Crimson Thunder

HammerFall broke through the pack on their fourth album by fully embracing the arena rock side of power metal that oft got ignored in favor of neoclassical noodling. The first half especially contains some of the most glorious anthems to ever burst through the gates of Valhalla: “Riders of the Storm,” “Crimson Thunder,” and especially 2010 Olympics Swedish Women’s Curling team anthem “Hearts on Fire” inspire hoisting all the flagons. Their good-natured approach to the business of rocking makes this the perfect introduction to the subgenre.