Hammerfall-Crimson_Thunder__20_Year_Anniversary_Edition-24BIT-WEB-FLAC-2023-MOONBLOOD

Section

MP3/FLAC

Group

MOONBLOOD

Size

1,26 GB

Files

26

Date

2023-04-28

NFO

     Artist......: Hammerfall
     Album.......: Crimson Thunder - 20 Year Anniversary Edition
     Year........: 2023

     Genre.......: Metal
     Label.......: Nuclear Blast
     Cat.No......:

     Source......: WEB (24bit)
     Encoder.....: libFLAC
     Quality.....: 1741kbps avg. / 44.1kHz / 2 channels

     Playtime....: 01:42:30  (1348.4MB)
     R.date......: 2023-04-28
     S.date......: 2023-04-28

     Website.....: http://open.qobuz.com/album/b5v4radgk185b


     Disc 1 / 1
     --------

     01. Riders of the Storm                                             4:34
     02. Hearts on Fire                                                  3:51
     03. On the Edge of Honour                                           4:46
     04. Crimson Thunder                                                 5:05
     05. Lore of the Arcane                                              1:29
     06. Trailblazers                                                    4:39
     07. Dreams Come True                                                4:04
     08. Angel of Mercy                                                  5:37
     09. The Unforgiving Blade                                           3:41
     10. In Memoriam                                                     4:27
     11. Hero's Return                                                   5:10
     12. Riders of the Storm (Preproduction)                             4:35
     13. On the Edge of Honour (Preproduction)                           4:47
     14. Trailblazers (Preproduction)                                    4:37
     15. Angel of Mercy (Preproduction)                                  5:35
     16. The Unforgiving Blade (Preproduction)                           3:41
     17. Hero's Return (Preproduction)                                   4:18
     18. Hearts on Fire (Preproduction)                                  3:52
     19. Heeding the Call (Acoustic Live Version)                        6:49
     20. Steel Meets Steel (Acoustic Live Version)                       5:18
     21. Renegade (Acoustic Live Version)                                5:42
     22. Crimson Thunder Medley (Live)                                   5:53


     Where would HAMMERFALL be without Hearts On Fire? Well, theyÆd probably
     still be doing pretty decent business, but a few places lower on the
     festival line ups. For the past 20 years, itÆs been the rousing climax of
     hundreds of live shows and brought legions of new fans into the fold.
     Today, it still holds up. ItÆs an anthemic rush of power metal brilliance,
     perfectly designed for a call and response interaction with a rabid crowd,
     and those galloping guitar riffs still slay.

     However, while itÆs an instant classic, itÆs also kind of overshadowed the
     rest of Crimson Thunder. HAMMERFALLÆs fourth album isnÆt their best work,
     but itÆs nevertheless a highly enjoyable way to spend 45 sword waving
     minutes. This anniversary reissue is a friendly reminder that sometimes,
     revisiting an older album is just as good as discovering a new one. Crimson
     Thunder slayed when it was first released, and it still does now.

     Admittedly, thereÆs not much difference in the production values, but when
     the remastered Riders Of The Storm comes thundering out of the speakers,
     itÆs hard not to get immediately swept up in it. Two decades hasnÆt taken
     the edge off it and it packs a mighty big chorus and hunky chunky power
     chords. The title track meanwhile is a massive, foot-stomping highlight,
     and Unforgiving Blade is macho nonsense par excellence.

     There are a couple of weaknesses in the track list; two instrumentals was a
     bit much and Dreams Come True doesnÆt pack enough emotional force to leave
     a lasting impact. They prevent Crimson Thunder from being a cast-iron
     classic, but for the most part, itÆs a tasty collection of shout-along
     epics. Not many of us can sing as well as Joacim Cans, so thank God for all
     the gang chants.

     The big question now is whether this edition surpasses the original? It
     certainly sounds great, but the 2002 version hasnÆt aged much and the
     difference in quality isnÆt overly noticeable unless you pay close
     attention. The bonus tracks are nice but as with all reissues, theyÆre more
     for diehard fans than the average punter. The demo tracks are far from
     essential, but the medley is pretty cool.

     And yes, Hearts On Fire is terrific. It straddles the entire record like
     the Colossus Of Rhodes doing a crotch thrusting power pose and itÆs not
     surprising itÆs a bonafide classic. Like David BowieÆs codpiece in
     Labyrinth, trying to avoid it only makes you notice it more, but itÆs not
     the only big thing youÆll want to get your hands on. So if you havenÆt
     already listened to Crimson Thunder, go and check it out. ThereÆs more to
     it than HAMMERFALLÆs signature track and a lot of these songs deserve to be
     rediscovered.

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