•
Rating: "Glory to the brave" is the first unforgettable masterpiece by Hammerfall released in 1997, marking the revival of 80's power, bringing freshness to the genre and reintroducing the sounds of unforgettable bands like Warlord, Manowar, Helloween, and partly Blind Guardian.
The lyrics range from spaceships to swords to the deaths of loved ones, so they were written to tell stories or entertain the audience, in the classic 80's style. Let's move on to the analysis of the album. The CD starts with Dragon Lies Bleeding, very fast with good drum work, nice choruses, melodic guitars, making it a fast and very epic song at the same time. Then it moves on to Metal Age, which hits with the rhythm of 80's raw power, the lyrics talk about a parallel dimension dominated by metal, with noticeable guitar riffs, a good song to be performed live. Then we move to the song that gives the band its name, "Hammerfall" where the group celebrates itself with a fast and melodic song to shout at the top of your lungs.
"Hammerfall - We Will Prevail!"
"Hammerfall - Let Us Hail!"
Then we move on to a truly moving ballad like I Believe, a poignant piece alternating slow and light parts with the central chorus; the guitar riffs become heavier to add drama to the song; this song has very beautiful lyrics. Then we arrive at the cover of their beloved heroes Warlord Children of the Damned from the album "Deliver Us". We return to swords in Steel Meets Steel, a song dedicated to the Templars; also in 80's style with compelling rhythms and a chorus to yell. It continues with Stone Cold, a good piece notable for its initial guitar riffs. Then comes Unchained, an engaging song with a double bass drum in the background. We arrive at the title track Glory to the Brave; this song is a masterpiece, it will move you with every listen, I don’t think a power song has ever moved you so much, an epic ballad with poignant lyrics that starts with 3 minutes of arpeggios and then comes Joacim Cans’ crystal clear voice introducing us to this tale. It then rises in intensity reaching a grand and epic chorus. The lyrics talk about the sadness for the loss of a hero who nevertheless lives in the memories of people, thanks to his deeds, and for this, he goes to rest in the hall of the brave.
In conclusion, this 1997 album is a masterpiece of power metal, one of the best power albums; I don't think a power album can move and touch you so much; it marked a clear revival of power metal that was submerged by stagnating porn grind bands. These guys have revived power metal, and we must give them credit; this album is a small jewel of power metal in recent years.
01 - The Dragon Lies Bleeding
02 - The Metal Age
03 - HammerFall
04 - I Believe
05 - Child Of The Damned
06 - Steel Meets Steel
07 - Stone Cold
08 - Unchained
09 - Glory To The Brave
Here is the translation of "Glory to the Brave":
Snow is falling on this glorious land
The colors fade and turn to white
Angels torment fallen heroes
They weep their winter tears
Mourning endless days will become years
This is goodbye, I say goodbye and...
Spread your wings and fly away now, fly away now
Nothing on earth lives forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in your heart, you will live still
You've gone to the house of the brave
I will treasure every solemn moment
Even though it's hard to understand
That a silent wind can blow out this candle
Taking everything and leaving behind only pain
You can shout my name, but your voice is fading
In the wind, embraced, you will fly away now, you will fly away now
Nothing on earth lives forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in your heart, you will live still
You've gone to the house of the brave
My eyes are closed, I feel you far away (so close)
Far beyond that shining star
I know you'll have what you're fighting for
Far beyond that shining star
I pray on my knees, infuse courage into these souls
Make them live forever in the hearts of the strong
I say goodbye to my friends, I hope to see you again
When I've lost the trust of those around me
This is goodbye, I leave you and...
Spread your wings and fly away now, fly away now
Nothing on earth lives forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in your heart, you will live still
You've gone to the house of the brave
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 The Dragon Lies Bleeding (04:22)
Ride through the valley in thunder and rain
the battle is raging, redeem this domain
The Castle of Eden lies silent above
darkness surrounded us, away we must go
I look through the eyes of the world
I see there's a Stranger among us.
Awaiting a sign from above
to conquer the power and the glory
Enter the battle, our will to enchain
bringing us forward, defeating the pain
into the meeting with swords made of steel
we're standing together the secret reveals
I look through the eyes of the world
I know who's the Stranger among us
Awaiting a sign from above
to conquer the power and glory
Come across to the Promised Land
close your eyes, I will take your hand
Through the river of steel we'll go
When the dragon lies bleeding
Above the glory we'll carry on
now the time has come to return back home
The setting sun illuminates the dead
the battlefield field is shining red.
Silent lies Eden on top of the moor
we're fighting with honor protecting our Lord
The last one survivor lies bleeding. I kneel
into his heart I settle the steel
I look through the eyes of the world
there is no stranger among us.
We march to the end of the world
in search for the power and the glory
Come across to the Promised Land
close your eyes, I will take your hand
Through the river of steel we'll go
When the dragon lies bleeding
03 Hammerfall (04:47)
Silent screaming, you're on your own
balancing on a blade between
what's right and what is wrong
Don't loose your faith, don't sit there in silence
show your strength, let's hail the metal gods,
bare your heart
All for one, our burning hearts will live forever
One for all, together standing strong
Hammerfall - we will prevail
Hammerfall - let us hail
Hammerfall - we will prevail
Hammerfall - let us hail
We share a dream, the future is ours
a Metal Heart is hard to tear apart, heed the call
we run this race, but we will never crawl,
all hail Hammerfall
All for one, our burning hearts will live forever
One for all, together standing strong
Hammerfall - we will prevail
Hammerfall - let us hail
Just follow your heart, don't listen to the crowed
the wisdom, the voice is calling from inside.
