Customer Reviews

Chapter V: Unbent Unbowed Unbroken

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was in my teens during the 80s and witnessed classic metal split into thrash and hair. Hammerfall is what you get if that split had never happened - classic 80s style heavy metal. Is it original? No. Is it fantastic? Depends on the song. Is it better than a lot of metal being put out today? Yes. My favorite is probably 'Blood Bound.' That's a cool anthem straight out of 1985. There's some good melodic solos on this record and they have an actual singer. Oh yeah, Cronos from Venom makes on appearance on the final track. Great to hear him again. He still sounds the same - which is a compliment. I guess you could call him a classic extreme vocalist but he doesn't sound cartoonish like the extreme vocalists of today. I like Legacy of Kings by this band better, though. If you like this, check out Blind Guardian. They have a similar style but their overall musicianship is leaps and bounds above Hammerfall.

I've long come to understand that originality has never been Hammerfall's strong side. To this day, their first album, Glory to the Brave, and perhaps their second one, Legacy of Kings, are the only ones I consider essential listenings, and only for power metal fans that is. Nothing wrong with not being original or groundbreaking, I love many bands that repeat themselves, but with Hammerfall, I just can't get over the 'cheese' factor.

That said, Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken (kinda cheesy title, even by Hammerfall standards, no?) is an okay album, and that's saying a lot. The music is exactly like what you'd expect to hear from them. Lots of melodic guitar lines with fast, double drum bass, high pitched vocals (sometimes too high though) and the typical victorious lyrics to round things up. As the band's previous studio release, Crimson Thunder, this one was also produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (Blind Guardian) and has a similar overall vibe. One exception is that the guitar work tends to go back to their Glory to the Brave minus the speed; that's a shame because it's the speed on Glory what made that disc so powerful compared to their other releases.

Most of the songs are quite midtempo and rarely see the 5 minute mark. Vocalist Joacim Cans proved to me that he can make a killer singer with his solo disc and I still stand by the opinion that his solo album is a better effort than all Hammerfall discs combined. However, on this album, Cans tends to sing higher than his range allows and the outcome isn't all that impressive. The vocals in the beginning of "Fury of the Wild", especially in the verses, sung over childishly weak riffs is abysmal. I also can't stand some of the horrid backup vocals on tunes like "Hammer of Justice" and "Born to Rule", which are otherwise quite solid compositions. I especially like these pieces cause Cans delivers the lyrics in a relatively more aggressive manner, rather than the happy-go generic Euro power tunes. As always, there is the mandatory ballad "Never, Ever" that, though good, doesn't do much for me. Hammerfall ballads have never appealed to me for some reason, but I find the chorus of this song particularly cheesy. The melancholy continues on the little instrumental piece "Imperial", which is just acoustic guitars that go slightly over two minutes.

The highlight of the album is the opening track "Secrets"; it's one of the fastest and most energetic tracks with tasty lead guitar work and memorable melodies. This album would have been more to my liking if they'd continued to write such songs that focus on heavy riffs, outstanding vocals, gripping choruses and somewhat more interesting drumming. I don't understand why they didn't make more use of Anders Johansson's abilities, since he has already proven everyone what a monster player he is. We still get to hear a little drum fury on "The Templar Flame", but it's not enough. I also highly anticipated the 12-minute 'epic', "Knights of the 21st Century", because of Venom frontman Cronos' contribution. Unfortunately I was terribly disappointed that the song is perhaps even slower than most of the midtempo tunes. Moreover, this is by no means a duet as some have claimed. Cans and Cronos hardly sing anything together. The song begins with groans from Cronos and after about three minutes Cans begins to sing. Somewhere in the middle, there's a brief melody they share and then it goes back to Cans doing more Euro power metal vocals, except less passionately. At around the 10-minute mark, we are offered a two minute silence before Cronos makes his way into the track one last time whispering something, and the album is over.

Hammerfall fans will dig Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken just fine. Also, I believe most power metal fans will find something that appeals to them. However, for those of you expecting something different, heavier, more energetic or simply a return to Glory to the Brave, you may want to look elsewhere.

For years the only good metal has been black and death metal. Finally there is reason to listen to rejoice. This is Classic metal reborn. Definatly worth 5 stars

Having come late to the Templars of HammerFall, I did not experience the exhilaration with which many people met "Glory to the Brave" and "Legacy of Kings", but that may make me a more objective observer, and one who doesn't suffer from HammerFall burnout. I notice that I'm in the minority, but I find "Crimson Thunder" and "Chapter V" the strongest HammerFall albums.

Firstly, Joacim Cans' vocal performance is in my view his best so far. The production may help as well, as the reverb levels seem to be set perfect, and his voice doesn't sound thin like on "Renegade". There is more power behind his performance and this makes all the difference in portraying a mighty feel for the album.

The rest of the production is also impeccable, but they had mostly attained that by "Crimson Thunder".

Songwriting wise, I have heard criticisms of them ranging from being too stagnant to too cheesy; but these are traits that can be defined conversely as consistent and fantastical. I would rather have the cheesiness of metal warriors than of the 'best part of waking up' vocals of Evergrey cheesiness, but I digress.

The opener "Secrets" is a fairly typical Hammerfall song, but is entertaining. The album's strongest moments begin with the second song, "Blood Bound", and continue to the best song on the album "Fury of the Wild". This is an unbelievably catchy tune which you will be singing to yourself for days. This continues to another mighty chorus-driven tune, "Hammer of Justice", which kills.

Weak parts include "Born to Rule" and "The Templar Flame", these are songs that I just don't see the point of.

