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Energy metallic legends Hammerfall launched 12 studio albums between 1997 and 2022; due to this fact, it is considerably comprehensible that their prior few information—Hammer of Daybreak, Dominion, and Built to Last—confirmed diminishing artistic returns. Though their newest LP, Avenge the Fallen, would not considerably proper the ship or reinvent the wheel, its consistency ought to at the very least entice longtime followers and pull in newcomers who’ve not grown overly uninterested in what the group does.
Naturally, the identical lineup from these albums returns, and according to frontman Joacim Cans, one of many quintet’s principal targets with the gathering was merely proving that Hammerfall are nonetheless related. He additionally champions (rightly so) that Avenge the Fallen comprises “one in every of [his] finest performances on an album ever.” Likewise, founding guitarist Oscar Dronjak admits that his newfound confidence and endurance with songwriting has enhanced the group’s work and made it doable to remodel incomplete compositions from a long time previous.
All these optimistic attributes could be felt throughout the title monitor, which opens the LP in epic style due to its sometimes crushing riffs and percussion alongside passionately hooky lyrics and melodies. It is typical stuff, for certain, however it’s fairly targeted, confident, and alluring, with a number of visitor backing singers (together with Therion‘s Thomas Vikström and Armored Saint‘s John Bush) often shouting the title with the communal fervor of empowered Vikings and pirates.
The in-your-face speediness and finally shift into softer territory on “The Finish Justifies” gleefully harkens again to earlier Hammerfall, too. Then, the storytelling and rhythmic changeups of “Hail to the King” are very charming, with its sturdy stability of timid verses and triumphant choruses completely kicking off a killer guitar solo. The proggier tendencies 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.
Whereas there are not any out-and-out dangerous tracks right here, a handful—”Freedom,” “Rise of Evil,” and “Burn It Down”—are comparatively samey and simple (so they don’t seem to be as interesting or commendable). Plus, “Freedom” often homes corny platitudes (“Chart your ethical course to steer your path,” “Rise 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, good vs. evil, future, and the like, however for essentially the most half, the opposite tracks do a greater job at emphasizing extra unique and intelligent lyricism.
These lesser tracks apart, Avenge the Fallen is an especially satisfying trip that Hammerfall lovers (and style aficionados general) ought to have fun. Certain, among the criticisms lobbied in opposition to their most up-to-date releases nonetheless stand, they usually do not precisely step exterior of their consolation zone or shakeup energy metallic as we all know it. But, Hammerfall do sufficient to warrant the worth of admission and the time spent digesting their newest opus. In different phrases, they continue to be a dependable ensemble who excel at doing what they love sufficient to deservingly preserve audiences coming again.
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