Germany is a barn for what many call Power Metal today. Names as
HELLOWEEN,
GAMMA RAY, GRAVE DIGGER, RUNNING WILD and
BLIND GUARDIAN reinforce this idea, and when a German band plays such genre is expected too much of it, a heavy burden that no one should deal with. But to hear a band as the quartet
HAMMER KING exceeds any expectation, as can be heard on
“Hammer King”, their latest release. In reality, they play a form of Heavy/Power Metal, with very good (and accessible) melodies and catchy choruses, and a clear and charming energy. Obviously that they have to deal with many clichés of the genre (everyone has, in reality), but they are really a very good name, using a personal way to tame their musical ideas. And things really work on an excellent way, even if one can say that they’re not creating something new at all.
The band worked with
Jacob Hansen on the mixing and on the mastering, and they got a very good sonority: powerful, heavy and defined. It’s all what their music needs to gain life and explode ears. And as special guests, they had
Isaac Delahaye (of
EPICA) playing the lead guitar on
“Hammerschlag”, and
Andreas Geremia on the vocals on the same track (
Andreas, in reality, is our dear
Gerre, the vocalist of the German beer abuser of
TANKARD).
The best ones:
“Awaken the Thunder” is filled with very good and accessible melodies (and an amazing chorus, where the vocals and backing vocals creates a great contrast), the same happening on the climatic and catchy
“Baptized by the Hammer” (very good and strong rhythmic work from bass guitar and drums, and what good choirs).
“Hammerschlag” is heavy as Hell and shows a very catchy set of melodies “along with good contrasts on vocals), the climatic ambiences of
“Atlantis (Epilogue)”, the oppressive weight shown on
“Ashes to Ashes” and the fast tempos of
“In the Name of the Hammer”. But all the songs are excellent.
It’s really a very good experience to hear
“Hammer King”, so enjoy what the German blacksmiths of
HAMMER KING are offering to you. You won’t regret it!
Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 8
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