Review by Krys on March 15, 2001.

Hammerfall’s new record the "Renegade" was produced in the USA with sound master Michael Wagner. Hmm… spending probably twice as much money than for their two previous releases combined I was expecting something really special. Did I get what I wanted? Let’s see…

First track and we have first surprise. They start with a mid-tempo "Templars of Steel". Where are those speed metal songs that kicked our asses from the start on their previous albums? Actually, this is good. Very powerful, typical heavy metal.

The next tune "Keep the Flame Burning" is just good old Hammerfall; an up-tempo heavy metal banger that reminds me of the highlights from their debut release.

Then… no I’m not going to describe all the tracks. I can only tell you that there is a lot of music here. For the exceptions to the typical fast speed-power songs, we have the classic metal ballad "Always Will Be" (which of course talks about a broken heart and love) and to make it more interesting they even threw an instrumental "Raise the Hammer" into the whole mix.

For any Hammerfall and power metal fan this is a very good album. In my personal opinion, it’s slightly disappointing because, with all that budget, they could have recorded something more than just another ‘true metal’ album. This genre also needs some advancements and brave musical experiments.

Bottom Line: Not the best material they could come up with, but still in the championship league of the traditional metalworkers.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Krys on March 15, 2001.

Hammerfall’s new record the "Renegade" was produced in the USA with sound master Michael Wagner. Hmm… spending probably twice as much money than for their two previous releases combined I was expecting something really special. Did I get what I wanted? Let’s see…

First track and we have first surprise. They start with a mid-tempo "Templars of Steel". Where are those speed metal songs that kicked our asses from the start on their previous albums? Actually, this is good. Very powerful, typical heavy metal.

The next tune "Keep the Flame Burning" is just good old Hammerfall; an up-tempo heavy metal banger that reminds me of the highlights from their debut release.

Then… no I’m not going to describe all the tracks. I can only tell you that there is a lot of music here. For the exceptions to the typical fast speed-power songs, we have the classic metal ballad "Always Will Be" (which of course talks about a broken heart and love) and to make it more interesting they even threw an instrumental "Raise the Hammer" into the whole mix.

For any Hammerfall and power metal fan this is a very good album. In my personal opinion, it’s slightly disappointing because, with all that budget, they could have recorded something more than just another ‘true metal’ album. This genre also needs some advancements and brave musical experiments.

Bottom Line: Not the best material they could come up with, but still in the championship league of the traditional metalworkers.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on September 6, 2017.

Royal Thunder still brings the traditional stoner/doom approach, but there music is more mainstream focused now. The songs on WICK are the band’s most accessible yet and go a long way to cementing their current sound with the audience. The guitar riffs are still meaty enough even though they carry along the more easy to digest approach. This is music for people that like the psychedelic vibe in their music and it’s a sound that’s unique enough.

The album gets off to a strong start with Burning Tree, one of the more memorable tracks to be found here and continues along a strong path with April Showers, which is an absolute barnburner. It must be mentioned that vocalist Mlny Parsonz does an incredible job on this release too. Her distinctive singing carries these tracks even when they seem to drag a bit. It’s the successful combination between her and the guitar riffs that makes this outfit such a wonder to behold in its cohesive entirety. The songs here are certainly catchy and this is an advantage they have over a straight doom band. There is more of an accessible flair to the tracks that makes one want to replay them in the mind and that is an element I find lacking in many doom releases. It must be said that the album doesn’t really open any doors and those that find Crooked Doors to be the band’s best release may just maintain this position. Despite the inability to move in new directions, the band really makes sure that you know that their formula is fully functioning.

This is one of the most vibrant and passionate albums released so far in 2017 despite the lack of originality. Although the album doesn’t really progress greatly from the last release, it perfects the style that the band is going for. Fans of doom and stoner will find much to enjoy here.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10