Hammerfall

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weden's Hammerfall and their debut album Glory to the Brave (1997) under the membership of Joacim Cans (vocals), Oscar Dronjak (guitars/backing vocals), Glenn Ljungstrom (guitars), Fredrik Larsson (bass/backing vocals) and Jesper Stromblad (drums) achieved many accolades. Although not the first band to be influenced by Helloween, they were nevertheless a major influence to similar European bands since. Although critics complain that this band have stagnated in creativity over the past few years they have, nevertheless, remained popular in Europe.

Although founded in 1993, the band suffered a slow start. After quitting Ceremonial Oath, Oscar Dronjak and Jesper Strömblad formed HammerFall with the founding membership of Niklas Sundin and Mikael Stanne, both of whom are members of Dark Tranquillity. However, because they were all involved in other bands, HammerFall was relegated as a side-project for several years. It wasn't until 1996 when HammerFall reached the semi-finals of Rockslaget and then a contract in 1997 with German label 'Nuclear Blast' that this side project moved into the forefront with the launch of the aforementioned debut album.

Their follow-up, Legacy of Kings (1998) saw Patrik Räfling taking over drums, Stefan Elmgren taking over from Ljungstrom, Magnus Rosén taking over from Larsson. Anders Johansson took over from Räfling for Renegade (2000), Crimson Thunder (2002) and the 2CD live One Crimson Night (2003).