HAMMERFALL |
| The return of power metal is complete! This group has become one of my favorites in just a single listen. I have heard a bit about them but am absolutely shocked that I wouldn't have heard more. Simply put, this is the band of the moment for me and should be for you if it isn't already. The first disc is a mini with only four songs. Two of these are "Glory to the Brave", in edit and album versions, respectively. Very melodic metal with all the ins and outs of a classic IRON MAIDEN piece. Thundering bass and drums with twin guitar attack. Standard power metal and thank the gods for that! "Ravenlord" and "I Believe" round out the ep. The latter is a live version that sounds like a good bootleg but isn't exactly of the quality you would expect from a first class act such as HAMMERFALL. The former is pure metal music alchemy. Gold from lead, mastery from simplicity, if you know what I mean. A worthy investment but I would go for the full-length release first. The follow up to this EP is the real reason for my continued faith in the metal artform. Just when I think that KORN and their ilk have corrupted heavy music beyond all redemption, another nugget of pure power surfaces to bring it all back around. "Legacy of Kings" is perfection at all levels. Driven, moving and always impassioned. I will stop short of listing all the songs but will say that there is not a loser in the bunch. I can't even pick the best one; they are all so evenly astounding. Guitars, bass, vocals and drums alloyed with solid steel. This record is a thorough updating of the metal style. No one else has been able to bring this much excitement and credibility to the genre or my CD player since IRON MAIDEN issued "Number of the Beast". Released by Nuclear Blast Records, Haupstrasse 109 - 73072 Dusseldorf. Germany Tel : +49 7162 92800 FAX : +49 7162 24554 Website : NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS Email : death@nuclearblast.de or P.O.Box 43618. Philadelphia, PA 19106. USA TEL : +1 215 9230770 FAX : +1 215 9239166 Website : NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS AMERICA Email : mail@nuclearblast-usa.com Review by David Lee |