Swedish band HammerFall are one of the leaders of power metal, and this debut finds them in fine form straight away. The playing is tight and vigorous, even though Joacim Cans' vocals are a bit wimpy, and the lyrics of historical battles and suchlike quite reasonable. While a few tunes are kind of ordinary, there are some terrific guitar riffs (like in the cover of Warlord's "Child Of The Damned"), and the likes of "Hammerfall" and "Stone Cold" are haunting. The highlight, however, is the concluding "Glory To The Brave", a power ballad that is actually lovely and moving!
This is promising stuff from a band who seems to know straight away what they're about.
***1/2
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