has been speeded up. Very 80’s indeed. It’s a heavy song with some uplifting melodies all over. Good one. On a galloping rhythm, the fast, heavy and direct “Too Old To Die Young” is a Heavy Metal stomper full of rough-edges and kicking rhythms but also a whole lot of pop-melodies on top where again the band throw a wink to 80’s Melodic Rock. It’s a riffy rocker with an instant chorus that’s musical super-glue, impossible to get out of the brain once there. Good stuff.
“Not Today” is a mellow, melancholic and quite smooth metal-ballad that sports some Accept-like guitar-lines. It holds traces of both bluesier elements, folky dito and the infectious chorus stands on the threshold of power balladry. That said, it’s a guitar driven tune without the syrup that has a tendency to come with power ballads. The chorus is a beast and catches on within a second of listening. Very good. On the other side of the fence we have the classic Metal ripper “Live Free Or Die” with prominent influences from both Accept and Judas Priest. It’s fast-tracked, rowdy, aggressive and loud. The chorus, however, is a bit too much Power Metal for me – not bad at all but the verses are better.
“State Of The W.I.L.D.” is another fast tracked metal-belter that will probably work like a charm live. It’s raw and rowdy yet melodic with slick vocal-melodies. The song is sort of Priest-like but it fails to keep my interest up and it fades away a little too quick. It’s not a bad song but the best part is the dream-like acoustic guitar intro. The album ends with “No Mercy”, a fierce and raging metal-puncher that goes for the throat right from the first chord. Accept returns as an influence here especially in the backing vocals in the call-and-respond chorus. It’s a really good song and a perfect album-closer.
I will probably get a tornado of disagreement for this but my opinion is that this album follows the upping quality of the band’s recent albums – and this one might just be their finest effort so far. Ok, not might, I believe it is their finest effort so far. Style-wise it’s not like something revolutionary has happened, this is still the same Hammerfall. The reason I find this their best record is simply the songs are better and the album is more even, even though it contains the odd filler or two. They still haven’t fixed any not-broken things and it stands pretty clear that they really do what they love and love what they do.
7/10
More Hammerfall reviews:
Infected
(r)Evolution
Built To Last
Dominion
Tracklist:
1. Brotherhood
2. Hammer Of Dawn
3. No Son Of Odin
4. Venerate Me
5. Reveries
6. Too Old To Die Young
7. Not Today
8. Live Free Or Die
9. State Of The W.I.L.D.
10. No Mercy
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