Founded in 1993, Gothenburg's HAMMERFALL made a truly startling impact with their 1997 debut album 'Glory To The Brave'. Unashamedly harking back to prime time traditional Metal and including a rousing cover of WARLORD's 'Child Of The Damned', the Scandinavian's astute notion of what the European Metal scene was waiting for was amply rewarded. The debut album crashed straight into the German national charts selling over 100,000 copies in the process, surprising even their record company. This massive impact completely turned the continent's Rock scene on its head, triggering the onset of legions of Power Metal bands from all over the globe.

The band began purely as an extracurricular activity by various members of Swedish Death Metal bands. Ex-CEREMONIAL OATH drummer and IN FLAMES credited Jesper Strömblad and guitarist Oscar Dronjac created HAMMERFALL as a leisure pursuit away from their then fulltime acts, Dronjac in CRYSTAL AGE and Jesper Strömblad with IN FLAMES. Dronjac had also been a member of Black / Thrash act DESECRATOR, having released the 1989 demo cassette 'Wake The Dead' and a 1990, three song demo 'Black Sermons'. The founding HAMMERFALL line-up was completed by DARK TRANQUILLITY vocalist Mikael Stanne, IN FLAMES bassist Johan Larsson and DARK TRANQUILLITY guitarist Niklas Sundin.

HAMMERFALL made an auspicious debut covering PRETTY MAIDS' 'Red Hot And Heavy' at 'Rockslaget', a local band competition in 1994. With HAMMERFALL drawing themselves up to the semi-finals by 1996 the band became more of a solid unit as Stanne bowed out of the show due to tour commitments with DARK TRANQUILLITY. Soon locating a new frontman, LUCIFERION and HIGHLANDER vocalist singer Joacim Cans was drafted. Sundin too bowed out, his place taken by Glenn Ljungström from IN FLAMES and DIMENSION ZERO.

HAMMERFALL now found themselves the subject of recording contract offers and various band members were now forced into making the decision to stay or concentrate on their other bands. Guitarist Glenn Ljungström was superseded by Stefan Elmgren and bassist Fredrik Larsson returned to NONE. His position was taken by BILLIONAIRES BOYS CLUB and KEEGAN man Magnus Rosén. 1997 also saw the introduction of drummer Patrik Räfling. Although a quintet, HAMMERFALL were not shy in admitting that a sixth member, in the form of Jesper Strömblad, also laid down drums on the debut and assisted in the writing process and the Swedes signed to a small independent Dutch label Vic Records on the back of a live tape. The album budget was minimal, but the final tapes got to the ears of Markus Staiger, head of German imprint Nuclear Blast. His enthusiasm for HAMMERFALL saw the entire project being eventually bought out by his label. Needless to say, original Vic Records variants of the debut HAMMERFALL album are now highly prized.

The Rock media was quick to take the band to their hearts and the group's debut album, 'Glory To The Brave', gained 'Album of the month' award in Germany's biggest Metal magazine 'Rock Hard', capping it all by receiving an endorsement of maximum marks in 'Metal Hammer'. Included would be the band's homage to WARLORD with their interpretation of 'Child Of The Damned' and the Peter Stålfors co-penned power ballad 'I Believe'. 'Glory To The Brave' was a no frills, speed inclined power metal album, loaded with hackneyed fantasy lyrical content, obligatory sing-a-long anthems and chock full of hooky riffs and guitar solos. With not an ounce of pretension in sight, personified by their 'Hector' warrior album sleeve mascot, this faithful offering captivated a metal generation. The record shot straight into the national German chart listings, peaking at number 34 in June 1997, this spectacular debut completely catching both the band and their label unawares.

Nuclear Blast also released a limited edition vinyl version of the album in razorsaw shape, restricted to a mere 500 copies. However, not all went well on the release front as a single of 'Glory To The Brave' mistakenly included a rough mix live version of 'The Metal Age' instead of the planned 'I Believe'. The band were furious and duly vented their anger in the press. The original single is now a sought after rarity as from the second pressing the necessary correction was made.

