When HAMMERFALL released their debut album »Glory To The Brave« in 1997, the five Swedes launched a true heavy metal revival overnight. While the mainstream was saturated with grunge and the metal scene was dominated by black and gothic acts, this traditional metal record was like a godsend and heralded a new era. Now, 20 years later, Nuclear Blast releases a fan must have: a »20 Year Anniversary Edition« of the cult album with brand-new cover artwork - just in time for christmas!
The extensive fan box set (2CD-Digi/DVD + 60 page booklet) is OUT NOW!
Get all physical formats (box set or vinyl (gold or black)), here: http://nblast.de/HammerfallGTTB20Years
Or get the digital version: http://nblast.de/HammerfallDigital
Watch the official trailer, here: https://youtu.be/pE3XNNKXfTE
"For us, the immense success was a real shock in the beginning," singer Joacim Cans recalls. Suddenly after the release of their debut album, HAMMERFALL were considered to be the saviors of true metal. They received countless rave reviews from magazines, Wacken Open Air booked the band at prime time on the main stage, Kai Hansen invited the band personally to join as support on the GAMMA RAY tour and the CD entered the German album charts at the amazing position of #38 – an unbelievable achievement during this time. "Our advantage was that no one has expected us and our album. We only did what we wanted and felt compelled to do", continues Cans. The band’s passion was influenced by their heavy metal peers: German metal acts like ACCEPT, HELLOWEEN and STORMWITCH - but also by the underdogs, including WARLORD or PICTURE. "I'm still very proud of this album, it has turned our lives upside down" the vocalist concludes.
The re-release includes the completely remastered version of »Glory To The Brave«, a radio edit of the legendary title track as well as the great cover version of the STORMWITCH classic 'Ravenlord'. The bonus CD will include live versions of 'The Metal Age', 'Steel Meets Steel', 'Stone Cold', 'Glory To The Brave', 'Hammerfall' and 'The Dragon Lies Bleeding', as well as a medley of numerous tracks off of their first class debut album, which was recorded live this year at a show in Berlin.
In addition to this, the double CD will also include a bonus DVD containing the first chapters of their »The First Crusade« documentary, which was originally published on VHS. As well as four new, historically edited interview chapters, the DVD also includes a live recording of the band's Dynamo Open Air show at Eindhoven in 1998. The album will be available as a digipak box set, including a booklet containing detailed liner notes, photos from the private archives of the band as well as magazine articles, flyers, posters and much more. Fans can also purchase the audio part separately, which includes bonus tracks as a double-vinyl in various colors. There has been no other album that was quite as important for the development of heavy metal in the nineties and now, the milestone will be published in a comprehensive deluxe edition that leaves no fan's wishes unfulfilled!
