Genre: Power

Label: Nuclear Blast

IS Rating: 7

Comments: Everyone’s favorite Templars embark on a new crusade.

Release Date: February 20, 2009

Depending on what year it was, Hammerfall have oft been dismissed as untalented clones, purveyors of redundant cheese, and being at the bottom rung of the musical ladder. On its flipside, for every new album this Swedish quintet released, their loyal following has steadfastly championed their goal since the late 90’s: delivering pure, unadulterated, heavy metal. It wouldn’t be too surprising to know that such enthusiasm has finally silenced the critics and given the band longevity, which is itself rare in metal.

This 2009, the cheese Templars return with their eighth full-length opus sounding better than ever. Of course, it’d be foolish to expect anything more from these guys than slaying guitar harmonies, generous helpings of melody, and songs with cool titles. What further embellishes the band’s reputation for “No Sacrifice, No Victory” is despite the personnel change on guitar and bass (Fredrik Larrson and Pontus Norgren), they’re still the same old Hammerfall who first strode into glory almost two decades ago.

Opening with the power and might of “By Any Means Necessary” that has a chorus straight from a Rogers and Hammerstein musical. Hammerfall are completely in the zone here, much to the dismay of those who consider sounding like Judas Priest, Saxon, and a broadway production a liability. Its follow up “Life Is Now” cuts both ways—it’s a song you’d expect on a Disney movie that makes you wanna get up and dance, yet still very metal. These guys should seriously consider doing soundtracks for cartoons.

“Punish and Enslave,” “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” “Bring The Hammer Down,” and the title track unleash the heavy sh*t everyone loves raising their fists to, but the album teeters on several lackluster tracks in-between, notably on the been-there-done-that power ballad “Between two Worlds.” With a complimentary instrumental (“Something for The Ages”) plus an awful rendition of “My Sherona” to get heads scratching, Hammerfall seem more focused these days on simply enjoying themselves than kicking serious bunghole. 

Miguel Blardony