Glory to the Brave is indeed a classic power metal record -- no frills or progressive elements here, just speed-laden, melodic, grandiose anthems about honor, glory, and slaying dragons. And the group manages to generally steer clear of the campiness that plagued bands like Manowar. Of note are the pro-Crusades lyrics of "Steel Meets Steel," atypical sentiments in a genre known for rebelling against religion. Overall this stuff isn't new or groundbreaking, but it's performed passionately enough...   [ read more ]

CD $14.23

Hammerfall's grandiose {heavy metal} posturing only narrowly avoids the type of self-parody exhibited by Manowar (for that matter, the bandmembers' outfits are only slightly less ridiculous than Manowar's swords-and-loincloths look). But fans of the genre probably won't care -- the band performs its soaring {power metal} anthems with spirit, dedication, and heroic execution on Crimson Thunder. This is pure classicism here; Hammerfall devotedly adheres to the genre guidelines of '80s {power metal}, without...   [ read more ]

MP3 $8.99

Other people also bought:

The Convocation of...  Convocation Of..., Helms  The Swimmer, The Get Up Kids / Rocket From the Crypt  split

Cleaner and slicker than their debut, Legacy of Kings was the highly anticipated follow-up to Hammerfall's singular revival of '80s-style power metal Glory to the Brave. Bursting on the European metal scene in 1997, and almost single-handedly reviving an entire genre, Hammerfall placed themselves among the '90s vanguard with their double bass driven, dungeons and dragons epic metal that echoed "pure metal" strains reminiscent of Manowar and European old-school champions {$Hellowe...   [ read more ]

CD $14.23