''Infected'' is the eighth 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 on 20 May 2011 in Europe and 7 June 2011 in North America. It was their first album produced by James Michael and the HammerFall guitarists

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 ...

and

Pontus Norgren Karl Pontus Norgren (born 22 April 1968) is a Swedish musician who has been the lead guitarist of the power metal band HammerFall since 2008. He previously also played with the hard rock band The Poodles, among others. Biography Norgren repl ...

. To promote the record, the song "

One More Time One More Time may refer to: Film and television * ''One More Time'' (1931 film), a Merrie Melodies cartoon * ''One More Time'' (1970 film), a film by Jerry Lewis * ''One More Time'', a 1974 TV special with Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, and other ...

" was released as the first official single on 6 April 2011. On 8 April 2011,

Nuclear Blast Records 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 ...

released a limited edition picture 7" version of the single "One More Time"; the vinyl was limited to 500 copies. The album entered the Swedish charts at number two. The album's second single, "Send Me a Sign", was released on 6 May 2011 with two tracks: "Send Me a Sign" and "Send Me a Sign (Instrumental)".
The album's third single "B.Y.H" was released on 23 August 2011 and it had two tracks: "B.Y.H." and "Hol van a szó (Send Me a Sign - Hungarian Version)".

Album cover disputes

After considering potential legal actions and possible negative reception, the original album cover of a black

biological hazard A biological hazard, or biohazard, is a biological substance that poses a threat (or is a hazard) to the health of living organisms, primarily humans. This could include a sample of a microorganism, virus or toxin that can adversely affect huma ...

symbol on a grey background was changed to the existing bloody hand. Band mascot Hector had been featured prominently on each album cover up to this point, and many fans saw his exclusion from this album as a sign that HammerFall were possibly moving away from their traditional

sound. Hector does, however, appear on the "Send Me a Sign" single, and artist

Samwise Didier Sam "Samwise" Didier (born 1971) is an American artist. He served as senior art director at Blizzard Entertainment, having been with the company since 1991. As the art director for the flagship games of the ''Warcraft'', ''StarCraft'', and ''Di ...

even provides backup vocals on the main album, indicating that fans had likely not seen the last of the chivalrous mascot. Bassist Fredrik Larsson confirmed in a live chat on the official

website that it was indeed not the end of Hector, and he would be featured on future records and merchandise. Hector returned to grace the cover of the band's next album.

Track listing

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 and backing vocals *

– rhythm, lead guitars, keyboards and backing vocals, production *

– rhythm, lead guitars and backing vocals, production * Fredrik Larsson – bass guitar and backing vocals * Anders Johansson – drums * James Michael – production

Additional musicians

* James Michael – piano, clavinet, zombie breathing, male voice on track 10 * Shanaz – female voice on track 1 * Sam Didier – additional backing vocals

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

External links

Official HammerFall website

Album Information

{{Authority control 2009 albums HammerFall albums Nuclear Blast albums