Metal Reviews

I have no problem with Hammerfall's sound or direction. I don't think they need lineup changes or get away from the fantasy themes.

What they do need to do is figure out what they did right on their first two albums and what they've done wrong on the last three. It's really just a matter of songs. The songs on the first two are excellent and catchy, the songs on the last three more often boring(although there are some highlights).

I do think this album is superior to the last two, but doesn't yet approach Legacy of Kings.

I dont think the problem with Hammerfall its just a matter songs.IMO hammerfall doesnt have anything more to offer.

Perhaps, but some bands manage to do the same thing over and over, but no one cares because the songs are so good. Stratovarius got away with five straight albums of the same stuff, from Fourth Dimension to Infinite. Edguy also doesn't change from album to album in terms of style. They just get better quality with the same style. I'm mystified as to why Hammerfall gets worse instead of better. You'd think that they could write a good metal tune in their sleep. Timo Tolkki and Tobia Sammet sure can at this point.

Oh man, just listened to Knight of the 21st Century for the first time.

That's painfully bad. Completely destroys all the good will the album built up to that point.

This stuff makes me laugh.

All power metal in this vein makes me laugh.