New Music Review : Hammerfall - Built To Last : CD Album Music Review by Craig S Hartranft : Dangerdog Music Reviews

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Hammerfall: Built To Last

Heavy/Power Metal

5.0/5.0

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Napalm Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 02.11.2016

You can't get more "metal" than Hammerfall. Almost by very definition Hammerfall is synonymous with power metal. For almost 20 years, the band has been delivering "keep it true" melodic and heavy power metal. Now they return with their tenth album, Built To Last.

Hammerfall

Is there some meaning to that album title beyond the song within? I think so. Hammerfall continues to stay steady and true to their calling. Also, by definition, power metal is intentionally large and bombastic. Hammerfall delivers the twin guitar attack with sharp, yet harmonious, riffage and blistering solos. As usual, the pacing is swift, the rhythm sectioning putting the thunder and speed into Hammerfall's power metal. Joacim Cans continues to be the iconic true heavy metal singer, delivering clean and melodic, passionate and soaring, vocals. Of course, his voice gets wrapped up in choral vocal arrangements when his mates join in. Also, without saying, the songs sing of battle, valor, courage, sword and sorcery in epic tales.

Of the songs, these elements combine to create some bracing power metal straight from the start. For the strength of choral vocal arrangements wrapped in power metal look to Bring It, Hammer High, and The Sacred Vow. For pure intensity and speed, Stormbreaker roars fast with epic solos. Of course, Hammerfall can spin thing down. With Twilight Princess, you get a Medieval folk metal feeling from the acoustic guitar before building to a metal crescendo. Similar, Second To None, another metal anthem sparkles with keyboards sounding like a mix of piano and harpsichord, yet the song still rises to power metal heights.

Friends, it's all good. Built To Last is pure Hammerfall and so pure "keep it true" classic power metal. Except no substitutes. Easily recommended.

Hammerfall - The Sacred Vow

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