Hammerfall

Renegade

More like 4 1/2, but Hammerfall's best IMO

Review Score:

(10/10)
I'll say this for Hammerfall: they've picked a style that works and they're sticking to it. If you're worried that Hammerfall might be changing their ways in an effort to mature, don't. This is more of the same melodic, supercharged power metal you'd expect from the new kings of the block. And that's a good thing.

I really, really wanted to give this 5 stars, but I just couldn't. It wasn't that there is anything particularly wrong with the album, because there is not. In fact, most of it rocks harded and more smoothly than their previous release ("Legacy of Kings"). With song titles like "Templars of Steel" and "Keep the Flame Burning," you know where they're heading. Coincidentally, these are two of the strongest songs on the album and great choices to kick things off. "Renegade" and "Living in Victory" are also extremely strong, instantly memorable and chock full of speedy riffs and bombastic drumming. And though others dislike it, I found the ballad "Always Will Be" to be hauntingly beautiful, enough so that I stopped what I was doing to read along with the lyrics, completely immersing myself in the song. It's that good.

But the rest of the album seems to lose a bit of steam. Either that, or simply not do anything different than the first five tracks. Which to me is not bad (because the first five are so good), but prevents the album from being truly "perfect." All told though, it's a fantastic power metal experience and well worth the $15 it costs. Get it.

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