Released 10 years ago
Built to Last
HammerFall · 2016
120 min · 24 tracks · heavy metal
Anthemic power metal riffs intertwine with soaring vocals, delivering a triumphant sound that embodies the spirit of classic heavy metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bring It! Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Hammer High — This track exemplifies the album's high-energy spirit with its empowering lyrics and infectious chorus, making it a standout anthem for fans.
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Built to Last — The title track encapsulates the album's core themes of resilience and perseverance, featuring memorable melodies and powerful instrumentation.
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Dethrone and Defy — With its aggressive riffs and dynamic shifts, this song showcases HammerFall's ability to blend melody with intensity, reflecting their heavy metal roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic riffs with nostalgic elements, appealing to both new listeners and longtime fans.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent high-energy tempo, while the second half introduces slower ballads and instrumental interludes.
- Several tracks feature dual guitar harmonies that are characteristic of classic heavy metal, particularly in the choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with peaks
- triumphant anthems for celebration
- wave-like pacing for engagement
- for energetic workouts
- sing-along choruses with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer shorter, standalone tracks
- seek subtle, quiet moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and commercial success in their later career.
- Career context
- Released on November 4, 2016, Built to Last is HammerFall's tenth studio album, following their 2014 release, (r)Evolution. At this stage in their career, HammerFall was celebrating over two decades of influence in the power metal scene, continuing to refine their signature sound while appealing to both longtime fans and newer audiences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Blind Guardian· Helloween· DragonForce
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Bring It! Start here 4:20
- 2 Hammer High 4:39
- 3 The Sacred Vow 4:13
- 4 Dethrone and Defy 5:11
- 5 Twilight Princess 5:05
- 6 Stormbreaker 4:53
- 7 Built to Last 3:54
- 8 The Star of Home 4:48
- 9 New Breed 5:03
- 10 Second to None 5:30
Disc 2
- 1 Hector’s Hymn 7:14
- 2 Any Means Necessary 3:41
- 3 Renegade 4:29
- 4 B.Y.H. 4:56
- 5 Blood Bound 4:46
- 6 Let the Hammer Fall 7:22
- 7 Live Life Loud 3:35
- 8 Guitar Solo: Pontus Norgren 1:08
- 9 400 M Medley 6:08
- 10 Threshold 5:27
- 11 Last Man Standing 4:13
- 12 HammerFall 8:01
- 13 Bushido 5:46
- 14 Hearts on Fire 6:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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