Hammerfall - (r)Evolution

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Once upon a time, there was a record label, Nuclear Blast Records, this record label housed some of the biggest metal bands there is and will ever be. One day the label signed a band by the name of HAMMERFALL who were slated to become one of the largest bands in Power Metal. Who would have known more than 20 years down the road HAMMERFALL would still be a Power Metal powerhouse.

Eleven songs isn't enough after waiting for this album but it'll have to do for now. So far "Hector's Hymn" the opening track that sets the tone for the album, as well as "Bushido" a classic HAMMERFALL song have been released so I'd like to avoid to much talk about those. "Live Life Loud" is one of those songs every Power Metal band has, basically in not so many words being a typical song they would play live, everyone would sing the words and admire the beauty of the solo and it tells you to be loud, of course. "Tainted Metal" has one of the best riffs on the album, this song makes you want to move with the hit of the double bass and the galloping riff. The lyrics are a different story, being not about bands not being true metal, but being about a typical Power Metal subject Dragons and Wizards and Demons and whatever mayhem they can get in there, the transitions between verse and chorus and solos are all flawless, as you'd expect from such a classic band. "Wildfire" is this albums closer, starting with just absolute chaos. A choir brings you into the song chanting "wildfire," the fast paced explosion this song erupts into, as well as the use of the choir in the chorus and the incredible solo are all just a front. About halfway through HAMMERFALL have a "Master Of Puppets" style moment, where the entirety of the song is changed, you wouldn't believe its the same song until BAM you're back into "WILDFIRE, WILDFIRE, WILDFIRE!!"

Overall, this is a HAMMERFALL album, it may not be a "( r )Evolution" to Power Metal but hell, its pretty damn classic HAMMERFALL and that's all you can ask for!