(Rated this album with 4 out of 10) Reviewed by
Nathan
from Mesa, AZ USA
Hammerfall gives us a somewhat disappointing album "Crimson Thunder". So, how does this release measure up? Well, I have to say once again I am slightly disappointed. I don't think they have quite the same punch in their sound as on their debut which just rocked from beginning to end. Musically the band clearly has a lot to offer, sharp raw riffs, melodic solo's, powerful and intense drums, a hard and pumping bass that gives a lot of depth to the songs, and the best Hammerfall vocal performance yet, very melodic. There are a couple of interesting tracks here that are worth extra listens, the epic "Angel Of Mercy" and the stately, progressive metal like "In Memoriam." But, these come more than halfway through the album, that later being the second to last track. Personally, my favorite track is "Hearts on Fire," with it's catchy chourse when every member in the band shouts the chourse "Hearts on fire, hearts on fire, burning burning with desire," adding its own charging into battle-like theme, which can give you an image of all the Templars chanting as they charge into the battle. Over all, this isn't a great Hammerfall album, but it does have a few listenable songs in it, but I would only recommend this if you are a true Templar.
