What does Infected sound like?

A thunderous blend of heavy riffs and soaring melodies that encapsulate the essence of modern power metal. Rooted in heavy metal and power metal. Start with "Patient Zero".

Is Infected a good place to start with HammerFall?

Yes, Infected is recommended as a starting point for new HammerFall listeners. A thunderous blend of heavy riffs and soaring melodies that encapsulate the essence of modern power metal. Released in 2011, Infected is HammerFall's seventh studio album, arriving five years after their previous release, Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken. The band was reestablishing its presence in the heavy metal scene after a brief hiatus and lineup changes, aiming to recapture their earlier glory while exploring new themes and sounds.

Infected works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long, immersive listening sessions and steady, consistent energy levels.

How many songs are on Infected?

Infected has 11 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Infected

HammerFall · 2011

51 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal

A thunderous blend of heavy riffs and soaring melodies that encapsulate the essence of modern power metal.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Patient Zero Start here — The opening track sets a relentless pace for the album with its driving beat and powerful chorus, showcasing HammerFall's signature sound while introducing listeners to the thematic elements of infection and resilience.
→
I Refuse — This track stands out for its anthemic chorus and motivational lyrics, embodying themes of defiance and strength that resonate throughout the album.
→
Redemption — Closing the album on a reflective note, this song combines melodic introspection with powerful instrumentation, highlighting HammerFall's ability to balance aggression with emotion.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album showcases energetic performances and solid production but lacks standout compositions that elevate it further.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature rapid tempos and aggressive guitar riffs, establishing a high-energy opening.
Several songs incorporate thematic elements from horror and fantasy, such as 'Dia de los muertos' and 'Immortalized', enhancing the lyrical content.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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 emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
steady, consistent energy levels
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in their sound after a five-year gap.
Career context: Released in 2011, Infected is HammerFall's seventh studio album, arriving five years after their previous release, Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken. The band was reestablishing its presence in the heavy metal scene after a brief hiatus and lineup changes, aiming to recapture their earlier glory while exploring new themes and sounds.
Stylistic neighbors: Blind Guardian· Helloween· DragonForce