Artist: Hammerfall
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 11/12/02
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Title: Crimson Thunder Artist: Hammerfall Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: 11/12/02 |
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Abyss's Review:
Although they represent a lot of what I hate about music, I just can't get myself to hate this band with all the venom of most of their detractors. This is problematic, because I can't really defend them either. If anyone was awaiting a grand shift in style or attitude, well, you're an idiot because AC/DC has about as much chance of tinkering with their style. What matters when it comes to a Hammerfall album is not what new ground their treading, or how diverse their music is, but rather how much fun it is to listen to.
"Let's face it, I have a hard time saying I don't like a band that I end up humming all day long." So it should be no surprise that the formula remains the same. If there is any sort of difference it is that they've made a more mid-paced album than they have in the past, and I like the production on this one better than the last record. I believe the guitar sounds a little more weighted down, but in all honesty those observances are more searched for than overtly obvious upon first listen. What Crimson Thunder brings to the table is the same thing that every other Hammerfall record has: melodies that burrow into your brain and don't let go.
Let's face it, I have a hard time saying I don't like a band that I end up humming all day long. It's not a conscious thing, mind you, I'll just be sitting at work whistling, tapping, humming (or something else equally as annoying to the person sitting next to me. Yeah, I'm that guy.) and I suddenly realize that it's a song from the new Hammerfall. I did the same thing on every previous album. Actually, on my first listen ofCrimson Thunder, I didn't think I'd have this problem. I was a little bored by most of the songs, and none of them reached out and infected me like the unforgettable (be it good or bad) "Living in Victory" off of Renegade. But after about 3 or 4 listens, it started happening. Dammit! So close to being cool, but alas, I still dig this band.
"Is this a great album? Not really. Can I really recommend it? Not really. Do I like it? (sigh) Yes. But don't make me say that again." Of course I still espouse the same old nonsense of how I really wished this band would branch out a little more, or at least not come out with the same album every time. But deep down inside (and my name's Abyss so, trust me, it's pretty deep) I know that if they did it would probably wreck the whole thing. Is Hammerfall a great band? No. Is this a great album? Not really. Can I really recommend it? Not really. Do I like it? (sigh) Yes. But don't make me say that again. One word review: Fun.
Death's Review:
Hammerfall return with another platter of cheesy, cliché-riddled heavy metal. Think Manowar meets Helloween meets Overkill meets Dokken meets Slaughter (glam metal band) meets Stryper. In all fairness to Hammerfall, this, like every other Hammerfall record, is a well-executed, well-produced effort. So if you are willing to disregard the clichés and if you are generally prone to liking this style, you may very well get into Crimson Thunder. Heck, Billboard magazine recently saw fit to include a little photo and sidebar piece about the band, and they are about to embark on a U.S. theater tour supporting Dio, so somebody's got to be paying attention. And, of course, there is strong evidence of the long-rumored power metal upswing finally starting to materialize here in the U.S., with Blind Guardian selling significant tickets for its upcoming tour. So for those folks who are way into this aspect of the scene and are hungry for some unabashed but well-played European power metal, this might be just the ticket.
"Every track on here is way sugary-sweet, dripping in melody and hook. So yes, they are infectious, just not necessarily all that interesting or good." Still, it is not really for me. It comes down not so much to the style, but the songs. They just aren't that good. Every track on here is way sugary-sweet, dripping in melody and hook. So yes, they are infectious, just not necessarily all that interesting or good. There is nothing I get from songs like the two back-to-back tracks that lead off the record ("Riders of the Storm" and "Hearts on Fire") that I haven't already heard a thousand times before. Simple riffs, boring verse-chorus-verse song structures, midtempo rythyms. Boring. Things do pick up later on in the record, and songs like the dramatic "Lore of the Arcane" and the faster, anthem-like "Trailblazers" do grab my attention.
But the ballad that follows those two tracks at the number 7 slot, "Dreams Come True," has me doing a double-take. This is really cheesy stuff - like Warrant or Firehouse or Extreme or Bon Jovi or Mr. Big kind of 1980's cheesy. Shit, if this came out in 1988, I have no doubt it could have been all over the radio and MTV. There were dozens of songs of this ilk that were big hits back then. Of course, Hammerfall does execute the track to perfection in terms of musicianship, and the stop just before/after the one phrase chorus ("dreams come true") actually works nicely and sounds kinda fresh. In fact, in many ways, from an objective "critic of music" standard and not a subjective "underground metalhead being forced to spend time with the record" standard, "Dreams Come True" may actually be one of the "better" tracks on the record. Yet any of you metalheads who are borderline on Hammerfall and are at all worried that this band just isn't heavy enough for your tastes, you are literally going to puke when you hear this love ballad. You're best to just stay away. The band counters with "Angel of Mercy" a routine Chastain cover that follows. The album closers out with a trio of songs which are for the most part better than what comes before them, but it is too little too late to save me from falling asleep.
"Existing Hammerfall fans will enjoy this record. Previous detractors have new fodder." Still, Hammerfall wave the flag of traditional metal and do so competently. They can play, their records are well-produced and they stand for a new era of metal that deserves attention through Dio tours or whatnot. I actually saw Hammerfall the last time they toured the U.S. opening for the late, great Chuck Schuldiner and Death (at the late, not-all-that-great Coney Island High in NYC, 1998). The looked the part, did a fun Judas Priest cover and generally looked to be having a ton of fun on stage. That's what this music is for, and that's what Hammerfall is all about. Fun. Don't try to think about it too much or look for them to inspire you to acts of violence, instead you can just sing along to your blaring car stereo while driving down the road (with your windows up of course). If you're into that sort of thing.
Bottom line? Hammerfall have a kinda silly style and serve up some fairly boring songwriting this time around. Still, the album is well-performed, well-produced and well-intentioned. Existing Hammerfall fans will enjoy this record. Previous detractors have new fodder.
Hel's Review:
There are just certain things in life that I am not drawn to, that just can't manage to capture my interest or affection. Things that, no matter how much exposure I receive to them, my reaction is always, "eh." Hammerfall is one of those things for me. Intellectually, I understand. But still, "eh." It simply doesn't tickle my auditory funny bone.
"Still, Hammerfall, "eh.""
"I do feel quite passionless about this release, and Hammerfall on the whole." Nor am I particularly adverse to them. Some bands I quite volubly despise. The same instinct that reacts to Hammerfall with an, "eh," explodes in other cases. Still, Hammerfall, "eh." In theory, their imagery should resound with me. My fist should pump. My hand should reach for a sword. But no.
I haven't been particularly enjoying power metal recently, that's true. And this album does measure up in every way to the other power metal I've reviewed this year. So I feel obliged to use the same measuring stick in this instance, even though I do feel quite passionless about this release, and Hammerfall on the whole. If you have enjoyed Hammerfall's other albums, Crimson Thunder will definitely meet your expectations.
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