HammerFall Album: “One Crimson Night”

If not for the S and M album by Metallica, this would easily be the best-sounding live album I've ever heard. Even better, it is, in essence, a greatest hits package from one of the most important bands of their generation -- heck, of any generation. It seems strange now, but when Hammerfall first appeared, power metal was an ember barely burning. They, as much as anyone, were responsible for re-lighting the flame -- indeed, many of the bands that have come and gone in traditional power metal since then are purely and simply imitations of these masters. Sounding something like Judas Priest if they had the attitude and lyrics of Manowar, Hammerfall never quite rises to the level of those great bands, but they are only a notch or two below them, whereas most bands are about five notches below them.

There are those who say that Hammerfall is excessively cheesy. Those people are right. However, it's the good kind of cheese, not the bad kind (that is, they are self-aware in their cheesiness, which is the only way that real metal can work. The bad kind of cheesy bands, the prog type, for example, that actually seem to take rock music one hundred percent seriously -- those are the moldy kind of rancid cheese you want to avoid).

Hammerfall is everything metal bands ought to be, but too rarely are: themes of self-empowerment communicated through universal and fantastic imagery, melodic vocals sitting atop crunching riff-based guitar work, and a relentless dedication to their own style. This band is too often taken for granted, too often under-rated, too often overlooked for the latest fad when the best-of lists are handed out. Treat yourself to some real, raw heavy metal and pick this one up.

All the classics Hammerfall tunes are here, great performance by one of the best metal bands nowadays. Special credit for singer Joacim Caans, who delivers live just as good as he does in the studio albums... surely one of the best metal vocalists. The set list is great... but be warned... get the special edition with the bonus tracks...I can't think of a Hammerfall live album without "the dragon lies bleeding".... a 10/10!

Love 'em or hate 'em, Hammerfall is here to stay and they've got an army! This is an awesome live album, with rich sound quality, a strong range of tracks, and a very excited audience! Even though Joacim is speaking in swedish, you can't help but feel pumped about what he's saying. "Riders of the Storm" has a nice extended teaser intro and rolls smashingly into "Heeding the Call." Personally I'm most fond of this album's version of "Stone Cold" if only for the crowd's blood pumping enthusiam and it's fan service encore. There isn't a bad thing about this album really. It's the same price as a normal album, but with two cd's, a great range of music, some really power house performances, and sound quality that doesn't suck. Hammerfall is consistent, potent, power charged, heavy metal, and whether you go in for their over the top nature or not, they are at the forefront of a heavy metal crusade of the ages. LET THE HAMMER FALL!!!!!!!!

This one is the first Hammerfall CD I decided to buy and definitely I am glad I did. Beginning with Riders on the Storm is simply one of the best ways to kickstart this live album.

It delivers powerful music that pleases music fans from all the world. Most of the songs are performed incredibly and accurately, making them appear like the great band they are without any single doubt.

Being a drummer myself I must say that Anders Johansson just rushes a lot, making this album sound "in a hurry" during some songs, for instance in Hearts on Fire and in the very beginning of Legacy of Kings. Other than that, songs like The Way of the Warrior, Heeding the Call and Hammerfall are just in a perfect tempo.

And also, to add a very special point to the album, it includes two songs performed at the Hard Rock Live in Guadalajara (Mexico), showing all the people the voice of the metal fans in Mexico. A very good album, that is well produced and that delivers amazing hearing pleasure. Just the drums were too fast for my liking (Johansson could have played a bit slower, to the rhythm of Oskar and Stephan and well, it would have gotten full 5 stars).