Album review: HAMMERFORCE – Access Denied

Metalism Records ( Release date – Out now )

A bit of synth driven power metal from St Petersburg this time. Hammerforce formed back in 2006 and this is the band’s second album, the first being ‘Dice’ released back in 2009.

On first listen I wasn’t too sure what to make of this album. The lead in all tracks is taken by the synth work of Nikita Merzlyakov which is first rate but gives the album a slightly dated feel, as if you have slipped back into the 80’s. On further listens you can appreciate the fine guitar work in evidence and the album begins to make more sense.

Power metal with a prog edge is the band’s forte and they can indeed play it well. There are some good tracks here, again I couldn’t help but think I had heard it all before and possible done a lot better. That’s not to say that Hammerforce are a bad band, because they have a lot going for them, but ultimately their songwriting and style lets them down.

Tracks like ‘Mass Media’ and ‘Fugitive’ do show excellent skills, overall this is a good album not a great one. Not one I will be ‘russian’ to listen to again in a hurry! ***

David Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)