To support the record HAMMERFALL toured in Germany mid position on a bill including veterans TANK and RAVEN consistently stealing the headliner's crowds. Further touring ensued as guests to GAMMA RAY and JAG PANZER in September 1997. HAMMERFALL kept up their tradition of traditional Metal on these dates by including the STORMWITCH song 'Ravenlord' in their set, and were honoured to be joined by former STORMWITCH vocalist Andy Muck during their set at the 'Bang Your Head II' festival in southern Germany.

A second single, 'Heeding The Call' issued in August 1998, featured a take on PICTURE's 'Eternal Dreamer' alongside three live tracks. The sophomore album 'Legacy Of Kings', launched in September and once more utilising the writing services of Jesper Strömblad, also fared well, hitting number 15 in both Germany and Sweden. Still intent on honouring their 80s heroes, 'Legacy Of Kings' sported 'Back To Back', originally by Danish outfit PRETTY MAIDS. The band stuck to a winning formula for their second effort, bolstering the muscular content with a more solid production. In Europe HAMMERFALL took to the festival scene with gusto appearing at the Dutch 'Dynamo' event, Germanys 'Rock Hard' and 'With Full Force' festivals, Italy's 'Monsters Of Rock' and Austria's 'Mind Over Matter' as well as the 'Karlshamm' outdoor gig in their homeland.

During 1999 HAMMERFALL made a significant change to the line-up, pulling in the esteemed figure of ANDERS JOHANSSON as their new drummer. Johansson's prior experience included terms with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KEEGAN and SILVER MOUNTAIN, as well as issuing two solo albums, 'Shu-Tka' in 1993 and 'Red Shift' in 1997. The world tour took HAMMERFALL on a global expedition which included their debut American, Japanese and South American shows. However, the band suffered a major tragedy in 1999 when tour manager Lelle Hildebrandt disappeared and was presumed murdered.

A significant single release came in August 1999, 'I Want Out' headed up by a HELLOWEEN cover version, enhanced by studio friends former ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider and GAMMA RAY guitarist Kai Hansen, the record also featuring a take on RAINBOW's 'Man On The Silver Mountain' with guests RUNNING WILD drummer AC and Kai Hansen once again. A new original, 'At The End Of The Rainbow' found inclusion for WARLORD guitarist William J. Tsamis. This single charted in both Germany and Sweden.

HAMMERFALL recorded their third album, October 2000's 'Renegade', with producer Michael Wagener in America. The launch party, held in Gothenburg during September, saw the band joined onstage at various intervals by RUNNING WILD drummer A.C., MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee and erstwhile ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider. The evening rounded off with a rendition of JUDAS PRIEST's seminal 'Breaking The Law' with the band members swapping instruments.

HAMMERFALL bounced back in spectacular fashion debuting at number 1 in Sweden with 'Renegade' and also charting high in Germany. The accompanying 'Renegade' single would also crack the charts open and offer fans a cover version of HEAVY LOAD's 'Run With The Devil', doubly honouring the original by drafting the Wahlqvist brothers in for backing vocals. Touring in Europe saw HAMMERFALL headlining with guests VIRGIN STEELE and FREEDOM CALL.

During the summer of 2001 HAMMERFALL offered up their rendition of New York 80's Glamsters TWISTED SISTER's 'We're Gonna Make It' to the tribute album 'Twisted And Strange'. News also emerged that Cans was forming a pivotal part of the WARLORD resurrection project acting as frontman alongside original members Thunderchild and Destroyer.

Elmgren would partake in outside activities too forging the melodic Metal band FULL STRIKE in the latter half of 2001. Joining Elmgren on the FULL STRIKE venture would be erstwhile LOST HORIZON singer Niclas Johnsson, ex-CRAWLEY bassist Chris Savage Goldsmith and FREAK KITCHEN drummer Björn Fryklund. HAMMERFALL bassist Magnus Rosén would not be idle either, forging an 'all star' Metal project by the name of EXECUTION fronted by Renato Tribuzy of Brazilian Power Metal band THOTEN.

