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Rating:
THE REVIEW
This album is useless, just like Hammerfall and like this review.
Now, I used to listen to a lot of power metal in the past, and I know very well that most power metal bands can seem a bit ridiculous with their dragons, papier-mâché swords, and various nonsense, but at least the music was often good, easy to listen to, it served as a kind of stress-reliever, and I liked it.
But... well, the uselessness of this CD is glaring, cumbersome, you can’t avoid, listening to this CD, asking yourself: "But why did Hammerfall become so famous when there are at least a thousand similar (or not) bands who are much better, whose singer might have to work as a dairy representative to make a living (see Amon Amarth)?"
The answer is, obviously: "Who knows."
There are no hot chicks in this band, and I doubt that any of these five Swedes (though I'm not sure... who cares?) prostituted themselves to some important producer. Moreover, the total lack of technique and originality (when the power metal is in a stagnant phase for the past five years, what's the point of making such a CD?) is impressive: the two guitarists are incredibly mediocre, the same goes for the rhythm section. The only one who stands out is Joacim Cans, who was recently assaulted by a black metal fan in a pub (what can I say...) and even called for the reunion of the legendary Warlord project, endowed with a good vocal tone, but let's be honest, nothing new... the usual falsetto.
The thing I can't stand are some truly pathetic choruses like in The Way of the Warrior or Templars of Steel, which would irritate due to their corniness even the Rhapsody, who have nothing to learn in these matters.
In the end, this album isn't that bad, it's lucky to have Renegade as a single, which is really beautiful, and it features some tracks like Living in Victory, A Legend Reborn, or The Champion, that are not bad at all, they are simply mediocre, like Hammerfall and probably like this review.
They thank Chuck Shuldiner in the booklet... He must still be turning in his grave.
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Summary by Bot
The review harshly criticizes Hammerfall's 'Renegade' for being unoriginal and mediocre within the stagnant power metal scene. Despite some decent tracks like the single 'Renegade,' the album largely fails to impress due to weak instrumentals and clichéd choruses. The vocalist Joacim Cans is noted as the only somewhat positive element, yet even his performance is conventional. Overall, the album is described as forgettable and unnecessary.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
HammerFall
HammerFall are a Swedish heavy/power metal band frequently described in these reviews as defined by consistency: epic mid-tempos, big sing-along choruses, and Joacim Cans’ clean, high vocal style. Reviewers repeatedly point to the 1997 debut Glory to the Brave as a landmark release tied to a broader revival narrative for classic heavy/power metal, while later albums draw both praise and accusations of self-recycling.13 Reviews
