Helhorse
Grand Magus
Hammerfall
Napalm Death
Ten Foot Wizard
Showing posts with label Hammerfall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hammerfall. Show all posts
Saturday, April 01, 2017
GALLERY: Day two at HRH Utd/Hammerfest
AS day two of Hard Rock Hell dawned, Lizzie Torbitt was once again on hand to snap some of the action:
Helhorse
Gévaudan
Virus
Helhorse
LIVE REVIEW: Hard Rock Hell United rocks North Wales to the core
WITH unseasonable sunshine greeting those attending Day Two of Hard Rock Hell 2017 it is appropriate to note that while Hammerfest is often the featured title, there is more it than just one set of featured genres of metal.
As well as Hammerfest at the Cove Stage at Hafan Y Mor the Boardwalk sees Stoner, Doom and Thrash bands to enthral and entertain.
However, for fans, reviewers and photographers - even when not beer befuddled - it is impossible to take all acts in. Sure, you can nip from side to side (the stages are only few short yards apart) but to review the bands properly some acts could not been caught.
Given the smorgasbord of metal talent on show it is hardly a complaint. For the BelfastmetalheadsReunited team it is a privilege to actually be present at Camp HRH and attenord Hard Rock Hell United so we weren't moaning!
With the sun shining we were pleasantly awakened by our neighbours, a collection of Irish, Northern Irish, plus the obligatory Scouser toasting the glorious weather. This was Wales in March - what the hell was going on!
With 20 bands playing in less than 12 hours the first act we took in was the Danish outfit Helhorse - not to be confused with the American band named Hellhorse. The groove was evident from the off as they paraded songs from their three albums to date, including last year's self-titled release.
Mikkel is a commanding and engaging front man, however unlike the bassist and two guitarists he remained full clad throughout...we have no idea why they wore no tops; perhaps it was the weather.
Nevertheless they engaged the early afternoon audience from the off with tracks 'Fortune Favours The Bold', 'My Heaven/Your Hell' and 'And His Name Is Death' stand outs in the 40-minute set.
On the Doom stage amongst the highlights was Gévaudan's set - enough bottom line to shake the innards for the majority of the set.
However, any bands competing against Grand Magus would struggle as the Nordic warriors were always going to attract many metal loyalists with their tales of heroism set to classic metal music.
The influences of Priest, Rainbow and Purple ooze from the Cove stage, set as if those acts were themselves destined for their own rock Valhalla. For a threesome they always maximise their power and on stage presence, with JB holding all within the grasp of his riffs from his flying 'V'.
'Steel Vs Steel' (with its reference to Blue Oyster Cult) had the crowd rising up even higher as Fox tries to repress his smile as arms and voices are raised up.
Equally' Varangian' and 'Iron Will' provoke an adoring audience response. Grand Magus provide metal excellence.
And, after the Magus came their countrymen Hammerfall with their power metal that rises the temperature even higher in the venue. All the tropes one would expect from such an act are present and correct, but delivered with such sincerity and glee that any thoughts of clichés are thrust aside.
Indeed, there was a certain sense of a celebration in the room from the back to the stage, despite the trials and tribulations of the band's journey to Wales that saw most of the gear and some stage clothe in Amsterdam while motorway delays meant it wasn't long before their allotted time that they began.
Joacim's explanation and cheers, even given the announcement that the set would be shortened by at least one song. With the 'Built To Last' album still fresh for all, Hammerfall chose to reflect live their back catalogue along with more recent releases.
'Blood Bound' has the Cove's roof properly raised, but the closing duo of tracks 'Let The Hammer Fall' and 'Hammer High' has the mass singalong sounding like a crowd of maddened Vikings sating their lust for the fight, and maybe a glorious end across the Rainbow Bridge.
With their aggro grindcore still relevant in the 21st Century Napalm Death are still musically and lyrically current, never diminishing their edge. From their slow-burning opener the crowd's response was frenetic.
By the time the pace quickened the pit was intense, and crowd surfing was rampant...and that is when the gig had to be halted. Someone had fallen. Security stepped in quickly, paramedics were on hand and Barney explained that they would "naff off" for a while to allow treatment.
Thankfully the person concerned seems, at the time of writing, not seriously injured, but the reaction of the band and the staff was measured and appropriate.
After the pause Napalm Death resumed their set, with their familiar intense approach, but the response may have been a little more subdued for a brief time.
As Cancer closed the Hammerfest stage across the way two acts were wrapping things up for the evening under the 'thash' banner. Virus brought irreverent attitude to the table together with a straight, no nonsense sound encapsulating all that is good about like.
An honourable mention, of course, goes to 'The Defective Detective (The Ballad of Inspector Gadget).
Humour was much on the agenda at midnight when Ten Ton Wizard took to the stage for a 40-minute conclusion to Day Two's proceedings. Sure, they have many giggles and laughs in between songs, but it would all be for nowt if they did not have the heavy blues music to back it all up.
They may, at times, seem not to take themselves too seriously but their sound is a well organised aural assault.
Thus we wended our way back to our accommodation...now where were those party animal neighbours for a late night bevvy or two? Asleep! What heresy is this!
Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Lizzie Torbitt
As well as Hammerfest at the Cove Stage at Hafan Y Mor the Boardwalk sees Stoner, Doom and Thrash bands to enthral and entertain.
However, for fans, reviewers and photographers - even when not beer befuddled - it is impossible to take all acts in. Sure, you can nip from side to side (the stages are only few short yards apart) but to review the bands properly some acts could not been caught.
 |
| Pic by Lizzie Torbitt |
Given the smorgasbord of metal talent on show it is hardly a complaint. For the BelfastmetalheadsReunited team it is a privilege to actually be present at Camp HRH and attenord Hard Rock Hell United so we weren't moaning!
With the sun shining we were pleasantly awakened by our neighbours, a collection of Irish, Northern Irish, plus the obligatory Scouser toasting the glorious weather. This was Wales in March - what the hell was going on!
With 20 bands playing in less than 12 hours the first act we took in was the Danish outfit Helhorse - not to be confused with the American band named Hellhorse. The groove was evident from the off as they paraded songs from their three albums to date, including last year's self-titled release.
Mikkel is a commanding and engaging front man, however unlike the bassist and two guitarists he remained full clad throughout...we have no idea why they wore no tops; perhaps it was the weather.
Nevertheless they engaged the early afternoon audience from the off with tracks 'Fortune Favours The Bold', 'My Heaven/Your Hell' and 'And His Name Is Death' stand outs in the 40-minute set.
 |
Pic by Lizzie Torbitt
|
On the Doom stage amongst the highlights was Gévaudan's set - enough bottom line to shake the innards for the majority of the set.
However, any bands competing against Grand Magus would struggle as the Nordic warriors were always going to attract many metal loyalists with their tales of heroism set to classic metal music.
The influences of Priest, Rainbow and Purple ooze from the Cove stage, set as if those acts were themselves destined for their own rock Valhalla. For a threesome they always maximise their power and on stage presence, with JB holding all within the grasp of his riffs from his flying 'V'.
'Steel Vs Steel' (with its reference to Blue Oyster Cult) had the crowd rising up even higher as Fox tries to repress his smile as arms and voices are raised up.
 |
Pic by Lizzie Torbitt
|
Equally' Varangian' and 'Iron Will' provoke an adoring audience response. Grand Magus provide metal excellence.
And, after the Magus came their countrymen Hammerfall with their power metal that rises the temperature even higher in the venue. All the tropes one would expect from such an act are present and correct, but delivered with such sincerity and glee that any thoughts of clichés are thrust aside.
Indeed, there was a certain sense of a celebration in the room from the back to the stage, despite the trials and tribulations of the band's journey to Wales that saw most of the gear and some stage clothe in Amsterdam while motorway delays meant it wasn't long before their allotted time that they began.
