Subtlety and understatement have never been a priority for Hammerfall. Why choose one studded wristband when twenty will do? Well, with more zips and leather than a night at The Blue Oyster (one for the Police Academy fans there) and more chains than a medieval prison, the Swedish heavy metal legends are back with their thirteenth studio album Avenge The Fallen (Nuclear Blast Records).

Hammerfall – Avenge the Fallen

Steady and consistent with many peaks but very few troughs, the band continue to deliver album after album of true metal quality, their only really noticeable deviation coming in the form of 2011’s slightly more experimental Infected. A new record every two or three years, a healthy touring schedule, and the ability to maintain a steady line-up for the last ten years has helped the band maintain the form demanded by their legion of fiercely loyal fans. And Avenge the Fallen does not fail to deliver.

Armed with a simple stomping riff from axe duo Oscar Dronjak and Pontus Norgren, the chuggy title track kicks things off before the album hits its stride properly with “The End Justifies,” drummer David Wallin launching into a “Painkiller” – style intro with vocalist Joacim Cans already showing some of his best form.

Echoing the overarching theme of the record, “Freedom” is a pulse-pounding throwback with classic Accept-esque backing vocals while the anthemic “Hail To The King” delivers another mighty chorus and quietly insistent verses driven by bass player Fredrik Larsson. A song that will surely see the raising of many fists and inflatable hammers in large fields across the world.

Another uptempo and authoritative banger, “Hero To All” is almost immediately eclipsed by emotive Hammerballad “Hope Springs Eternal.” Subtle orchestration, sturdy backing vocals, and sensational guitar solos help make the song this album’s “Glory to the Brave” but without ever copying or relying on the past.

“You promise heaven, we give hell!” is the refrain as we head straight back into battle with the thunderous energy of war-themed “Burn It Down.” An absolute beast of a song followed by the band going full gallop on “Capture the Dream.” The penultimate track “Rise Of Evil” is another certified thunderbastard but is placed in the unfortunate position of being upstaged by “Time Immemorial” a mighty closer that combines epic power balladry with all-out metal riffdom.

There might be a few noticeable wrinkles and the smell of hair dye is definitely in the air these days but that doesn’t change the fact that Avenge the Fallen is one of Hammerfall’s strongest and most consistent albums for some time. The riffs are still golden, the guitar solos remain evocative and precise, and Cans’ voice is still yet to show any signs of fatigue. It’s Hammer time again. 

Buy the album here:
https://hammerfall.net/

9 / 10
GARY ALCOCK