Glory to the Brave (CD - 1997)

HammerFall: Joacim Cans (vocals); Oscar Dronjak (guitar, background vocals); Glenn Ljungstrom (guitar); Fredrik Larsson (bass, background vocals); Jesper Stromblad (drums).

Additional personnel: Stefan Elmgren (acoustic guitar); Mats Hansson (guitar); Fredrik Nordstrom (grand piano, keyboards, background vocasl); Patrik Rafling (drums); Niklas Isfalt, Hans Bjork (background vocals).

Hammerfall: Fredrik Larsson (bass guitar, background vocals); Joacim Cans, Oscar Dronjak, Jesper Strömblad, Glenn Ljungström.

Personnel: Joacim Cans (vocals, background vocals); Stefan Elmgren (guitar, acoustic guitar); Oscar Dronjak (guitar, background vocals); Glenn Ljungström (guitar); Fredrik Norström (piano, keyboards, background vocals); Patrik Räfling, Jesper Strömblad (drums).

Glory to the Brave is indeed a classic power metal record -- no frills or progressive elements here, just speed-laden, melodic, grandiose anthems about honor, glory, and slaying dragons. And the group manages to generally steer clear of the campiness that plagued bands like Manowar. Of note are the pro-Crusades lyrics of "Steel Meets Steel," atypical sentiments in a genre known for rebelling against religion. Overall this stuff isn't new or groundbreaking, but it's performed passionately enough that you'd think you were starting to experience the New Wave of British Heavy Metal the first time around. Hammerfall also gets points for covering Warlord's long-lost classic "Child of the Damned." ~ Bryan Reesman minimize