Hammerfall - Steel Meets Steel: Ten Years Of Glory (CD)

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Time really flies! This compilation comes to sum things about the Swedish Power Metal band HAMMERFALL. I can still remember the fuss created inside the European Metal scene when the band's debut album Glory To The Brave saw the light of the day back in 1997. Indeed their up-tempo Power Metal with the distinct influences from HELLOWEEN and the not so obvious ones from RUNNING WILD helped them to quickly build a strong and loyal fan base. Actually, HAMMERFAll had the chance to get on tour with GAMMA RAY that helped them to promote their name and music. So, after ten years and six albums Nuclear Blast releases a double CD compilation featuring the band's best studio moments.
HAMMERFALL's music has been keenly criticized for being too simple and rather predictable. I partially agree with the aforementioned criticism as far as the albums  Renegade and Crimson Thunder are concerned. On the other hand Glory To The Brave is a debut album that many bands would kill to have since it targeted to the heart of all the Epic Metal die hard fans. Their last treat Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken renewed my personal interest to the band comprising some really good songs that kind of reminded me their prime days. So, this compilation is an excellent way to get the whole picture about HAMMERFALL since it contains all the band's major hits from the fast galloping German Power Metal influenced songs to the epic ala MANOWAR ballads.
Unfortunately, the bonus material cannot convince anyone who owes the band's whole back catalogue since it features the new track Last Man Standing, a new version of the classic Hammerfall and three live recorded tracks. I think this release is perfect for the new HAMMERFALL fans or the die hard collectors who want to have everything from their favorite band. Last Man Standing is the classic let's-sing-together track that comes with catchy chorus and epic guitar melodies presenting the band's characteristic sound and attitude.
As a compilation, this release can be rated as successful since it contains the best moments of the Swedes that sums up their career. On the other hand, it has nothing new or interesting to offer apart from the new song and the new recording (I still prefer the original one). Proceed at your own risk…