Label: Napalm Records
Date: March 22nd, 2024
König und Kaiser or Kings and Emperors. Is there a difference? König (king) ruled individual lands, Kaiser (emperor) were the rulers of the entire Holy Roman Empire. But let’s focus on Hammer King’s history.
The reign of Hammer King could be divided in two eras: Cruz del Sur Music era and Napalm Records era. If my opinion counts, the first era suits me more. After signing with Napalm Records, somehow, I got the impression that the band flew into a supersonic rocket. I hope they will not burn out on the way up.
“Hammer King” was released in June 2021, “Kingdemonium” in August 2022, and “König und Kaiser” in March 2024. Maybe a layman like me doesn’t understand, but somehow it seems to me that albums shouldn’t have been released in such a short period of time, especially if you know that “Hammer King” and “Kingdemonium” were released during the Corona, which automatically implies the fact that adequate promotion was omitted. However, the sixth full-length album of Kaiserslautern’s metallers is out and it is about to put it through my pen (sword). Thirteen songs (10 + 3)! Ok, obviously they have an inexhaustible source of ideas, but they make my job more difficult. Jokes aside… If I am informed, fifteen songs were in the plan, and the final version of the album, as already written, included ten regular and three bonus songs packed in nearly 62 minutes of powerful metal.
After many years of experience and searching for a place on the scene, the guys have obviously found a formula that works for them. No less, no more, they established I would be free to say new subgenre – royal metal! If we consider the fact that the band released three albums in a very short period, that this one has even thirteen songs, evil spirits might say they are on the edge to fall into a rut. So far, no fear that this might happen, they are not tired yet and they have a lot to offer. Again, considering the number of songs, it makes no sense to analyse each one individually, so for a change this review will be a general review of the previous reign of our kings combined with personal impressions of the last album. Fair enough.
The last three albums are more powerful, at least when it comes to music. They had choirs before, but the difference is that now they are more pumped up. I already wrote once, and unfortunately, I have to repeat myself, but I miss the power in Titan’s vocals too. Compared to their first reign, and even if we remember the albums on which he sang with Ross the Boss, now he sings much higher. At some point even too high. But again, if my opinion counts, I think more power and less high singing would perfectly fit him. Apart from the music, the band has changed visual appearance over the years. The concept of each album was followed by the costume change (long black robes from the period of their first album would win on my list), but pedestals and Reichhammer to this day they are an indispensable part of the scenography.
Speaking of the “König und Kaiser”, musically, the biggest surprise, when it comes to the sound, is the “Kings of Arabia”. Somehow this song refers to Symphonity, so maybe it would be a nice idea for a future cooperation. Overall, experimenting in music makes me very happy, and in this case the oriental sound in “Kings of Arabia” is a big plus for the band. Another plus – German lyrics. Of course, when the album title is in German, the song, if not the whole, at least part of it must include German lyrics. Remember “Hammerschlag”:
“Hammerschlag, Hammerschlag
Sceptre of light, the sign of
Hammerschlag, Hammerschlag
The power of man, preise den Lichtstab
Hammerschlag.”
Now we have:
“Er lebe hoch!
König und Kaiser
Der Hammer King
Er lebe hoch!
Dieses land braucht ihn
Den Hammer King.”
The melody and the refrain are very similar to “Wo ist der Kaiser” (EAV – Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung).
Another “surprise” is a guest appearance of The Tribune (Warkings) in “König und Kaiser”. Label mates already toured together, and the song is just a crown of their cooperation. My absolute favourites are actually the most powerful songs or as they say in one of those – faster than the speed of light and raging just like thunder: “The Devil Will I Do”, “War Hammer“, “I Want Chaos” and on the pedestal is the bonus track “The Last of the 7 Wars” with irresistible earworm melody combining march and Abzählreim (the lack of English word is a consequence of living in a German-speaking area for the last six months).
When you have the musicians who were in today’s legendary and very successful bands as Ross the Boss or Saltatio Mortis, it is a matter of time when they will make something big. With persistent work and patience, talent and creativity, step by step, Hammer King is close to the throne of metal.
If you like battle hymns, dynamic, melody and sing along choruses this is an album for you. And what else to say in the end if not: God bless the King, may the King bless all of you!
