Just over a year after the release of Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken the Swedish band Hammerfall returns with a new dose of traditional/power metal.
Though stylistically Threshold is very similar to their last CD, it is a slight improvement. With Hammerfall you know what you're going to get: melodic songs punctuated with crunchy guitar riffs and lyrics about epic battles and victory. Those songs are a little more memorable on this CD with better hooks and a couple of potential concert anthems.
One of the strongest weapons in Hammerfall's repertoire is vocalist Joacim Cans. His voice is clear and powerful with the range and emotion needed to bring the epic lyrics to life. Although they sometimes drift into cheesiness, Hammerfall still brings enough to the table to make this a worthwhile CD.
