I really, really wanted to give this 5 stars, but I just couldn't. It wasn't that there is anything particularly wrong with the album, because there is not. In fact, most of it rocks harded and more smoothly than their previous release ("Legacy of Kings"). With song titles like "Templars of Steel" and "Keep the Flame Burning," you know where they're heading. Coincidentally, these are two of the strongest songs on the album and great choices to kick things off. "Renegade" and "Living in Victory" are also extremely strong, instantly memorable and chock full of speedy riffs and bombastic drumming. And though others dislike it, I found the ballad "Always Will Be" to be hauntingly beautiful, enough so that I stopped what I was doing to read along with the lyrics, completely immersing myself in the song. It's that good.

But the rest of the album seems to lose a bit of steam. Either that, or simply not do anything different than the first five tracks. Which to me is not bad (because the first five are so good), but prevents the album from being truly "perfect." All told though, it's a fantastic power metal experience and well worth the $15 it costs. Get it.


Very good, but they can't survive another album like this...   March 12, 2002
M. D. Fonseca (Thunder)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

RENEGADE is their thrid album. I'm suspect to comment about it, because I love HammerFall. This album is as good as the others, it has strong riffing, top-of-the-lungs vocals, etc. But I was shocked when I saw the guys dressed in "armour", as knights!!! I just can't take this kind of silly thing!! There's a RUNNING WILD record called VICTORY, that has the same thing!! It's horrible! And the lyrics....well, I say to you: no matter how good they are, they must change their subject a little bit. People won't be able to hold another albumd ealing with battles, glory, death with honour...


Hammerfall's third a great album   October 22, 2000
Lars Hellberg (Flen, Sweden)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Following the rather unstructured Glory to the Brave and the much improved Legacy of Kings, this Swedish band goes to new heights with this album. Renegade is a master piece! Ten great songs, powerful chords and a vibrating, dynamic voice work by outstanding Joacim Cans. The guitar work gets just better and better, and Yngwie Malmsteen's ex-drummer Anders Johansson lends a heavy beat to the album. Best track: A Legend Reborn and hit-single Renegade. This album is currently no 1 on the Swedish chart, beating back pop-giants like Madonna.


"Brace up, defend, never ever be outdone in bravery"   April 12, 2005
D. Knouse (vancouver, washington United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This album ranges from good to outstanding, with the only uninspired track (surprisingly) being a ballad entitled "Always Will Be." Hammerfall usually nails their ballads, so I was actually stunned that this track is easily the least effective song here. After their stellar debut album, "Glory to the Brave," shocked the entire Metal community into believing in Power Metal again, their second album, "Legacy of Kings," cemented their standing with a solid follow-up excursion but showed them to be in a holding pattern nonetheless. Not content to play it safe for their third album, they released "Renegade" with a sound of renewed vigor and some substantially improved production. Hammerfall takes more chances with this recording, incorporating studio effects and even more chain-gang choruses than ever before, making for a much more interesting album. The vocals are confident and inspired, the guitar-work is often technically impressive but never at the cost of losing the direction of the song, and the end result is a solid Power Metal album that I feel is nearly as good as their debut. However, this album did polarize some of their fans who wanted another "Legacy of Kings." I enjoy listening to all four of their studio creations, but with "Renegade" I appreciated hearing Hammerfall push themselves in new directions, intuitively aware of the acute possiblity of sounding stagnant with yet another attempt at replicating "Glory to the Brave." I rate this album as their second best album to date; topping "Glory to the Brave" will be next to impossible, but there are many moments on this recording that feel equally inspired. Thank you.