Renegade [ECD] - HammerFall

...album of quality heavy/power metal. Renegade could well be their best one.

As there are no fillers on this album, I feel it necessary to go through each track.

1. Templars of Steel - The ominous sounding intro leads into an awesome chugging riff which sets the tone for the whole album. You will be raising your fist to the sky as you chant "Let your voice speak for the revolution!" at the top of your voice.
...it.

3. Renegade - The title track is a typical example of the kind of power metal that has made Hammerfall so famous. It starts with the sound of a motorbiking revving up, followed by the famous Renegade riff. Once again the chorus is so catchy and singable. Hail to thee, hammerfall!

4. Living in Victory - The best thing about this song is the fantastic solo section. Virtually every Hammerfall track has a brilliant solo ... more

You can always rely on Hammerfall to churn out album after album of quality heavy/power metal. Renegade could well be their best one.

As there are no fillers on this album, I feel it necessary to go through each track.

1. Templars of Steel - The ominous sounding intro leads into an awesome chugging riff which sets the tone for the whole album. You will be raising your fist to the sky as you chant "Let your voice speak for the revolution!" at the top of your voice.

2. Keep the Flame Burning - Here they pick up the pace a bit with the kind of power metal that puts a massive smile your face straight away. The chorus is epic and catchy and it's impossible not to sing along with it.

3. Renegade - The title track is a typical example of the kind of power metal that has made Hammerfall so famous. It starts with the sound of a motorbiking revving up, followed by the famous Renegade riff. Once again the chorus is so catchy and singable. Hail to thee, hammerfall!

4. Living in Victory - The best thing about this song is the fantastic solo section. Virtually every Hammerfall track has a brilliant solo section but this one is stunning.

5. Always Will Be - The obligatory corny metal ballad. It wouldn't be Hammerfall without one of these. This one is actually a great track, even though the video is cringe-worthy!

6. The Way of the Warrior - My favourite of the album. This track finally brings us the main thing we like about Hammerfall - The sound of big crowds of angry warriors chanting the backing vocals. "This is the way of the warrior!" they shout. Perfect metal.

7. Destined for Glory - An epic string intro with the guitar playing over it, followed by a nice intro solo. And a few epic choruses later the main solo starts, which opens with one of the best squealing harmonics you'll ever hear!

8. The Champion - When you first hear the chorus of "Whoa, whoa, whoa, all she needed was a champion" you will probably cringe. I guarantee that after 2 listens you will have donned a suit of armour and will be wielding a sword while singing this song.

9. Raise the Hammer - This is one of the best power metal instrumentals made. It follows the same song structure as any other, the only difference being that the guitars are doing everything the voice would usually do. It's a brilliant track and you'll be singing along with the guitar melodies all the way through.

10. A Legend Reborn - A brilliant track to cap off a marvellous metal album. This is good old fashioned heavy metal at its best.

This is real feel-good metal. It's extremely fun to listen to. But it's also extremely well executed and the musicianship is of a very high standard. 

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