Glory To The Brave
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''Glory to the Brave'' is the debut studio album by Swedish
power metal Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within a symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in co ...
band
HammerFall HammerFall is a Swedish power metal band from Gothenburg. The band was formed in 1993 by ex- Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak. They have released thirteen studio albums. History Early days (1993–1996) HammerFall was formed when g ...
, released in 1997. Despite the fact that the band was formed in 1993, HammerFall performed mostly live music and covers before this album was released. "Steel Meets Steel" was composed by
Oscar Dronjak Oscar Fredrick Dronjak (born 20 January 1972) is a Swedish guitarist and founder of the power metal band HammerFall. Prior to the success of HammerFall, he also played and released albums with the death metal acts Ceremonial Oath and Crystal Age ...
just before the band was formed and is included on this album. The band signed a deal with the Dutch label Vic Records.
Nuclear Blast Nuclear Blast Records is a German record label with subsidiary, subsidiaries located in Germany, the United States and Brazil. It was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Donzdorf. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on ...
approached Vic Records and obtained a license deal for the album. Later, Nuclear Blast bought the entire rights from Vic Records. Although the
In Flames In Flames is a Swedish Heavy metal music, heavy metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990 out of the Swedish death metal, Swedish death metal scene. Their lineup has changed several times, with vocalist Anders Frid ...
guitarist
Jesper Strömblad Clas Håkan Jesper Strömblad (born 28 November 1972) is a Swedish musician who is the guitarist of the bands The Halo Effect, Dimension Zero and Cyhra, and formerly of In Flames and The Resistance. He is best known as the founder and forme ...
was listed as the drummer, all the drums were actually played by session musician Patrik Räfling, who joined the band as a full-time member shortly after the album's release. The cover art was painted by Andreas Marschall. "I Believe" was co-written with
Peter Stålfors Dream Evil is a Swedish heavy metal band, assembled by producer Fredrik Nordström in 1999. They have released seven studio albums. History Producer Fredrik Nordström had the ambition of creating a power metal band of his own for a long t ...
of Pure X and, later, the more famous
Dream Evil Dream Evil is a Swedish heavy metal band, assembled by producer Fredrik Nordström in 1999. They have released seven studio albums. History Producer Fredrik Nordström had the ambition of creating a power metal band of his own for a long ...
.


Composition

The band explained that the lyrics of "Glory to the Brave" are a tribute to long lost friends who died too early. "Even though they are not around anymore, they have a place in my heart forever." The dedication to Klas Fors, is to Joacim's grandfather, who died before the recording.


Release

The single "Glory to the Brave" was released on 20 October 1997. The cover photo for the single was made by Richard Jakobsen. The album ''Glory to the Brave'' was re-released in 2002 as a deluxe edition with the
Stormwitch Stormwitch is a German heavy metal band from Heidenheim, formed in 1981. They have been called "The Masters of Black Romantic" by their fans. The band's song lyrics often focused on fantasy, occult or historical themes, along with their conte ...
cover "Ravenlord" as a bonus track as well as a multimedia section including a music video.


Critical reception

In 2005, ''Glory to the Brave'' was ranked number 295 in ''Rock Hard'' magazine's book of ''The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time''. In 2020, it was named one of the 20 best metal albums of 1997 by ''
Metal Hammer ''Metal Hammer'' is a heavy metal music magazine and website founded in 1983, published in the United Kingdom by Future, with other language editions published by different companies available in numerous other countries. ''Metal Hammer'' featu ...
'' magazine.


Track listing

Bonus track


Personnel

*
Joacim Cans Joacim Cans (born 19 February 1970) is a Swedish singer, best known as the lead vocalist of power metal band HammerFall. He is the only member aside from founder and guitarist Oscar Dronjak to appear on all of the band's albums. Cans attended ...
– lead vocals, background harmonies *
Oscar Dronjak Oscar Fredrick Dronjak (born 20 January 1972) is a Swedish guitarist and founder of the power metal band HammerFall. Prior to the success of HammerFall, he also played and released albums with the death metal acts Ceremonial Oath and Crystal Age ...
– guitars, backing vocals *Fredrik Larsson – bass, backing vocals *
Glenn Ljungström Glenn Ljungström (born 7 September 1974) is a Swedish guitarist from Nödinge-Nol. He was a guitarist and composer in a few Swedish metal bands. He was most notably in the melodic death metal band In Flames from 1993 to 1997. He quit In Flames ...
– guitars *
Jesper Strömblad Clas Håkan Jesper Strömblad (born 28 November 1972) is a Swedish musician who is the guitarist of the bands The Halo Effect, Dimension Zero and Cyhra, and formerly of In Flames and The Resistance. He is best known as the founder and forme ...
– drums (writing credit only) *Patrik Räfling – drums


References


External links


Official HammerFall websiteHammerFall - Glory to the Brave
{{Authority control 1997 debut albums HammerFall albums Nuclear Blast albums Albums recorded at Studio Fredman Albums produced by Fredrik Nordström