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3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
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Band
HammerFall
Title
(r)Evolution
Type
LP/EP
Company
Nuclear Blast
YOR
2014
Style
Power
10/23/2014 - Review by: Eric Compton

Hammerfall
(r)Evolution

Company: Nuclear Blast
Release: 2014
Genre: Power
Reviewer: Eric Compton

  • Speedy power metal exercises



  • After seven albums over a fourteen year span, Hammerfall, also known as Sweden's Manowar, altered their traditional sound with the 2011 release ‘Infected'. Unfortunately that album was panned by the band's faithful followers, criticized for its modern arrangements and scorned for the lack of the group's mascot, Hector, from the album cover. Power metal enthusiasts pledge allegiance to their chosen Gods and ‘Infected' questioned their vows. Personally, I felt ‘Infected' was a much needed change of pace after the same formula year after year. The record had a thick bottom heavy production to accompany the darker subject matter. In many ways the band was attempting to replicate the heavier Joacim Cans' 2004 solo record, ‘Beyond the Gates'. The fans rebelled, had their way and now three years later Hammerfall and their fan base find themselves cornered. '(r)Evolution' is essentially like selecting random play on the band's first seven records. The speedy power metal exercises are in full force, complete with the gang vocal melodies and dungeon and dragon songwriting. Even Hector himself returns to grace fans and critics alike with his rigid stature. Is this a good thing though--repeating the same formula year after year, album after album? The band find themselves in an awkward predicament; carry on with the same tried and true routine, pleasing fans and wallets or go against the grain and create music that challenges the band and adds diversity to a rather one-dimensional discography. '(r)Evolution' is a decent record, but is it a blessing or a curse? You be the judge.


    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      3 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: HAMMERFALL
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    (r)Evolution
    2014
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton10/23/2014
    3
    Built to Last
    2016
    Napalm
    Eric Compton12/20/2016
    3.5
    Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken
    2005
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton4/3/2005
    -
    Crimson Thunder
    2002
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton1/21/2003
    -
    Infected
    2011
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton10/20/2011
    4
    Infected
    2011
    Nuclear Blast
    Chris Kincaid6/3/2011
    2.5
    No Sacrifice, No Victory
    2009
    Nuclear Blast
    Hail and Kill5/15/2009
    4
    Steel Meets Steel: 10 Years Of Glory
    2008
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton3/13/2009
    5
    Threshold
    2006
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton10/4/2006
    -

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: HAMMERFALL
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
    Anders JohanssonChris Galea5/25/2006


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