HammerFall: (r)Evolution

All hail the return of Hector.

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Yet another band apparently returning to their roots, by some tortured logic this is meant to be a (r)Evolution, according to guitarist Oscar Dronjak.

Whatever the strange reasoning behind the title of this album from the Swedish power metallers, it alters not a jot the fact that this is a stunningly proficient piece of work, all rampant riffing and uplifting choruses, led from the front by band mascot Hector, who once again graces the band’s artwork after being given a break for 2011’s Infected album cover.

Suitably enough Hector’s Hymn kicks things off, with new single Bushido and the defiant We Won’t Back Down a couple of obvious highlights in a set that very much signals it’s business as usual for the HammerFall faithful.

Essi Berelian

Whether it’s magazines, books or online, Essi has been writing about rock ’n’ metal for around thirty years. He has been reviews editor for Classic Rock and Metal Hammer, rock reviews editor for lads mag Front and worked for Kerrang!. He has also written the Rough Guide to Heavy Metal and contributed to the Rough Guide to Rock and Rough Guide Book of Playlists, and the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles (13th edition). Most fun interview? Tenacious D – Jack Black and Kyle Gass – for The Pick of Destiny movie book. An avid record/CD/tape collector, he’s amassed more music than he could ever possibly listen to, which annoys his wife no end.