Hammerfall LIVE!
March 9, 2010 at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia, Penn.
by Steve Trager
Staff Writer
There is only one true way to describe Hammerfall’s music and that is both “amazing” and “brilliant” as musicians, and they proved it once again playing live at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia March 9. Hard to believe that this band has been together for more than a decade, has jammed a fist full of CDs down our throats, and hasn’t actually stepped forward to dominate the soil of America until the late ‘90s. Their rip-roaring live performance showcases the finest Swedish Power Metal that one can only imagine as a music fan.
It is a rare performance for the likes of Hammerfall, who don’t actually tour North America as often as one would hope. Sure they put out records time after time, but to see them play these well written pieces of melodic metal is another story altogether for any fan who enjoys Power Metal.
Another new chapter for Hammerfall, who recently launched their third consecutive mini-tour of both America and Canada to support No Sacrifice, No Victory released last year, started their five-week tour in Virgina and slammed into Philly on the fourth night of the tour schedule at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia.
After missing this band five years ago, as a deep rooted music fan who enjoys beyond a core of music in Metal alone, this was a must see performance, to visually see five musicians come together and set the stage a blaze with a tapestry of songs that captures the music of Hammerfall in 90 minutes.
Hammerfall not only has great music but also shares something you don’t often see or hear: amazing harmonies from three other musicians as a whole during such a live performance, matching the band’s true sound on each song note for note. Is 90 minutes enough to get Hammerfalls’ music etched into your brain? By all means, no way. This band could have played more then two hours easily and pulled out some deep tracks spanning their 13-year career as a band but, we had to settle for 17 songs on the set list which is often changed up night after night.
Along with a few hundred fans who like myself long desired to see this band rip Philly a new crack in the ass, definitely got our money’s worth. Hammerfall never lost sight of working the Philly crowd with a few “Lets see what you got Philly” attitude, even a small glimpse of a nice saucy mosh pit going to some of their songs; man you have to love that. Nothing like breaking a sweat and getting your blood moving at a Power Metal show.
Of course like most bands who constantly change guitars in every single song throughout the entire show, Hammerfall does the opposite, with just a change or two still showing their true ability to rock out on stage. Nothing like well-choreographed headbanging, hair swirling moments as Hammerfall nailed Philly in 2010. If you missed this rare opportunity to see this band kick ass, then you might have to wait another five years to see them do it again. With a name like Hammerfall, they do more then just rock, they drop the “Rock Hammer” as heavy as one can only visually see from the naked eye on this amazing spectacle mini-tour.
Philadelphia Hammerfall Set List :
Punish & Enslave
Crimson Thunder
Renegade
Hallowed Be My Name
Last Man Standing
Blood Bound
Life Is Now
Heeding The Call
Rebel Inside
The Metal Age
Between Two Worlds
Any Means Necessary
Stronger Than All
Riders of The Storm
Encores:
Secrets
Let the Hammer Fall
Hearts on Fire
A well-rounded list of amazing songs that truly captured Hammerfall as a live band on this tour. One can only say, “Yeah, that show kicked more than just ass live!”