Another act of interest to HAMMERFALL fans would be DREAM EVIL, debuting with the 2002 'Dragonslayer' album. Fronted by Niklas Isfeldt the group witnessed a union of guitarist Fredrik Nordström, MYSTIC PROPHECY and FIREWIND guitarist Gus G., bassist Peter Stålfors and drummer Snowy Shaw. The latter of course a veteran of the Scandinavian Metal scene noted for his work with MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND, MEMENTO MORI and NOTRE DAME. Isfeldt, Nordström and Stålfors would all boast strong HAMMERFALL connections. Isfeldt having acted as studio backing vocalist, Nordström as HAMMERFALL's producer and Stålfors as song writer.

Upon announcement of Stefan Elmgren's May 2002 FULL STRIKE debut album 'We Will Rise' through the Spitfire label it also revealed that the drum position had been taken by a former HAMMERFALL compatriot Patrik Räfling and that LOST HORIZON's Fredrik Olsson would augment the band for live work. FULL STRIKE debuted live in Gothenburg on April 19th.

HAMMERFALL themselves would progress on their new album throughout the Spring and early summer. Recorded entirely digitally at HELLOWEEN vocalist ANDI DERIS's studio in Tenerife, the record would be produced by Charlie Bauerfiend. A cover version of CHASTAIN's 'Angel Of Mercy' would be laid down during this time. With the sessions finalized ANDERS JOHANSSON made time to session on Christian Metal band NARNIA's 2002 album 'The Great Fall'. Japanese versions of 'Crimson Thunder', issued by the JVC Victor label, added three extra tracks in 'Crazy Nights' and live versions of 'Renegade' and 'Hammerfall'. The USA variant added a rendition of the KISS classic 'Detroit Rock City'.

The band's momentum would be halted though with a vicious attack on HAMMERFALL frontman Joacim Cans just days before a scheduled video shoot for the single 'Hearts On Fire'. Cans was assaulted by a Black Metal fan with a beer glass at a bar in the group's hometown of Gothenburg on August 10th sustaining an injury around his right eye which required 25 stitches to close. On a more positive note, 'Hearts On Fire' debuted at number 11 in Sweden.

In October 'Crimson Thunder' gave HAMMERFALL their highest chart position in Germany to date, debuting at number 13, and performed commendably in Sweden, reaching number 3. Various limited editions also saw issue to entice fans, including a version packaged with a free comic book and an additional track, a cover of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's 'Rising Force', and a further, restricted to 1000 copies, packaged with two extra 3" MCD's hosting renditions of 'Crazy Night's originally by LOUDNESS and KISS' 'Detroit Rock City'.

HAMMERFALL would be revealed to be acting as support act to DIO on the Rock veteran's November North American dates. A sustained bout of touring throughout Europe in January and February found MASTERPLAN as special guests. Opening acts would be fellow Swedes NOSTRADAMEUS for the first leg of the tour then DREAM EVIL took over this position. The band, in union with NOCTURNAL RITES, lined up co-headline dates in Japan for March of 2003 upfront of gigs across Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico in May. An interesting diversion saw HAMMERFALL participating as celebrity contestants in the popular Swedish TV game show 'Fångarna'.

The band suffered a casualty both personally and financially when on 10th August guitarist Oscar Dronjak was involved in a motorbike crash, fracturing his left arm. HAMMERFALL's Summer dates, including the Sweden's 'Malmöfestivalen' event and UK 'Bloodstock' festival, were all postponed as a result. Magnus Rosén took time out from the HAMMERFALL schedule to lay down bass on MASTERPLAN vocalist JORN LANDE's solo album 'Out To Every Nation'.

The band's October 2003 live album 'One Crimson Night' soon found the band back in the charts but another reminder of their touring past would not be so welcome. According to reports in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, allegations were made that an individual had stolen over $30,000 of US tour receipts and merchandise money. In addition Joacim Cans claimed this person, hired by the band, stole "drums, the amplifiers, and all the other rental equipment".

In more encouraging news for HAMMERFALL fans Cans announced the prospect of a solo album going by the project title of CANS, confirming he was in collusion with DIONYSUS and ex-SINERGY drummer Ronny Milianowicz for these recordings. Indeed, the pair had been working together on an epic concept piece entitled 'The Conspiracy' for the preceding four years. Featured guest would be the HALFORD and PAINMUSEUM guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak and HAMMERFALL's own Stefan Elmgren. The singer would also donate lyrics to the track 'Bringer Of War' featured on the 2004 DIONYSUS album 'Anima Mundi'.

