Hammerfall – ‘Built To Last’ [Review]
UPDATE: TMMP has been reborn! This video has the full story:
Click here to subscribe for free on YouTube!
Metal has gone through many changes over the years – but which decade is the best? Amongst the world’s headbangers, few questions are as emotionally volatile as that one. It all comes down to subjective opinions, the preferences of individuals afforded freedom of speech and expression.
Hammerfall’s allegiances have always been obvious. The Swedish legends have made their name by paying tribute to the legacy of the 80s, riddling their songs with chunky riffs, uplifting fantasy-themed lyrics, and instantly catchy melodies. Hammerfall are on a mission, pursuing their path with evangelical zeal over the course of two decades and counting.
Built To Last – Hammerfall album number ten – continues the quest in appropriate style. It’s all about survival, perseverance, sticking to your guns in the face of opposition and even ridicule. It’s about nonconformity, emerging victorious over enemies of all kinds.
It’s also supportive, welcoming, positive, and fun.
Metal is traditionally dark music, something for outsiders to rally around while being reminded that they’re not alone. As the mainstream continues to thumb its nose in metal’s direction, it’s hardly surprising that metalheads tend to take their passion a little too seriously. Hammerfall’s music, on the other hand, is an open invitation to longhairs to let their hair down and have a laugh for once.
On Built To Last – as they have throughout their career – Hammerfall perfectly balance fun and seriousness. Musicianship-wise, you can’t fault their mastery of a technically demanding style. Neither can you label them soulless, drained of vital feel and emotion.
Passion, skill, guts, and testicular fortitude: Hammerfall possess the above in abundance. They’re not going away any time soon; that much is clear. Hammerfall are literally Built To Last.
TMMP RATING: 92% (Essential Listening!)
What do you think of Built To Last? Subscribe for free to my YouTube channel, leave a comment, and let me know!
You can also find me on Twitter by clicking here.
See you in the next video!