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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"The hammer has fallen, the fire still burns in our hearts!", November 26, 2002
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!!!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Power Metal., February 3, 2005
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."
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Templars are back on the street.... again, October 20, 2003
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.
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