The time long forgotten will soon come again
prepare for the meeting, the Gods of Metal reign
04 I Believe (04:53)
Is it too late to go in peace, I wonder how
how these things did start anyway
Maybe too late to find a way, when the
trail of grief is marked with memories
Now when you're gone, the warmth
of the sun seems so faraway
I believe - in everything I see, every
second is a miracle for me
I believe - after sunshine comes the
rain, and when it's pouring down
the only thing I feel is pain
I walk alone through shapeless dreams
my only home is the wasteland that I cross
I close the door and turn the key
those days of joy are barely memories
Now when you're gone, your star will
shine on, wont you shine for me
I believe- in everything I see, every
second is a miracle for me
I believe- after sunshine comes the
rain, and when it's pouring down
the only thing I feel is pain
05 Child of the Damned (03:42)
You made me see right past myself, well beyond
my fears, realized I'm synchronized, far beyond my years
I'm so geard unto them, I serve unto their souls
now that I'm addicted, my hunger only grows
I'm a child of the damned, I follow where I go
rigging to the cross, as holy as a whore
I'm just a child of the damned
Witches coven, the time has come for those sabbatical
years, revelation is the message, for all in all to hear
Prophets slayed, mankind arrayed into mass submission
evil's here, the lord of hell gives you the proposition
I'm a child of the damned, I follow where I go
rigging to the cross, as holy as a whore
I'm just a child of the damned
Give away your life goals, your meaning and ambition
it means nothing to you, after all it's superstition
Do not be afraid, the world is near the end
is it better to rule in hell, than it is to serve in heaven?
I'm a child of the damned, I follow where I go
rigging to the cross, as holy as a whore
I'm just a child of the damned
06 Steel Meets Steel (04:02)
The hands of time have brought you here
to make a change, to break down the walls
You are the ones and you are the only
trying to live by your own goals
And you all cry for freedom
Raise your fists to the sky
Let your voice speak for the revolution
All join forces with all the powers that you feel
Let your heart beat for the revolution
Led by the Templars of Steel
Let's spread the word of the sole survivors
with metal pounding inside their souls
The fire burns, and it will forever
blaze for the ones who stands strong
And you all cry for freedom
with your fists in the sky
Let your voice speak for the revolution
All join forces with all the powers that you feel
Let your heart beat for the revolution
Led by the Templars of Steel
You are the Templars of Steel
Oh, oh, oh ...
Let your voice speak for the revolution
All join forces with all the powers that you feel
Let your heart beat for the revolution
Led by the Templars of Steel
Let your voice speak for the revolution
All join forces with all the powers that you feel
Let your heart beat for the revolution
Led by the Templars of Steel
You are the Templars of Steel
07 Stone Cold (05:43)
Outcast a time of war,
the mankind lost control
of life and death, under survaillance
I watch the children pray,
while God just turns away
Our in the ruins they seek shelter
These streets were once my home,
but those golden days are gone,
now I'm fighting to survive
Stone cold, man or machine
Stone cold, the end of our dream
The word is on the street,
it's kill or to be killed
With no exception your're on your own
We should have seen it all along,
the writings on the wall,
tell me what have we become
Stone cold, man or machine
Stone cold, the end of our dream
Who do you belive in now,
when the prophecy came true the final deja vu
These streets were once my home,
but those golden days are gone,
now I'm fighting to survive
Stone cold, man or machine
Stone cold, the end of our dream
08 Unchained (05:38)
Undying nightfall, a king with no crown
dethroned, imprisoned in chains
Duel the black horse, the Swordsmen must kneel
condemned to serve within the shadows
Put'em next to their King
Out of the fire and into the night
a handful of brave men appeared
Crimson thunder running through their veins
a bond that will last forever
Nothing's stronger than ...
Brothers in arms are fighting tonight
the Forces of steel meet again
born in the fire, they look to the sky
power of metal unchained
Time has come, break out of these chains
FIGHT! proud for your kingdom
Behind the defenders the king marches on
by divine intervention
They are fighting with ...
Brothers in arms are fighting tonight
the Forces of Steel live again
born in the fire, they look to the sky
the power of metal unchained
Past many nights they fought on
and by the moonlight the battle was won
but still the black horse is running
knowing were the power will lead
Brothers in arms are fighting tonight
the Forces of Steel live again
born in the fire, they look to the sky
the power of metal unchained
09 Glory to the Brave (07:20)
Snow is falling down on this glorious land
Colours fading, turning into white again
To fallen heroes angels sing, they cry their winter tears
Endless mourning days will turn to years
So this is goodbye, I take leave of you and
Spread your wings and you will fly away now, fly away
Now
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
Every solemn moment I will treasure inside
Even though it's hard to understand
That a silent wind can blow the candle out
Taking everything leaving the pain far behind
You call out my name, but your voice is fading
Into the wind, embraced, you'll fly away now, fly away
Now
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
My eyes are closed I feel you're faraway ( so close )
Far beyond that shining star
I know you'll find what you've been fighting for
Far beyond that shining star
Down on bended knee I pray, bring courage to these Souls
Make'em live forever in the heart of the bold
So I say farewell my friends, I hope we'll meet again
When my time has come to fall from grace
So this is goodbye, I take leave of you and
Spread your wings and you will fly away now, fly away
Now
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
YEAAAAAAAA!
Nothing on earth stays forever
But none of your deeds were in vain
Deep in our hearts you will live again
You're gone to the home of the brave
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By MANOWAR
"This album in 1997 marked a clear revival of the classic Heavy Metal that was (and unfortunately) overwhelmed by the stagnant power of those times."
"The title track ‘Glory To The Brave’ is a small masterpiece, an epic ballad with a poignant text that builds from delicate arpeggios to a powerful, pompous chorus."
