Artist: Hammerfall
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 11/14/00
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Title: Renegade Artist: Hammerfall Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: 11/14/00 |
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Abyss's Review:
I don’t know, but I think this album is just what I needed right now. It’s been a while since I’ve heard a power metal album that I could really enjoy, but this one’s getting the job done, and that is really surprising to me. As most of you already know, Hammerfall is currently competing with Blind Guardian to see who can out-“true metal” the other. Both of these bands give a big middle finger to trends, playing music that is only for die-hard power metal fans. Let’s face it, no one is buying these albums or going to these shows to “fit in”. They are doing these things because they have a deep love for music that most find melodramatic and let’s just say it, downright cheesy. So make fun of them all you want, but that takes a certain degree of integrity.
"And what’s this Metal Crusade thing that’s going to conquer all? Are we trying to take the Holy Land again? Is there going to be a draft?" Hammerfall is easy to make fun of, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t roll my eyes and grin during parts of this album. I mean, after all, I can only take visions of warriors and burning flames so seriously. And what’s this Metal Crusade thing that’s going to conquer all? Are we trying to take the Holy Land again? Is there going to be a draft? I must have missed that meeting, I’m not trying to conquer anybody, I just like heavy music, but I digress.
While this album doesn’t quite live up to the quality of their last effort, Legacy of Kings, this album is definitely a must have for fans of the genre, and it’s a damn fun listen for us who just dabble in this sort of thing as well. There are a handful of tunes on here that just get you swinging your arms and raising your stein of beer. Hell, when I listen to it drunk, I even start thinking about enlisting for this Crusade thing. Their use of melody, while I find it hard to take seriously is infectious, reminding me of the finer qualities of Helloween. My favorite song, “Living in Victory” is the best example of this hook come chorus time. You can’t stop singing this song in your head even if you try. And it isn’t the only one. “Templars of Steel”, “The Way of the Warrior”, “The Champion”, and “Keep the Flame Burning” (oh it’s burning all right) are all quality anthems, but unfortunately all of the other songs are pretty much filler. The vocals are a little confusing as well, as it seems the lyricist was more interested in getting words to rhyme, rather than having them make any sense. “Do you remember how we used to say that everything around us was made of clay?” Why no, I actually don’t. I’m not saying I never said that, I just don’t remember it. It’s quite possible I was drunk when I said it and don’t remember. I say a lot of stupid things when I’m drunk. I do a lot of stupid things when I’m drunk too… I like being drunk.
"This album is definitely a must have for fans of the genre, and it’s a damn fun listen for us who just dabble in this sort of thing as well." Anyway, with Hammerfall you pretty much know what you’re getting. And while this album is a little disappointing compared to its predecessor, it’s still a hell of a lot of fun. All hail the metal clad warrior guy thing!
Death's Review:
"Ren-e-gade! Ren-e-gade!" I just can't get this god-awful chorus out of my head!!!! Ahhhhhh!!! Hammerfall writes power-cheese with the best of 'em, and tracks like this one and "The Way of the Warrior" combine the epic silliness of it all with an excellent, clean production and superb musicianship. Do cheesy songs recorded well by proficient players equal anything worthwhile? Sure, if you are into this sort of thing. I clearly am not. Yes, Hammerfall embrace and support the traditional heavy metal ideals, however, they are so-cliché ridden it is almost laughable. But it's not just my ear, it's what Hammerfall are intended to be. Just ask Jesper Stromblad, In Flames guitarist and Hammerfall songwriting contributor since the beginning of the band. When asked how In Flames and Hammerfall differ in a 1999 interview, Stromblad told the Metal Update that "They're a straight classic heavy metal band. And In Flames is more progressive. But that's the point with Hammerfall. They're supposed to be just straight heavy metal, cliches and it's so funny." Exactly. And I don't really look for my metal to be cliché-ridden and funny. Call me crazy, but that's just me.
"Do cheesy songs recorded well by proficient players equal anything worthwhile? Sure, if you are into this sort of thing. I clearly am not." So I get that Hammerfall is high profile. I get that they are carrying the torch and keeping the traditional metal values alive. I appreciate the production, and I recognize that they are good players. I even find myself having to look past the fact that Chuck Schuldiner saw fit to take them on tour, and that the bill was good for the cause of unification of the metal scene, a cause I actively support. So I don't begrudge Hammerfall their place. If you are into Blind Gaurdian, Gamma Ray and Helloween, I don't see any reason why you will not appreciate this one as well. But if you're asking me, Death, to tell you what I think of the new Hammerfall record, I'll tell you I give it a mere two skulls, thank you very much, and quickly put this one back on the shelf.
Hel's Review:
If you have no love for catchy, slightly cheesy, beer swinging, anthem-like songs, Hammerfall is certainly not the band for you. But, if you can appreciate well-performed music that achieves remarkable levels of depth for the rather shallow general nature of its sub-genre, you will be able to appreciate and enjoy Renegade.
"It's hard to take this stuff seriously, and I suspect there is a level on which we are not supposed to. Or at least I hope so..." Now, you must understand that I am not dissing power metal as a whole here; I am simply highlighting its foibles for the sake of discussion. Quite frankly, however, it is these very foibles that prevent many people from becoming fans of power metal who otherwise might be. Again, no insults, just fact.
The music on the album is top-notch, with strong structures and excellent performances turned in by all the musicians involved. A strong Iron Maiden influence is readily evident in the title track, and you can clearly identify other sources of musical inspiration, such as Helloween, throughout the album.
Now, we must move on to the vocals/lyrics. The lyrics on Renegade are, overall, corny yet inspiring. Unfortunately, the vocal delivery is cheesy as hell at all times, clearly tipping the scales in the favor of "corny" and away from "inspiring". It's hard to take this stuff seriously, and I suspect there is a level on which we are not supposed to. Or at least I hope so...
Hands down, I think the best song on the album is "Raise the Hammer (Instrumental)" which really highlights the strong musical structure this band stands upon, plus there are no vocals to fuck it up. Yeah, that's right, the vocals are my sticking point once again. As we've learned in the past, if I don't like the singer, I can't like the album. So now it's your turn to decide, metal reader.
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