These boys serve us nothing new, but whatever they play and do, they do it very well. They lean a bit on AC/DC or even the old Accept, but still got their own individual touch. Founded in 2001, they put out their first alubm in 2006, entitled 'Heading For The Top' and received chartpositions and brilliant reviews for that. In 2008 the put out the second release 'Bite The Bullet'. And inbetween, they are touring their butt's off. It's the reputation the boys are after, and tonight Bullet certainly tighten their standard. 

And although Bullet are the opener of this evening, they can manage, that the audiance already freak out - respect. Not many artists in this position can do so. And some of the Hammerfall fans here, are now Bullet fans as well.

http//www.myspace.com/bulletsweden 



The golden middle is built by Sabaton, also from Sweden and even 2 years longer in the business, than Bullet. 

This lot has got 4 releases so far, and the lastest one is 'The Art Of War'. Singer Joakim Brodén somehow reminds me on the young Graham Bonnet in the Rainbow clip 'Since You've Been Gone', yeah well, at least a little bit. And he surely stucks out with his extraordinary look and the rough timbre in his voice. By the way, did you know, that the name Sabaton stands for a shoe in the middle age, which was worn as part of a knight's outfit? No, don't worry, we're not getting here any backpipe philosophy. Their music is still Power Metal , whereby this band has got a bit more modern touch than the first act.

Most of the songs are telling about the topic war. But the band denies, that they wanna glorify war, but rather just telling stories.However you see this...as I have often mentioned in reviews before, during performances (at least in non english speaking countries) not many understand a word of the sung words anyway and goes mainly for the tune and rhythm. And it definately does. And the whole venuegoes mad. Hammerfall could not have got any better support acts than those two. And they really have to take an effort now, to do even better...

http://www.sabaton.net/

But whoever had any doubts, looses them right at the very first minute. And therefore Hammerfall don't need any huge stage outfit or any special effects.

They come, they play and the win immidiately. And when the crowd already stood on their heads during the support acts performances, so now they are bursting and rolling over because of such an immense enthusiasm.
It's almost exactly 2 years ago now, that the band played even the same venue here, only with a different support. But like I mentioned already in the beginning, since then, only the support and their very own band line up has changed. So did Mr. Norgren change his job from the Poodles to Hammerfall. At least everything stays withing the big swedish Rockbands family. One thing is for sure, the exchange has not harmed the music at all. And even some mistakes played by Oskar ain't important.. it rocks, and this is the point. Nothing else counts....

No pyroeffects anymore (at least in Munich), which used to be standard in a Hammerfall show. But they don't live behind the moon and in addition to their music and attractiv performers, we get a lasershow instead of a fireshow, most of all at the song 'Last Man Standing'. Nice impressing effect and view, which is underlining Hammerfall's power symphony.

Meanwhile goldielocks Oskar dedicates one song to the victims of today's amokrun of a 17 year old in a school in western Germany. Respect, Hammerfall surely know what to do. 
A really well done Metal show comes to an end. And once again it is proved, that all 3 bands know very well how to transfer the old 80s Metal to the present in a fresh and modern way. This here are certainly no antique melodic- or Glamrocker. No this is Hammerfall 2009, a bit older, a bit wiser but still great. And I say this without any hesitation, though I'm definately personally no fan of this so-called true Heavy Metal But it is a fact. Everything else would be a lie. 
http://www.hammerfall.net/