Fusing Teutonic speed metal elements with OTT Manowarish pretentions, this Gothenburg-based comet has in a short span of time risen from pub-status to one of the most popular names on the much over-crowded power metal scene. Hammerfall was founded in 1993 by Oscar Dronjak, former guitarist of Ceremonial Oath and an avid wrestling fan (which oughta explain a thing or two). Teaming up with among others Jesper Str�mblad, whom at weekdays swings the lead axe for In Flames, they went on to play on every rock festival of insignificant importance, thus making themselves a name, before releasing their debut album Glory to the brave in 1997. Musically they play classic, straight-forward speed/power metal, with a philosophy best described as poor man's Manowar. Following up with Legacy of kings in '98, Hammerfall has since then been somewhat considered to be, if not saving metal as pop-culture in Europe, postponing its demise. I don't know about that...gathered from videos, lyrics, artwork, image and everything else - including music - Hammerfall is hopelessly stuck in the long-gone eighties (which I admittedly miss as well), and probably all wish they were born fifteen years earlier. Lash upon me ALL metal clich�s you could possibly dig up from your washed-out back-catalogue, and they will be displayed on (as in "on the album covers alone") these albums, thus outdating them before WWF has a next "World champion". Still, they remain the most popular Swedish metal band since Europe (who I resent calling metal). My stance on Hammerfall is the following: A good rock 'n' roll drive with an unconvincing agenda.
Discography
GLORY TO THE BRAVE
Well, I've got some mixed feelings about this album. Musically it's the kind of power metal - with all that applies - album you've heard four thousand times before unwrapping the plastic. The vocals are completely gay, and, needless to say, sound very much like all similar bands. Musicianship ain't that overwhelming either, but the metal spirit more than make up for it - hadn't it been, the "metal spirit" is so OTT it becomes, not only pretentious, but bordering on emabarrasing. Drumming is good though, here provided by Jesper Str�mblad (also the meanest-looking of the lot) and another dude I've never heard about, no disrespect. Opening The dragon lies bleeding is a furious head-on rocker that won't dissappoint any serious followers of the Kai Hansen sect. Even better is Hammerfall, a terrific corn factory with very neat Manowarish background vox (the high-pitched singing is higher than ever, only in this song, I think they fit very well - "All hail Haaammerfaaaaall!"). Next comes the typical warrior-ballad I believe, which I find absolutely horrendous, and so predictable every tone sickens me. Stupid lyrics and plain wuss - I hate it. Well, I must say there are some really good songs here, but perhaps the only one that would pass for a "masterpiece" is Child of the damned, which happens to be a cover (Warlord) - but MAN, what a cover that is! Pretty much a complete cosmetic makeover, since the original was a quite crummy recording. The vocals are almost identical - just as wuss, that is. The main riff is one of the most menacing in the history of the electric guitar, truly a feast in eighties' fury. Mind-blowing lyrics as well - oughta hint it's a cover, if nothing else... :). On the whole, a great, great cover of a great, great song. Steel meets steel is corny, but the following Stone cold rocks like there was no tomorrow, and it remains my favourite non-cover HF-song. Incredibly catchy refrain, riffs, and everything else. After that you can turn off, the last two songs aren't very funny. Unchained is even dumber than Steel meets steel meets steel meets steel, and the balladish title track I refuse to even speak about. Nonetheless, four songs here kill with power, and are well worth buying the damn thing for. The other three rockers are also okay, and I think it's rockers Hammerfall (or "False Manowar", as I call them) should stick to, because their softies are predictable, pretentious, and IMHO, total crap. A good album, but not great. Okay, great, but not outstanding, and certainly not new.
Best songs: Child of the damned; Stone cold; Hammerfall
LEGACY OF KINGS
Pretty much the same thing as Glory to the brave, and about as good (although not quite). Heeding the call is this album's Dragon lies bleeding, and it rocks hard - the instrumental break is pure BRUTE! Overall a worthy competion for Dragon, and my favourite song on the album, let aside (deja-vu?) the cover. Title track I don't like as much. It's good, but by no means a match for the similar Hammerfall. Let the hammer fall and Dreamland are both ok, but on the crap half of this album, I think. Remember yesterday is yet another hideous lighters-in-the-air, wuss, crap, die. I must honestly say these guys are so predictable and clich�-fueled, the impression of their efforts never rises above sheer ridicule. I mean, Manowar may be cheesy and all that, but they have practiced what they've preached for some two decades (AND they back it up with some kick-axe music), and I think they have earned the genuine impression that they actually mean what they say. Hammerfall's pose (there, I said it) just feels immature, and at least I can't take them seriously (if you've seen any of their videos or interviews you know what I'm talking about - Oscar Dronjak covered in plate armor, similar to that of a Russian T-80), no matter how much they have "done for metal", as the brats claim. Oh well...At the end of the rainbow and Stronger than all are a lot better, and the Pretty Maids-cover (Back to back) is also neat, although nowhere near the greatness of the original (maybe because the Maids actually had a good lead singer...). After that...well...the last two songs...eh...uhm...what's the opposite of "DON'T blow to an extent"? I really wish they would stop making those awful, awful, awful, anthemic ballads (number four is called The fallen one, every bit as retarded as the ones before it). I mean, they really SCREAM for radio-attention, and I can only take so much of that. Overall, an uneven, yet very good record, almost on par with Glory to the brave.
Best songs: Heeding the call; At the end of the rainbow; Back to back
RENEGADE
If you didn't worship the first two albums so much you had intercourse and dinner-conversations with them, there is no apparent reason to buy this one as well, it's practically the same thing. Simply put, the Hammerfall posse has ran out of new ideas, and they weren't overly original to begin with. However, Hammerfall's strongest weapon - energy - is still sharp (or if you wish, blunt), which somewhat elevates them above utter mediocrity. They still know how to write fairly catchy and energetic songs, and they need it, because the cheese within this album is probably the most flamboyant ever put on record. Let me just recite the chorus in Destined for glory - "Fight with your heart and you're destined for glory, but fight without honour - you're destined to fall!". And it goes on like this... If that doesn't convince you, the song titles are below. Templars of steel (cheeeeese), Keep the flame burning (cheeeeese) and The way of the warrior (no comment). Actually, all their songs are dubiously written and cheesy, so it usually comes down to the rocking factor, and it's USUALLY very high - higher than this. Faves: The title track with its killer main riff, Living in victory and concluding Legend reborn. The rest aren't really spectacular by any stretch, although they are certainly listenable, most of them. Fortunately, there is only one ballad on this album. UN-fortunately, Always will be is more atrocious than the other four put together. Beyond doubt, the most lame-ass recording ever done, by any artist, including George Michael and that Bolton-whatshisname? Listen it THROUGH once, and you'll know what I mean. My God, I can't describe in words how much that song blows. And guess what? It was released as single to this album! Ok, I will try to be as fair and objective as possible, which is not an easy task, seeing as I WANT to dislike Hammerfall more than I really do. I mean, their music is okay by all means, but I just can't stand them getting so much attention and credit, when there are far the more deserving who never got their break - bands that Hammerfall have ripped off more or less thoroughly to reach their success. Still, the songs are relatively catchy here, and even though there is not one ounce of originality to be found, their speed and energy is impossible to fully withstand. I guess I'm a closet Hammerfall fan :).
Best songs: Renegade; Living in victory; A legend reborn