Glory to the Brave

Hammerfall – (r)Evolution Review

Hammerfall – (r)Evolution Review

“Life may be good, but it also subjects us to those unavoidable bitches like death, taxes, hangovers and back hair. One of the very worst of said bitches is the dreaded Law of Diminishing Returns. Few bands better exemplify the havoc this truism can create than Hammerfall. When they fired the opening salvo of the retro metal crusade back in 1997 with their Glory to the Brave debut, their fusion of Euro-power and traditional metal felt familiar, but somehow new and exciting and the song craft was above reproach. Follow up Legacy of Kings was less impactful but still fun, exuberant and catchy as crabs. Then, tragedy struck. Each successive album was weaker, less interesting and less credible, with only a few scattered winners to remind the listener how great things started out. This culminated with the very non-infectious slog of 2011s Infected and it looked as if Hammerfall was in free fall. Don thy plastic helmets and grab thy Nerf swords, for once more into the breach we must fall!

Powerwolf – Preachers of the Night Review

Powerwolf – Preachers of the Night Review

“Who’s up for a wolfnado? Hit play, go on I dare you… The wolf-pack’s back and as luck would have it I freed up just in time to safely prise Preachers of the Night from Mr Druhm’s steely, far too cynical grip! For those of you that don’t already know and love Powerwolf’s brand of heavy or power metal they go for your throat with canines bared. Locking on with the speed and catchiness of HammerFall (Glory to the Brave era), with uncomplicated melodies, simple riffing and hugely delivered, shout-along choruses similar to those of Sabaton all the while capturing some of the atmosphere of King Diamond.” Madam X made damn sure Steel Druhm didn’t review this because he has a Powerwolf hunting permit. But can even she stomach all the theatrics and silliness that comes with a release from these overacting hurricanines?