"The hammer has fallen, the fire still burns in our hearts!"
(Rated this album with 8 out of 10) Reviewed by
Eric Bandner
from Novato, CA USA
With "Crimson Thunder", Sweden's mighty metal line-up have achieved maturity in their epic metal style. The production is the best it's been on any of their albums, and gone are many of the skull-splitting thrash rockers which plagued albums such as "Glory to the Brave" and "Legacy of Kings". I don't mind fast-paced guitars and shredding solos but (I asked myself) must there also be frenetic, hyper-sonically fast and annoying drumming on every track? It seems Hammerfall has answered my prayer, for these types of songs are gone from this album, with the exception of the tolerable 3rd track. Instead, Hammerfall opts for a slightly more midtempo, but undeniably heavy and melodic sound, first begun on their album "Renegade". It's best exemplified by the classic "Riders of the Storm". This song proves beyond a doubt that a guitar solo can be FREAKIN' AWESOME without needing to be ultra-fast or accompanied by insanely fast banging on the drum set... it's a Hammerfall classic. Other excellent songs include "Hearts on Fire", the title track, the incredible "Trailblazers", and "The Unforgiving Blade". Also of note is Stefan's instrumental on track 10, which is considerably more melodic and superior to the one he wrote for "Renegade". The ballad "Dreams Come True" is very good, as is usual for Hammerfall, and features a beautiful string performance. That being said, not one of Hammerfall's ballads since "Glory to the Brave" have been able to match the divine title track from that album. Also, it should be said that "Crimson Thunder", while an awesome album, is not quite the ambitious effort that "Renegade" was. Sure, the songs on "Crimson Thunder" are good, some are even spectacular, but it's obvious that they are patterned after the same style as those on "Renegade", much as "Legacy of Kings" had a bit of a similar sound as "Glory to the Brave" (see my remark on the thrash-metal songs above). "Renegade" took Hammerfall in new direction, and while "Crimson Thunder" follows in that direction, the material wasn't quite as fresh and ambitious as what "Renegade" had going. If you don't believe me, listen to "Templars of Steel" and "Renegade" on the "Renegade" album. Not only are these songs killer Hammerfall classics, but you'll notice that the have a similar sound and style as to what you'll hear on "Crimson Thunder"... although the boys are definately getting better and better with each album. That being said, "Crimson Thunder" is yet another Hammerfall classic. I find it ranks up there with "Renegade" and surpasses "Legacy of Kings" and "Glory to the Brave" (except in its ballad). On a final note, I saw these guys in concert touring with Dio and they are spectacular performers, very much into their music and into their fans... "mighty warriors one by one"! Sure they dress in armor and metal paraphernalia, but why not? They're rock stars and their music is some of the best I've heard in a long time!! LET THE HAMMER FALL!!!
