(Rated this album with 8 out of 10) Reviewed by
gameguy103
from small-town North Carolina
Hammerfall continues their charge for glorious Power Metal with their fourth release, Crimson Thunder. All the metal songs are great, On the Edge of Honour, Trailblazers, Unforgiving Blade, and Hero's Return are all instant classics. My only beef with the album would be Dreams Come True, the ballad, and the cover of Kiss' song Detroit Rock City. Hammerfall is just not good at Power Ballads, and they shouldn't have a place on a Hammerfall album anyway. After 6 tracks of rising up and slaying your enemies you're PUMPED, you're ready for the FIGHT OF YOUR LIFE. Then the tinkling piano keys come in and Joacim Cans starts singing about "kiss me once and I will die" and... and it just makes you want to cry :'(. Fortunately the album doesn't leave that as it's after-taste like previous efforts do, Hammerfall quickly redeem themselves but the scar remains. If this band would just make an album without a Power Ballad I would give that five stars and it would be their BEST ALBUM EVER. But until then I'm more than happy to rock out to Trailblazers, press the skip button, and get ready for Angel of Mercy. Hell yes.
