Hammerfall Album: “Crimson Thunder”

Hammerfall's album, "Crimson Thunder," is mostly mid-tempo Power Metal with frequent bursts of brilliance amid passionate vocalizations with medieval lyrics. While these lyrics sometimes cross over to the fairly cheesy, see "The Unforgiving Blade" for a rank example, the performances by the band eventually save the day. Their cover of Chastain's "Angel of Mercy" is inspired, sounding unabashedly like an Iron Maiden song revamped. I hate to point out any flaws because this band really enjoys playing these songs regardless of criticism that what they are doing has all been done before. But they mimic their heroes well, namely 80s Power Metal bands. The ballad "Dreams Come True" is actually one of the better songs on the album and is a nice change of pace from the charging riffs and echoing choruses present in nearly every song here. The title song, "Crimson Thunder," actually reminded me of several Judas Priest songs with similar sustained-4 riffs, and I knew if I only waited for the bridge a good guitar solo was waiting for me(it was there, alright). "Hearts on Fire" is a fan favorite, but I don't particularly like repetitive choruses, so for me the song gets old fast. "Riders of the Storm" works even though the rhythm guitar is incredibly simple, the lead guitar flourishes kicking in frequently enough to sustain the song to the end. "On the Edge of Honour" is a brisk Power Metal excursion with some of the best vocals on the album, conjuring images of Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) belting out songs. The two all-music tracks, "In Memorium" and "Lore of the Arcane" are okay but constitute filler on an otherwise solid album. "Trailblazers" jumps out of the gate with some great riffing, slows down a bit for the vocals to kick in, then a memorable chorus over sustained power chords; eventually, Maiden-esque guitar flourishes hit before returning to those same charging riffs that started everything. As for their cover of Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," not only is it out of place with the overall ambience of the CD but does anyone really need to hear that song again? The songcraft on "Hero's Return" has surprising and often complex guitar work and a chaingang chorus, and is a splendid way to end the disc proper. This album is a great way to relive the glory days of 80s Power Metal with a new band passionate and talented enough to carry the songs to their grandiose heights. This style of music is surely not for everyone, but for those who enjoy Power Metal loaded with accessible songs nostalgic enough to pay homage to their heroes yet fresh enough to stand on its own, one could certainly do worse than Hammerfall's "Crimson Thunder."

This is probably the least inspired collection of songs I've ever heard. It would have to be, for Kiss's Detroit Rock City to be included on a power metal album. These songs simply lack any hint of brilliance. This is not to say that they all suck. However, they don't really soar. The overuse and abuse of chanting sorta drags down rhe otherwise decent vocals, the lyrics are about 6.5/10 on the cheesy scale, and the guitar solos suck. Let me be blunt; these guys aren't very good musicians. Passable, but neither original nor exceptional. The music hear actually has a lot in common with 80's glam metal (perhaps explaining the otherwise inexplicable KISS cover?). It's sort of a combination of glam and power metal. The song Dreams Come True is a sleazy ballad written for some record exec. The best songs hear are The Unforgiving Blade, Riders On The Storm, Trailblazer, and Hearts on Fire, although these all abuse the chanting a little too much. The song Lore of the Arcane is a pointless and boring bit of chanting, In Memoriam is a boring mid tempo instrumental, and Angel of Mercy, Hero's Return, and Crimson Thunder are all bland, mid-tempo bits of power metal that are safe to listen too, but pointless. I would recommend over this album some Dragonforce, Blind Guardian, Demons and Wizards, Iced Earth, Helloween, or if you like the glam, Motley Crue, Ratt, W.A.S.P., LA Guns, or Cinderella. Also, what I've heard of Hammerfall's other albums has been considerably better than this.

This album is a far cry from material such as Legacy of Kings. These new songs sound much more mainstream to me. It sounds much more rough and dirty like classic metal. I suppose this may appeal to some tastes. I'm getting the impression that they're trying to appeal to a wider audiance or get on American radio. If they continue in this direction, they'll loose at least one American fan.

Very repetitious, very unimaginative. There's just not much here folks. I guess it still works as decent party music.

I can't say this is the best HammerFall cd because they don't have a best cd all their cds are good, and this one is no exeption.

Riders of the Storm 8.7

Hearts on Fire 10.0

On the Edge of Honour 8.6

Crimson Thunder 10.0

Lore of the Arcane 9.9

Trailblazers 8.9

Dreams come True 9.8

Angel of Mercy 6.7

The Unforgiving Blade 9.9

In Memoriam 7.9

Hero's Return 9.7

Rising Force 8.7

I love Hammerfall, thier first albumwas ok, but not too solid. Legacy.. and Renegade are awesome, at least 4.5 to 5 stars. Crimson Thunder now is definately 5 stars. teh only weak ppint is the cover, but hey it's a cover...

ALl the songs rock and flow, true metal. My fave is prolly Hearts on Fire. Sure a little cheesy (maybe), but I don't care; if I could write/play songs like these then I would complain. 2 instrumentals, but they are nice and short, and melodic. This basically blows most everything out of the water that was released the same time... Why can't America have more bands like this? I can listen form start to finish and still want more.

a great album.