Good

Nation: Sweden

Album Genre: Power Metal

Pros: Hammerfall is one of those bands that really prides themselves on the straight forward heavy metal sound. It has been the trend in the last 10 years, to really expand the horizons of metal to create new sounds. Hammerfall combine the traditional stylings of heavy metal in the vain of Accept, along with modern power metal. This, along with the rest of their sound arsenal, really show that they are a stand out band because they stick to the basics, and those basics have created some great soundings records of which Renegade is one.

Cons: Nothing comes to mind, this album is pretty damn catchy.

Vewy Good

Nation: Sweden

Album Genre: Power Metal/Traditional Metal

Pros: Hammerfall's latest output is one that continues their solid sound of power metal mixed with old school traditional metal power riffs and choruses. I really dig this stuff, and this is a culmination of the maturity of the band. Many claim this is their weakest album, I completely disagree with that statement. I think the melodies have grown more complex and catchier at the same time; the vocal execution on the songs has greatly improved as well with Joacim Cans really showing off how much he has matured as a vocalist. This album reminds me sometimes of
Accept--traditional metal done right without the necessity of mind numbing speed. Hammerfall has a good thing going (even with the ballads, which I am sorry to say, metal bands tend to have a knack for fucking up, are damn good on this!), hopefully they keep going up with their next release.

Cons: Nein, the catchiness continues!