![]() The concert on Wacken Open Air was performed to a crowd of over ten thousand people. Siding with bands Gamma Ray, Jag Panzer, Lake of Tears and Raven, several tours through the European continent ensued. The album reached position number 38 on the German Music Chart on the week of its release, something which had never before been achieved by a debut heavy metal music album. The results were quite unexpected, even after the intense marketing campaign made by Nuclear Blast. After the release of a promotional single, Glory to the Brave was released throughout Europe. The deal was accepted and the band proceeded to record their first two music videos - "HammerFall" and "Glory to the Brave". In early 1997, German label Nuclear Blast approached HammerFall with a contract for a European release deal, which included four albums. However, at the time they were considered as guest performers, not members of the band. Stefan Elmgren played some of the guitars on the Glory to the Brave album (such as the acoustic guitars on "I Believe") and Patrik Räfling actually played the drums on all songs in place of Jesper. This happened in May 1997, when bassist Magnus Rosén joined the band. Stefan Elmgren assumed the lead guitar and Patrik Räfling assumed the drums (they joined the band in the beginning of 1997 before the release of Glory to the Brave album) and Larsson decided to remain in the band until a suitable replacement for him was found. Thus, HammerFall's line-up soon underwent changes. Dronjak and Cans wanted to pursue the path of HammerFall (Dronjak's Crystal Age had ceased to exist some time ago), but Strömblad and Ljungström were committed to In Flames and Larsson was committed to the thrash metal band None. The album was initially released in the Netherlands and obtained positive feedback it is also worthy of notice that the band's mascot, the paladin Hector, first appeared on the cover of this album.Īs HammerFall grew in popularity, the time available for members of the band to dedicate to other projects became limited. The musicians soon received a deal and spent the whole of the following year writing the album Glory to the Brave. ![]() To give more exposure to their work and try for a professional recording deal, a short live performance was recorded and sent to the Dutch label, Vic Records. Glory to the Brave and Legacy of Kings (1997–1999) By the end of that day, Joacim had already been made an official member of the band. The concert was a success although the judges disqualified HammerFall for the finals. When Mikael Stanne could not perform with the band in the semi-finals, they found Joacim Cans, who agreed to play with them for the night. In 1996, HammerFall reached the semi-finals of Rockslaget. The band had few songs of their own and played mostly covers from bands such as Pretty Maids, Judas Priest and Alice Cooper. Their concerts were limited mostly to a local music contest named Rockslaget. HammerFall was relegated to being a side project of them all for several years. Both of these bands influenced Swedish melodic death metal. Dronjak and Larsson played in Crystal Age Strömblad and Ljungström played in In Flames and Stanne sang for Dark Tranquillity. When Niklas Sundin and Johan Larsson left HammerFall the following year, Glenn Ljungström (then guitarist of In Flames) and Fredrik Larsson (bassist of the former Swedish death metal band Dispatched), replaced them.Īll five members played in other bands at the time. Dronjak and Strömblad were later joined by lead guitarist Niklas Sundin, bassist Johan Larsson, and vocalist Mikael Stanne. Dronjak had already composed the song "Steel Meets Steel," which was later included on HammerFall's debut album. HammerFall was formed when rhythm guitarist Oscar Dronjak quit Ceremonial Oath and invited Jesper Strömblad (from Ceremonial Oath and In Flames) to join him as a drummer in a new musical project he had been contemplating for some time. ![]() The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak. Read Full Bio HammerFall is a Swedish power metal band from Gothenburg. ![]() HammerFall is a Swedish power metal band from Gothenburg.
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