But "Knights of the 21st Century" is a plodding yet rousing epic; a slow paced rock song with an anthemic, potent chorus. This is a killer song and yes, as everyone knows, it features Cronos. He sounds kind of silly though; especially in the intro. But the verses make up for it because it is a nice novelty to have him guest on this track.

Don't listen to the naysayers, if you like the HammerFall formula of catchy, heavy tunes, in the same approach as Crimson Thunder but with better songwriting, pick this up.

I took a chance on this from the 30 second clip. I was not disappointed. Good riffs and lyrics. Good rhythm and tempo. If you liked the older metal from the early to mid 80's, you'll like this(and I don't mean the hair metal).

This is power metal make no mistake about that and for what it is, it's very good. It has all kinds of nicely played well arranged parts that flow together seamlessly. It really is nicely done. It's not ground breaking power metal, but it's good stuff . The mix is excellent as well which makes it even better in my books as I hate crappy mixes.

The only thing I could have done without was the Yelling/grunting/whatever you want to call it at the beginning of the last track, Knights Of The 21st Century. Ok already, enough with "the Prophecy argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hell yeah", we get it already!

This is a fine cd, so pick it up if you enjoy power metal, prog metal, 80's metal etc as I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

Hammerfall brought me back to metal many years ago when i was on the wayward path of grunge and post-grunge. This is just a new evolution of Hammerfall's sound and they havent sold out to nu-metal like soilwork or in-flames to some extent. Both these bands of a different genre but i just needed to mention em here. This will take some time to grow for new fans but old ones can lap it up. I still like Joacim Cans solo album "Beyond the gates" better than this, probably cause its more heavier but i like this better than Crimson Thunder and the double bass is less prevalent than it was on earlier albums and i think thats a good thing to do while still staying in the power metal vein.For fans of Maiden to Dio, Sabbath to Candlemass, heck even Motley Crues to Skid Row for that matter,give hammerfall a try, start with any album and you wont be disappointed. This one is more accessible and you'll be refreshed with the vocals alone, away from the mindless'I hate myself" that is on MTV these days in the name of metal

Hammerfall's new album is a definite rocker. I must say I was pleasantly surprised to find ten very good tracks at 50 minutes and change instead of 5 good and 5 so so tracks.

The guitar sound on Chapter 5 is excellent, with leads traded by Mr. Elmgren and Mr. Dronjak. Some of their best fretwork since "Legacy of Kings". Standout songs: "Hammer of Justice", "born to Rule", "secrets", "Fury of the Wild".

Joacim Cans sings well, and does not try to shout or scream, which makes this album even more powerful in a subtle way.

Great lyrics, mean guitar hooks, and maginificent drumming by Anders Johannsson make this a very good return to the Hammerfall of old.

There is even a guest appearance by Kronos from the famous death metal trio Venom on "Knights of the 21st Century". He sounds as wicked and tough as he did 25 years ago.

Overall the album is lyrically and mucially superior to the last two albums, Renegade and Crimson Thunder. While it does not equal the speed and heaviness of "Legacy of Kings", it comes very very close. And that's great. Sometimes slower is better if done properly, and it is done right on Chapter V.

I was first introduced to Hammerfall when I came home one day from a college class to find my brother worshiping the television after he saw the video for "Hearts on Fire". He immediately bought the album and since, we have been collecting they're releases. I have all but "Glory to the Brave" (next on my list) and "One Crimson Night", and after hearing the Hammerfall collection, I must say... Bravo on Chapter 5. Its not as good as the others but they dont have a 4.5 rating on amazon and it would be an insult to give this album anything less. The single, "Blood Bound" winds me up whenever I hear it. The lyrics to this song continue the Hammerfall tradition of crushing the enemies of metal and inspire their 'army' to even greater hopes and dreams for a heavy metal revolution in the United States of America. (Iced Earth and Hammerfall tour? sound good anyone?)The rest of the album is well played with honorable mention for "Fury of the Wild" and "Hammer of Justice". After listening to the whole album several times, I feel I must note an intersting song... the last one, called "Knights of the 21st Century". A surprise to me when I read the notes is that the notorious Cronos from Venom is a guest singer on this song. I like Venom well enough, so I figured "Oh hell yes... quickly switch to track 10!". What I found was almost comic. As with Cronos custom, he tends to growl alot but this... it almost sounded like Hammerfall hired the voice talent for some of the orks from Lord of the Rings. Cronos wasn't only growling but he was... um... grunting? I am not sure if that is the right word but as for the song itself... well, a bit long however, not awful.

There is only one song that I will give a negative mark, that being track 1 "Secrets". I couldn't really put my finger on it... I dunno. It just didn't seem like that good of a song.

But 8 out of 10 songs is a kick ass album to me! Rock on all true followers of the faith. Hopefully see yea on tour!

Hammerfall is one of the best modern metal bands around today. Most of the other modern so called "metal" bands are nothing but screaming crap. Hammerfall took the best parts of 80's metal and solidified it together with an updated sound. They have a lot of skill and talent. Their songs are powerful and heavy and yet actually have melody that you can follow. You can hear and understand all the words. But again, they are extremely powerful and heavy. They have a constant Middle Age theme running through all their albums which is what makes them unique. It creates a certain mood and flow that connects all the songs on an album.

Now about rating their albums...all 5 of their albums rock! But the last 4 are better than the first. Their first is good heavy metal, much better than most metal bands today, but the songs did not completely "click" and come together. However, that issue was completely gone by the second album! None of their next 4 albums are better than the other. They all are as good as heavy power metal with melodic vocals can get. With each new album they further develop their style and introduce a few new things. But... and a very important but... each album still sounds like Hammerfall! They remain true to their sound. So here are the ratings:
3.5 Glory to the Brave
5.0 Legacy Of Kings
5.0 Renegade
5.0 Crimson Thunder
5.0 Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken