HAMMERFALL "Dominion"

HAMMERFALL

“Dominion”

HAMMERFALL albums are pretty much put together like lawn furniture and with about as much variation. They are the ultimate in “Connect Point A to Point B to Point C” construction...the ballad goes here, the fist pumping anthem goes here, the fast rager is here. And yet despite the uniformity of it all, which includes the same lyrical themes being beaten to death, the records can be enjoyable to listen to if you’re looking for melodic European power metal. After all, these guys pretty much invented the second wave of that style which came in the late 90’s.

For reasons which elude me, I find this more fun than the last couple of HAMMERFALL albums, the last of which was a real chore to get through. It just seems as if they put more heart into it...the title track is more of a mid-paced cruncher, (We Make) “Sweden Rock” is a bit more anthemic, “Second to One” jerks more tears than the usual ballad. It is strange to put into words, but the predictability and smoothness of “Dominion” makes it a soothing heavy metal listen. There are bands in every subgenre of metal...thrash, doom death...that can mine this vein of comfort. Well, for power metal, it is HAMMERFALL.

“Chain of Command” and “Testify” are probably the cream of the crop here. Joacim Cans doesn’t lose anything with age...he’s as smooth and melodic as ever. If you can understand what I’m trying to express here, then you will probably enjoy “Dominion” as well.

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HAMMERFALL