HAMMERFALL

Live Against The World

Napalm Records / Universal 

DVD/BD, 105:58 min., FSK 12 

On February 15, 2020, Hammerfall performed at the MHP Arena in Ludwigsburg, at a time when nobody could really imagine that not even four weeks later all concerts would be cancelled, first until the end of August and then until the end of the year. The Swedes chose the aforementioned evening to create a new live document for the fans. After all, the great live DVD/BD "Gates Of Dalhalla" has already been in the country for eight years. In the meantime three new studio albums have been released, from which of course some songs, among others 'Never Forgive, Never Forget', 'One Against The World', 'Dominion', 'Hectors Hymn', 'Hammer High' and '(We Make) Sweden Rock', have been added to the setlist. Eight years is a very long time in the music business, fans grew up and the interest in live recordings for home cinema grew, especially due to the Corona-related dry spell regarding live concerts. Now fans all over the world can experience how the concert evening in Ludwigsburg was. Twenty compositions found their way onto the disc, besides the newer tracks of course the most important classics like 'Blood Bound', 'Any Means Necessary', 'Last Man Standing', 'Let The Hammer Fall' and 'Hearts On Fire'. The live atmosphere was captured in unexcited pictures, with a relaxed editing, as if the viewer himself was in the audience. For this purpose, a camera position was chosen so that the displays of the smartphones, which hold up the visitors non-stop, can often be seen well in the foreground. In addition, the outstretched arms and backs and shoulders of the fans in the rows in front of the camera up to the stage. This makes an authentic impression and gives the sofa fan the feeling of being in the middle of the audience. Of course, the five other camera angles are selected, as usual for concert films. The Swedes celebrate the evening with a lot of joy and the passion they are used to. To the surprise of the fans, 'Second To One' Battle Beast-Frontwoman Noora Louhimo joins Joacim Cans as a duet partner. Together they intonate a very passionate version of the song. On the BluRay the fan gets in addition to the live show the four videos of '(We Make) Sweden Rock', 'One Against The World', 'Dominion' and 'Second To One' as bonus material. Besides DVD and BluRay, the concert is also available as a double CD. Templar, what more do you want?      

Jürgen Will