Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

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The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
HammerFall
Title
Crimson Thunder
Type
LP/EP
Company
Nuclear Blast
YOR
2002
Style
Power
1/21/2003 - Review by: Eric Compton
Hammerfall - Crimson Thunder - reviewed by: EC

Track Listing
1. Riders Of The Strom
2. Hearts On Fire
3. On The Edge Of Honour
4. Crimson Thunder
5. Lore Of The Arcane
6. Trailblazers
7. Dreams Come True
8. Angel Of Mercy
9. The Unforgiving Blade
10. In Memoriam
11. Hero's Return
Okay, I don't understand what the problem is with these guys. We can sit around all day and complain about wanna be metal acts like Slipknot, Linkin Park, Korn, etc., and wonder when real metal is going to come back. Or we can spend a day or a month and listen to the new Hammerfall disc and put all of those thoughts behind us.

I like Hammerfall. I really don't understand why true metal fans dislike anything Hammerfall related. I had a chance to see the band live in '98 as an opening act for Death. I talked to the band for a few minutes before the show and caught up with them a little after the evening was over. Super nice guys and very appreciative of the support they have from their label and fans. With that said and done, lets move on to Crimson Thunder.

This is the band's fourth album to date, and first with producer Charlie Bauerfeind. Hammerfall has really honed their skills since the debut, "Glory To The Brave". Crimsn Thunder storms forth with an Accept/Grave Digger teutonic rage. Tracks like "Riders Of The Storm" and "Hearts On Fire" will leave you with the chorus still ringing in your ears long after the disc has stopped spinning. I really like what the band is doing now, mixing the speedy Helloween style tracks like "On The Edge Of Honor" with real thick slabs like the title track, which has a certain "Heaven And Hell" type sound. Along with the music stepping it up a notch, Joacim Cans vocals have improved greatly. Just listen to his eerie prescence on the David Chastain cover, "Angel Of Mercy.

This album is pretty solid other than the wimpy ballad, "Dreams Come True" and the worthless bonus track, a cover of "Detroit Rock City". Do we really need another version of that? But all in all, this is definitely highly recommended for classic heavy metal fans. Who cares if Accept or Helloween has already done this type of album before? Hammerfall are refreshing in a world dominated by the latest trend. Don't forget that metal is still supposed to be fun, damnit! --EC 1.21.03
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :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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