Joacim's explanation and cheers, even given the announcement that the set would be shortened by at least one song. With the 'Built To Last' album still fresh for all, Hammerfall chose to reflect live their back catalogue along with more recent releases.
 |
Pic by Lizzie Torbitt
|
'Blood Bound' has the Cove's roof properly raised, but the closing duo of tracks 'Let The Hammer Fall' and 'Hammer High' has the mass singalong sounding like a crowd of maddened Vikings sating their lust for the fight, and maybe a glorious end across the Rainbow Bridge.
With their aggro grindcore still relevant in the 21st Century Napalm Death are still musically and lyrically current, never diminishing their edge. From their slow-burning opener the crowd's response was frenetic.
By the time the pace quickened the pit was intense, and crowd surfing was rampant...and that is when the gig had to be halted. Someone had fallen. Security stepped in quickly, paramedics were on hand and Barney explained that they would "naff off" for a while to allow treatment.
 |
Pic by Lizzie Torbitt
|
Thankfully the person concerned seems, at the time of writing, not seriously injured, but the reaction of the band and the staff was measured and appropriate.
After the pause Napalm Death resumed their set, with their familiar intense approach, but the response may have been a little more subdued for a brief time.
As Cancer closed the Hammerfest stage across the way two acts were wrapping things up for the evening under the 'thash' banner. Virus brought irreverent attitude to the table together with a straight, no nonsense sound encapsulating all that is good about like.
An honourable mention, of course, goes to 'The Defective Detective (The Ballad of Inspector Gadget).
 |
| Pic by Lizzie Torbitt |
Humour was much on the agenda at midnight when Ten Ton Wizard took to the stage for a 40-minute conclusion to Day Two's proceedings. Sure, they have many giggles and laughs in between songs, but it would all be for nowt if they did not have the heavy blues music to back it all up.
They may, at times, seem not to take themselves too seriously but their sound is a well organised aural assault.
Thus we wended our way back to our accommodation...now where were those party animal neighbours for a late night bevvy or two? Asleep! What heresy is this!
Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Lizzie Torbitt
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
INTERVIEW: Hammerfall had a mad jouney to get to HRH - Frederick explains
YOUR gear is in Amsterdam, your stuck in a traffic jam for several hours on the M6, but you still play a tremendous show. You must be Hammerfall then!
Hammers held high, Frederick explains:
Hammers held high, Frederick explains:
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
INTERVIEW: Frederick from Hammerfall on the trials and tribulations of getting to Camp HRH for Hammerfest 2017
TO say that Hammerfall had a troubled travel experience to appear at Hammerfest 2017...but still they rocked Camp HRH.
To find out why they had to borrow gear watch what Ferderick said below..
To find out why they had to borrow gear watch what Ferderick said below..
Thursday, November 03, 2016
ALBUM REVIEW: Hammerfall prove they are 'Built To Last' on album number 10
WHEN bands record an album do they deliberately put in a section in a song "whoa, oh , oh, oh" anticipating a future singalong? Purely a rhetorical question of course, but it does seem a trait of Euro and power metal acts.
That obligatory chant appears on the new Hammerfall album, 'Built To Last' along with all the usual songs referencing swords and hammers held high, princesses, dragons and heavy metal.
And, there now follows a chorus of people questioning the "daft" lyrics of many a power metal band...Before they cast disapproving looks down their noses, we all should pause a moment.
Would you rather they write songs with lyrics by some floppy-haired, shoe gazing middle class prat who think that they didn't get enough sweeties when they were a child? Or lyrics from some auto-tuned talentless act that barely conceal that they are singing about sex?
Heavy metal has so many flavours and varieties that you have a veritable cornucopia to choose from, and power metal, for all its overt 'silliness' has its place, and Hammerfall with nine albums already under their belts have earned their place in the metal pantheon.
On this album 'Built To Last' they have not only consolidated that place, but have in many parts exceeded many of their previous releases.
