The title sums it up!
HammerFall returns with a CD even better then their debut. This album totally rocks! The new lead guitarist Stefan lends a more melodic and polished sound to a band who've already re-established the European power metal scene. The songs are stronger and more "powerful" on this record but still in the same (Maiden/Helloween) vein. Highlights include: "Let the Hammer Fall", "Dreamland" (my fave on the album), "At the End of the Rainbow" (an instant classic with a definite Maidenish feel), "Stronger Than All" and "Warriors of Faith". The ballads still are lacking just a little bit as with "Glory to the Brave" but all in all this is a GREAT CD and all fans of power metal will appreciate this.
4.5 Stars. Really Good
There is no gender in the world of music that has been more bashed, misunderstood and less appreciated than Metal. This is the most pure Power Metal. I know it doesn't make the Metal progress like Arch Enemy does as some say. I don't think that is the best thing that happens to music since Mozart and Beethoven either as "kullthevalisian2"say. But is still good. Some reviewers describe this as the most pure metal. Other bash the "thrashers" and the Death Metal. I like those styles. I know you can't know what the hell most of the death metal "singers" are saying but the speed and brutality (specially of the drummers) should be recognized too. Metal is divided in many sub-genders. The Power Metal appeared again, with a lot of popularity( in the world of Metal), in the mid 90s. Kai Hansen's Gamma Ray and Blind Guardian were around from before. "Episode" of Stratovarius, Helloween's return with "Master of the Rings" and later on Rhapsody and Hammerfall made the Power Metal become the European alternative to the Death Metal and Heavy Metal. I know that the lyrics of the Power Metal bands are not a deep philosophical work but that doesn't really matter. I mean, music is entertainment. We are supposed be away from reality when we are into it right? I know there are singers and bands that have some really impressive lyrics ( Sonata Artica being the one with the best lyrics in the world of Power and Power-Melodic Metal) but writing about dragons, medieval kings, holy legendary wars, steel and all that is something that I don't see as some kind of sin. People expect good lyrics all the time. I mean c'mon. Read a book. I'm serious. I you want something to appreciate and to think about there are books. Novels, poems, etc. I'm not an ignorant guy. I read from "The little Prince" to "Thus spoke Zarathustra". I don't think that lyrics are important. Specially in Metal when you are looking for impressive sounds and ability of the members with their instruments.
About the album. I think is pretty good.
"Legacy of the kings" of Hammerfall starts with the typical fast and catchy (like 95%of the first song in the Power Metal albums) song "Heeding the Call". The rest of the songs are pretty good if you are into Power Metal. Some fast and some slow. Good solos with two guitars. What you get in the rest of Power Metal. Good.Honestly, I doubt the Metal music will ever disappear. There will always be that little minority that looks for a hell of a ride that a Metal song is.
Hammerfall is heeding the call
Hammerfall is probably what ignited the modern Power Metal movement. Though "Glory to the brave" was quite a success, this '98 release gave them a worldwide recognition. If you don't have any of their CD's, i definitely recommend that you start with "Legacy Of Kings". As you listen to Joasim Cans you will feel "Maiden"'s presence and you won't "mind" it . I can't pick a favorate song here but tracks six and eight stand out - if you're a Tony Iommi fan you'll know why..
Hammerfall is a band that'll keep you guessing who they've been influenced by,it's not easy to pinpoint and i'm a bit reluctant to say that Hammerfall has it's own unique style, nevertheless we thank them and a few other bands for keeping Power Metal alive.
METAL IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After having seen our favourite musical style bashed down by thrashers who should test their skills wielding chainsaws and/or
other loud implement of destruction...after having 'heard' (??)
abominable crossovers with hip-hop and other sorts of filthy sources of noise, after having our ears maimed by death metal
vocalists (?) sounding like grizzly bears with troath carcinomas
FINALLY
The Gods smiled upon us bereaved followers of melodic power and brought us these fine viking raiders from sweden that singlehandedly resurrected good old melodic metal, re-created a 'scene' WITHOUT any kind of buck-greedy major behind them
and kickstarted Europe toward a bright new future of musical greatness unheard of since the days of Mozart and Beethoven!
Too enthusiastic you say?
OK!
Just imagine how I felt in the late 90s when the 'greatest'
musical novelty were ice-t and body count when I grabbed the FIRST HammerFall CD after having witnessed a metal festival in
Italy attended by (o joy! o joy!!) some 5,000 people...
THESE GUYS SOUNDED LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN NURSED AT THE SAME TEAT THAT NOURISHED JOEY DiMAIO (of immortal ManOwaR fame!!!!!).
I ADORE HammerFall and I admit it, call me unfair.
THEY RESURRECTED THE MUSIC I LOVE
I OWE THEM MUCH MORE THAN I COULD EVER RETURN TO THEM!
So this is my paycheck to them...apart from having BOUGHT (not downloaded...no no) EVERY SINGLE ALBUM they released.
This one came forth in late 1998 and I had bought it in Nov. even before Xmas as I could not wait for my presents to come in.
In July 1999 they went to Italy and I rushed to Milan to see them!
Their rendition of 'At the end of the Rainbow' sent nearly 10,000 people to the sky!
The Templars will survive, ALWAYS!
Do your ears a favour and buy it!
The guys need support from TRUE believers!!!!!!!
Paolo, Genoa.
Hammerfall brings new life to the metal scene!!
Well what can I say? Hammerfall 2nd release is not as great as Glory to the Brave was but it's still way above most albums I've heard in my life. The opener "Heeding the Call" starts with a lot of speed and nice choruses. The vocals are excellent all over the album! Even the ballads are impressive! I mean this CD is simply a blast! If you like Medieval influenced music, this might just please you, since their lyrics are based on Knights, Kings and Fantasies. Check out "Heeding the Call", "Legacy of Kings", "Dreamland", "At the End of The Rainbow", "Warriors of Faith" and "The Fallen One".
Features guest songwriter Jesper Stromblad (In Flames), with this release Hammerfall ensures that metal is more alive than ever before. Nuclear Blast.
