Customer Reviews

Crimson Thunder

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

With "Crimson Thunder", Sweden's mighty metal line-up have achieved maturity in their epic metal style. The production is the best it's been on any of their albums, and gone are many of the skull-splitting thrash rockers which plagued albums such as "Glory to the Brave" and "Legacy of Kings". I don't mind fast-paced guitars and shredding solos but (I asked myself) must there also be frenetic, hyper-sonically fast and annoying drumming on every track? It seems Hammerfall has answered my prayer, for these types of songs are gone from this album, with the exception of the tolerable 3rd track. Instead, Hammerfall opts for a slightly more midtempo, but undeniably heavy and melodic sound, first begun on their album "Renegade". It's best exemplified by the classic "Riders of the Storm". This song proves beyond a doubt that a guitar solo can be FREAKIN' AWESOME without needing to be ultra-fast or accompanied by insanely fast banging on the drum set... it's a Hammerfall classic. Other excellent songs include "Hearts on Fire", the title track, the incredible "Trailblazers", and "The Unforgiving Blade". Also of note is Stefan's instrumental on track 10, which is considerably more melodic and superior to the one he wrote for "Renegade". The ballad "Dreams Come True" is very good, as is usual for Hammerfall, and features a beautiful string performance. That being said, not one of Hammerfall's ballads since "Glory to the Brave" have been able to match the divine title track from that album. Also, it should be said that "Crimson Thunder", while an awesome album, is not quite the ambitious effort that "Renegade" was. Sure, the songs on "Crimson Thunder" are good, some are even spectacular, but it's obvious that they are patterned after the same style as those on "Renegade", much as "Legacy of Kings" had a bit of a similar sound as "Glory to the Brave" (see my remark on the thrash-metal songs above). "Renegade" took Hammerfall in new direction, and while "Crimson Thunder" follows in that direction, the material wasn't quite as fresh and ambitious as what "Renegade" had going. If you don't believe me, listen to "Templars of Steel" and "Renegade" on the "Renegade" album. Not only are these songs killer Hammerfall classics, but you'll notice that the have a similar sound and style as to what you'll hear on "Crimson Thunder"... although the boys are definately getting better and better with each album. That being said, "Crimson Thunder" is yet another Hammerfall classic. I find it ranks up there with "Renegade" and surpasses "Legacy of Kings" and "Glory to the Brave" (except in its ballad).
On a final note, I saw these guys in concert touring with Dio and they are spectacular performers, very much into their music and into their fans... "mighty warriors one by one"! Sure they dress in armor and metal paraphernalia, but why not? They're rock stars and their music is some of the best I've heard in a long time!!
LET THE HAMMER FALL!!!

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."

Hammerfall continues their charge for glorious Power Metal with their fourth release, Crimson Thunder. All the metal songs are great, On the Edge of Honour, Trailblazers, Unforgiving Blade, and Hero's Return are all instant classics. My only beef with the album would be Dreams Come True, the ballad, and the cover of Kiss' song Detroit Rock City. Hammerfall is just not good at Power Ballads, and they shouldn't have a place on a Hammerfall album anyway. After 6 tracks of rising up and slaying your enemies you're PUMPED, you're ready for the FIGHT OF YOUR LIFE. Then the tinkling piano keys come in and Joacim Cans starts singing about "kiss me once and I will die" and... and it just makes you want to cry :'(. Fortunately the album doesn't leave that as it's after-taste like previous efforts do, Hammerfall quickly redeem themselves but the scar remains. If this band would just make an album without a Power Ballad I would give that five stars and it would be their BEST ALBUM EVER. But until then I'm more than happy to rock out to Trailblazers, press the skip button, and get ready for Angel of Mercy. Hell yes.

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.

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. On each 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

i was already disapointed when i heard Renegade , i thought it was not as POWER as Glory to the brave and Legacy , but it was still Power metal(very poor but still power metal) but this Crimson Thunder really ... , it's almost another band , it almost made me remember some 80's glam bands .... the songs are so boring,basic,pointless(try listening to Hearts on Fire and count how many times Joacim Cans says "Hearts on fire" on the song.)As a reviewer said before , the songs just wont stick right away in your mind , really , the songs have nothing interesting to listen to , if you want something cool and POWER METAL buy Glory to The brave or legacy of kings.Dont buy this one,you might need the money for more important things.

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.

On Hammerfall's 4th full-length album, we see that they are only getting better. All tracks are well produced and better quality than their previous work. The best being Angel of Mercy, Crimson Thunder and A Hero's Return. If you like Iron Maiden or any other band in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal back in the 80's. You'll love hammerfall...it's too bad radio in U.S. will never play any of their songs :( My local rock station even has the nerve to play Eminem :( :(

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
The very first HammerFall song I heard.

Hearts on Fire 10.0
One of the best HammerFall songs

On the Edge of Honour 8.6
This is starting to get hard because I love the whole cd. Yes another good song

Crimson Thunder 10.0
Awesome vocals and backing vocals good song all around.

Lore of the Arcane 9.9
One of the Best intros ever.

Trailblazers 8.9
This song makes me want to do some trailbalzing

Dreams come True 9.8
Most people hate this song and wonder why it has good guitars and is an all around good song.

Angel of Mercy 6.7
Every cd has a song on it I don't love even a cd as good as this.

The Unforgiving Blade 9.9
Ranks up there as one of the best HammerFall songs ever.

In Memoriam 7.9
A good insturmental song

Hero's Return 9.7
This song features some exellent guitar work by Stefan Elmgren.
All around good song.

Rising Force 8.7
An Exellent cover of an Yngwie J. Malmsteen song.

This album... in it's entirety... is a god-sent! From the thunderous roar of 'Rider's on the Storm'... to the strings and harmonies of 'Dream's Come True'... these artists have created a modern masterpiece. I've loved Hammerfall since I first heard them... but Crimson Thunder sealed my place as a true Hammerfall fan... there's just something completely captivating about the band... every member holds up their respective parts amazingly... the raw music talent... the awe-inspiring composition... and this album represents everything wonderous about them... it sent chills down my spine... an undisputeable 5-star!