Sure, we have madly speedy songs such as the insanely fast 'Dethrone and Decry' (which has a lovely set of well times solos and that chant) as one would expect, but there also more balanced tracks such as the title track and 'Second To None'. Overall, there is enough variety in the 10 tracks, and the only gripe is there is room for another couple of songs to extend the experience.
Joachim's vocals are always clear and distinct throughout, reaching some seemingly impossible registers, while Oscar and Pontus intertwine and weave so many delicate shapes in the songs, such as some heart breaking work on 'Twilight Princess'.
What this album is, therefore, is a no compromise approach, no apologies for what Hammerfall are, or what they represent. At one turn you could sit back and let it all wash over you, at the other turn you have a beer in hand and singalong pulling all the right shapes.
And, there is the obligatory song about Heavy Metal. But, 'New Breed', which, on the surface seems a little trite, but within the references to swords et cetera there is clear allegory here about the community of metal. "New breed, old breed, we are all the same breed, heavy metal running through our veins," go the lyrics.
And therein lies the key. The shoe gazers, the mainstream, the twerkers, the commercial radio stations, the sniffy press and all the rest will never get it. We may disagree within which bands we like, and which genres of metal we prefer, but Hammerfall nail the colours to the mast, we are the community that the 'others' never understand.
Whether you like power metal or not, give this a blast, throw the horns and transport yourself to a world where we can all be saviours, quaff mead and regale each other with tales of our mighty exploits (or alcohol intake).
Hammerfall, thank you for reminding us all of how much our lives need metal.
Review by Jonathan Traynor
That obligatory chant appears on the new Hammerfall album, 'Built To Last' along with all the usual songs referencing swords and hammers held high, princesses, dragons and heavy metal.
And, there now follows a chorus of people questioning the "daft" lyrics of many a power metal band...Before they cast disapproving looks down their noses, we all should pause a moment.
Would you rather they write songs with lyrics by some floppy-haired, shoe gazing middle class prat who think that they didn't get enough sweeties when they were a child? Or lyrics from some auto-tuned talentless act that barely conceal that they are singing about sex?
Heavy metal has so many flavours and varieties that you have a veritable cornucopia to choose from, and power metal, for all its overt 'silliness' has its place, and Hammerfall with nine albums already under their belts have earned their place in the metal pantheon.
On this album 'Built To Last' they have not only consolidated that place, but have in many parts exceeded many of their previous releases.
Sure, we have madly speedy songs such as the insanely fast 'Dethrone and Decry' (which has a lovely set of well times solos and that chant) as one would expect, but there also more balanced tracks such as the title track and 'Second To None'. Overall, there is enough variety in the 10 tracks, and the only gripe is there is room for another couple of songs to extend the experience.
Joachim's vocals are always clear and distinct throughout, reaching some seemingly impossible registers, while Oscar and Pontus intertwine and weave so many delicate shapes in the songs, such as some heart breaking work on 'Twilight Princess'.
What this album is, therefore, is a no compromise approach, no apologies for what Hammerfall are, or what they represent. At one turn you could sit back and let it all wash over you, at the other turn you have a beer in hand and singalong pulling all the right shapes.
And, there is the obligatory song about Heavy Metal. But, 'New Breed', which, on the surface seems a little trite, but within the references to swords et cetera there is clear allegory here about the community of metal. "New breed, old breed, we are all the same breed, heavy metal running through our veins," go the lyrics.
And therein lies the key. The shoe gazers, the mainstream, the twerkers, the commercial radio stations, the sniffy press and all the rest will never get it. We may disagree within which bands we like, and which genres of metal we prefer, but Hammerfall nail the colours to the mast, we are the community that the 'others' never understand.
Whether you like power metal or not, give this a blast, throw the horns and transport yourself to a world where we can all be saviours, quaff mead and regale each other with tales of our mighty exploits (or alcohol intake).
Hammerfall, thank you for reminding us all of how much our lives need metal.
Review by Jonathan Traynor
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