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Wow! Where do I start? First of all, it must be pointed out, that not since Mercyful Fate coming out of the ashes of Scandinavia in 1980 has another band exploded out of that region and exemplify the true and brilliant talent needed to impact Power Metal until these boys from Sweden put their mark in the entire European continent. This band is all-around outstanding! And to think that these guys first started as an experiment to hopefully win a battle of the bands contest. In 1996 HammeFall, founded by guitarist Oscar Dronjak, and only a few cover songs under their belt, did impress judges and perform in the semi-finals of the very prestigious ROCKSLAGET Swedish Local Music Contest. The boys never qualified for the finals but felt they had something to prove to the metal world. In 1997 they did just that. With one of the most elaborate, and well produced power metal albums of our modern time, HammerFall comes out with this debut and literally pounds you in the face. The opening track "The Dragon Lies Bleeding" is loaded with heavy riffs, percussion changes, driven harmonies, and all around excellent rock n roll. This track is a mere glimpse of what is to come. Fast and furious riffs fill this entire disc. It is virtually impossible to sit and try and comprehend what is going on while you are listening. But, soon after you dust yourself off from experiencing "The Dragon Lies Bleeding" You get absolutely HAMMERED with the second track "The Metal Age". This absolute diamond of a song hits your speakers so hard it transcends you into a very wicked guitar driven world, where nothing else matters.... But wait, just when you think you are ready to come back from that sadistic "Wicked Guitar Driven Metal Age World" where nothing matters, here comes the ever powerful and monstrous controlling track "HammerFall" to knock you down again and show no mercy! After one minute into the "HammerFall" track you go straight to hell and never look back..Sorry! Well, after you've been to hell and experienced the sheer musical torture of HammerFall's first three tracks on this debut album....The boys bring you right back to our world and make an effort to cool you off with a simple ballad titled; "I Believe". Hey, this five minute ballad is something we all need right now to recover, and hopefully make sense of what just happened in our existence. But, just like a heavy weight Boxing champion sitting in his corner while his trainers wipe the blood of his brow, and knowing his demise...HammerFall comes and gives you a killer uppercut that you don't even see coming with the abrasive track "Child Of The Damned". This song is so freaking fast...Awesome vocals, space age guitar riffs and hooks. The bass line is way out there.. Man!! These freaks are not done yet... Soon after you think you have it together, here comes one of the most outstanding heavy metal songs I have ever heard... "Steel Meets Steel"...This track has everything. Nothing else to say. Listen for your self and I think you will agree. The next track is my very favorite on this album "Stone Cold". You can tell right away from listening that this song is a must see in a live venue. "Stone Cold" has some superb background vocals that give this track a somber and laid back approach to harmonious power metal. Now your feeling good and quite confident after hearing the positive lyrics of "Stone Cold". Now it's time to hear some amazing guitar....Oh yes! "Unchained"Read full review
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