Energy steel legends Hammerfall launched 12 studio albums between 1997 and 2022; subsequently, it is slightly comprehensible that their prior few information—Hammer of Break of day, Dominion, and Constructed to Ultimate—confirmed diminishing ingenious returns. Even though their newest LP, Avenge the Fallen, does not considerably proper the send or reinvent the wheel, its consistency must a minimum of lure longtime fans and pull in newbies who have now not grown overly bored with what the crowd does.
Naturally, the similar lineup from the ones albums returns, and in keeping with frontman Joacim Cans, probably the most quintet’s major objectives with the gathering was once merely proving that Hammerfall are nonetheless related. He additionally champions (rightly so) that Avenge the Fallen incorporates “one in every of [his] easiest performances on an album ever.” Likewise, founding guitarist Oscar Dronjak admits that his newfound self belief and persistence with songwriting has enhanced the crowd’s paintings and made it imaginable to transform incomplete compositions from many years previous.
All the ones certain attributes can also be felt inside the identify observe, which opens the LP in epic style due to its usually crushing riffs and percussion along passionately hooky lyrics and melodies. It is standard stuff, evidently, however it is relatively targeted, confident, and inviting, with a bunch of visitor backing singers (together with Therion‘s Thomas Vikström and Armored Saint‘s John Bush) now and again shouting the identify with the communal fervor of empowered Vikings and pirates.
The in-your-face speediness and in the end shift into softer territory on “The Finish Justifies” gleefully harkens again to previous Hammerfall, too. Then, the storytelling and rhythmic changeups of “Hail to the King” are very charming, with its sturdy steadiness of timid verses and triumphant choruses completely kicking off a killer guitar solo. The proggier dispositions of “Hero to All”—in addition to the delicately symphonic nature of “Hope Springs Everlasting” and the weighty finality of nearer “Time Immemorial”—additionally spice issues up sufficient to be each gratifyingly contemporary and likably acquainted.
Whilst there don’t seem to be any out-and-out unhealthy tracks right here, a handful—”Freedom,” “Upward push of Evil,” and “Burn It Down”—are fairly samey and easy (so they are now not as interesting or commendable). Plus, “Freedom” now and again homes corny platitudes (“Chart your ethical direction to persuade your trail,” “Upward push and be the grasp of your future”) that may’t assist however make you roll your eyes. True, the fantasy-tinged style is all about mythology, quests, excellent vs. evil, future, and the like, however for essentially the most phase, the opposite tracks do a greater activity at emphasizing extra authentic and suave lyricism.
The ones lesser tracks apart, Avenge the Fallen is a particularly stress-free journey that Hammerfall fans (and style aficionados general) must have a good time. Certain, one of the vital criticisms lobbied towards their most up-to-date releases nonetheless stand, and they do not precisely step outdoor in their convenience zone or shakeup energy steel as we understand it. But, Hammerfall do sufficient to warrant the cost of admission and the time spent digesting their newest opus. In different phrases, they continue to be a competent ensemble who excel at doing what they love sufficient to deservingly stay audiences coming again.
