Label: Napalm Records
Release date: 10/23/2020
Genre: Power Metal
Rating: 9.0/10
HammerFall are, let’s just say, the “saviors” of power metal. And even if you don’t buy that, they’re one of the most visible figures tied to the genre, and have been for more than a quarter of a century. The indestructible HammerFall were one of the last bands to pull off a tour across the old continent this past February.
As it looks, we may be spending the coming years living on nothing but fond memories of the gigs we went to. Why? Because then came the virus. Then came the even faster, lightning-quick “lockdown” that smashed the live scene to smithereens. These days it’s barely twitching anywhere, stuck in dire anomalies. It’s in its last gasps. Let’s just hope it’s not for good, and that a spark remains that will one day light a new fire.
On 2/15/2020, HammerFall played a magnificent show at the MHP Arena in the middle of Ludwigsburg, Germany, packed to every last corner: the MHP Arena, built for basketball events, holds 4,700 heads (seats plus standing). That was only six days before they stopped at the Orpheum Theater in Graz, where RockLine was also present (concert review). Here’s a number for perspective. The Orpheum Theater was sold out on the day of the show too, except that, with the balcony open, barely 1,000 people were squeezed inside. So. In Ludwigsburg, HammerFall picked the optimal venue, where they could build a flawless stage set, lavishly equipped with smoke curtains, salvos of pyrotechnic effects and a spectacular helping of colorful beams of spotlight. The passionate, devoted crowd – in a word, loyal to the end and beyond – naturally added the cherry on top. The live recording of this concert document is phenomenally mixed and produced. It sounds truly alive, grabs you in the best way, which was also the whole point: bringing this recording as close as possible to every listener of the live album. Three-dimensional. You can feel that the venue is a truly vast hall holding several thousand people, while the delirium of the crowd is palpable in every second of this grandiose concert document of the famous Gothenburg power metal templars.
As expected, and fans of the band hardly need this spelled out, HammerFall built the setlist for the new album “Live! Against The World” (the title is taken from one of the songs on the new record), a.k.a. the “World Dominion” tour, around the current studio album “Dominion” (RockLine review), which was the favorite on the tour’s concert nights. But what’s almost more interesting than the new album, which, let’s be honest, isn’t a standout in terms of quality, is that the band is also marking the 20th anniversary of their third studio album “Renegade” this year, and it got a hefty share of the setlist too. So the band played Keep the Flame Burning in full already in the first half, and somewhere around the middle of the show they threw together a proper Renegade foldout, cycling through the main riffs and melodies of: Templars of Steel, Always Will Be, Living in Victory, Destined for Glory, A Legend Reborn and the title track. Even after that “medley” the band wasn’t fully tamed, because they then went on to play The Way Of the Warrior in its entirety. The duet of Cans with Battle Beast singer Noora Louhimo must not go unnoticed either. Battle Beast accompanied HammerFall on the tour. Noora is actually one of the most striking and powerful singers of the new generation in power metal, and she confirms that again and again in this fascinating performance.
HammerFall made sure that all of their studio albums got attention and were represented by at least one song in the setlist, with the exception of “Dominion”‘s predecessor “Built to Last”. There’s also Where Dragon Lies Bleeding – probably even the best song from their debut “Glory To the Brave”. The obligatory “Crimson Thunder” wrecker Hearts On Fire, which must never be missing from the end of the set, and the “Legacy of Kings” classics: Let the Hammer Fall and Heading the Call. So the essentials are in place. An iron setlist that doesn’t rust. If Oscar Dronjak and Joacim Cans are the icons without whom HammerFall are unimaginable under any circumstances, Pontus Norgren is the great guitar ace who once again shoulders the burden of making sure the band’s guitar playing stands up and then some. He truly shines especially in his fascinating, breathtaking solos. Norgren’s partner in crime, who likes to bask in the spotlight, all too often “accidentally leaves out” some essential note or grip. But that’s how Oscar has always been and how he’ll stay. And that’s also exactly how the band’s fans like him best, and they wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world.
“Live! Against the World” is a bombastic and meticulously detailed document in every respect. Both in terms of the film direction and the flawless sonic execution. It’s also available on Blu-ray. And HammerFall fans will be more than delighted and satisfied with the band’s third officially released live document. As the band says: “Metal Heart is Hard To Tear Apart!” That’s how it is, and that’s how it’ll stay.
Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Track list (digital format):
01. Never Forgive, Never Forget
02. One Against The World
03. Heeding The Call
04. The Way Of The Warrior
05. Any Means Necessary
06. Hallowed Be My Name
07. Blood Bound
08. Redemption
09. Hector’s Hymn
10. Natural High
11. Second To One
12. Renegade Medley
13. Keep The Flame Burning
14. Dominion
15. The Dragon Lies Bleeding
16. Last Man Standing
17. Let The Hammer Fall
18. Hammer High
19. (We Make) Sweden Rock
20. Hearts On Fire
Lineup:
Joacim Cans – vocals
Oscar Dronjak – guitar
Pontus Norgren – guitar
Fredrik Larsson – bass
David Wallin – drums
