Well, the hammer falls with full might for the fifth time, once again! The Swedish priests of the cult of the so called 'True Metal' scene are back. The truth is that maybe these guys have accepted a huge hostile assault by many 'non True Metal fans' but on the other hand this is quite dishonest since Hammerfall's Heavy Metal proposal is honest, straightforward and most of all entertaining and full of power. Well nobody could expect to hear a new Powerslave (Iron Maiden, 1984) or a new Restless and Wild (Accept, 1982) album   but the Swedish metallers have managed to deliver their Heavy Metal message with style and dignity.
Elements of Accept  are more intense here than any of their previous work. The first single, Blood Bound, is a sonic dynamite - as expected - and the single edition is accompanied by a karaoke track (without vocalz!) and a live version of The Metal Age. The interesting thing is that you can record the karaoke version, send it to the band and if you are lucky enough you might manage to win a Meet & Greet contest with the templars. Joacim's vocal lines remain very melodic and interesting, while the lead parts in the guitar sound very solid and full of lyricism. A diffuse Metal atmosphere of Iron Maiden / Judas Priest is also present (as expected!) here but of course passed through a Hammerfalian personal filter.
One of the coolest songs is also the acoustic instrumental Imperial. Other diamonds here are Born To Rule, Secrets, Blood Bound, Fury Of The Wild and Hammer Of Justice. This album is slightly better, more intense and more focused than Crimson Thunder.
Cronos of Venom takes an evil vocal participation in the mysterious Knights Of The 21st Century, which the majority of Hammerfans will find it maybe one of the most important songs in the album. Cronos' vocals add intensity and magic to the song, thus preparing the listener for the epic sonic storm which will follow!
All the aforementioned songs will definitely work fine when performed live and we are looking forward for some Greek Hammerfalling pretty soon enough! The album will be released on the 3rd of March, this year, so you have enough time to swing your hammer and your axe and be prepared to be Hammerfall Blood Bound.