ALBUM REVIEW: Crimson Thunder (20th Anniversary Edition) – HammerFall

Where would HAMMERFALL be without Hearts On Fire? Well, they’d probably still be doing pretty decent business, but a few places lower on the festival line ups. For the past 20 years, it’s been the rousing climax of hundreds of live shows and brought legions of new fans into the fold. Today, it still holds up. It’s 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 it’s an instant classic, it’s also kind of overshadowed the rest of Crimson Thunder. HAMMERFALL’s fourth album isn’t their best work, but it’s 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, there’s not much difference in the production values, but when the remastered Riders Of The Storm comes thundering out of the speakers, it’s hard not to get immediately swept up in it. Two decades hasn’t 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 doesn’t pack enough emotional force to leave a lasting impact. They prevent Crimson Thunder from being a cast-iron classic, but for the most part, it’s 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 hasn’t aged much and the difference in quality isn’t overly noticeable unless you pay close attention. The bonus tracks are nice but as with all reissues, they’re 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 it’s not surprising it’s a bonafide classic. Like David Bowie’s codpiece in Labyrinth, trying to avoid it only makes you notice it more, but it’s not the only big thing you’ll want to get your hands on. So if you haven’t already listened to Crimson Thunder, go and check it out. There’s more to it than HAMMERFALL’s signature track and a lot of these songs deserve to be rediscovered. 

Rating: 8/10

Crimson Thunder (20th Anniversary Edition) is set for release on April 28th via Nuclear Blast Records.

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