Dronjak and Cans closed out the year performing at an epic anniversary bash for the renowned Rockfabrik Rock club in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The duo performed HAMMERFALL songs 'At The End Of The Rainbow', 'Hearts On Fire' and 'Hammerfall' utilising GODIVA's Mitch Koontz and PRIMAL FEAR's Tom Naumann as backing musicians.

Anders Johansson joined STRATOVARIUS alongside his brother Jens in January of 2004 but quit within a week to concentrate on HAMMERFALL. Meantime the CANS project would be confirmed for an appearance at the 'Sweden Rock' festival, his HAMMERFALL colleague Stefan Elmgren joining him for the occasion. Joacim Cans was set to guest on a cover version of ACCEPT's 'Balls To The Wall', included as a bonus track on the May 2004 album 'Divinity' from Finnish act ALTARIA. However, an illness saw Cans backing out at the eleventh hour.

To mark the release of the CANS 'Beyond The Gates' album the singer held a launch party on May 8th at the Metallterrassen Club in Gothenburg. With Cans acting as DJ for the evening an all star band dubbed the METAL MONARCHS, featuring HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak, provided the live entertainment.

HAMMERFALL reconvened at a studio in Denmark producer Charlie Bauerfiend in September to craft a new album, 'Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken', for March 2005 issue, crafting a hi-tech video for the track 'Blood Bound' with director Roger Johansson. Acting as special guest on the album would be VENOM frontman Cronos. Magnus Rosén also put in studio time laying down bass on AOR studio project HEARTBREAK RADIO.

At this same juncture, Rosén announced the issue of a new solo album entitled 'Arose' and dates in South America during October, utilising DESTINY drummer Birger Löfman, to back it up. These gigs would be revealed as a non profit operation, Rosén donating all proceeds to homeless children. Indeed, the musicians benevolent streak would be evidenced by the fact that on the previous HAMMERFALL South American tour he had given his entire proceeds to put one woman through school for a year.

The omens for 2005 looked good as the 'Bound Blood' single entered the Swedish charts at an impressive number 5. European and Scandinavian gigs in April, dubbed the 'Icebreaker' tour, would see FIREWIND, THUNDERSTONE and Finnish "Monster Metal" band LORDI as support act. Veteran Danish act PRETTY MAIDS also opened at Gothenburg's Scandinavium venue on 30th April. That same month HAMMERFALL reaped enormous domestic exposure by covering the Schlager tune 'Vindarna Viskar Mitt Namn' live on Swedish television. Stefan Elmgren also made time to guest on NOCTURNAL RITES album 'Grand Illusion'.

Continued gigging through May and June saw Japanese gigs, South American shows, including supports to TWISTED SISTER in the Brazilian cities of São Paolo and Belo Horizonte, then US gigs in August allied with EDGUY and Canadians INTO ETERNITY. A lengthy European tour in October through to early December had HAMMERFALL sharing stages with STRATOVARIUS taking in Finland, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Holland, France, UK, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Austria and Hungary.

Magnus Rosén extended his musical reach further beyond the realms of Heavy Metal by collaborating with the Gothenburg Symphonic Orchestra under the "Respekt" banner for 15 shows at the Concert Hall in Gothenburg in September 2006. Both Rosén and Anders Johansson would also feature prominently on the 2006 PLANET ALLIANCE album project mentored by guitarist Magnus Karlsson of LAST TRIBE, MIDNIGHT SUN and STARBREAKER and CLOUDSCAPE vocalist Mike Andersson.

In January 2006 HAMMERFALL gave their backing to the national Swedish womens curling team by filming a video for their 2002 track 'Hearts On Fire'. Used by the athletes as their theme tune during the Winter Olympics held in Turin. The song was re-released as a single to coincide, with exposure being given a boost when the curlers won the gold medal.

Unveiled in spring 2006, Anders Johansson involved himself with GEFF, the Hard Rock construct of singer Göran Edman, noted for a wealth of credits fronting the YNGWIE MALMSTEEN band, CROSSFADE, MADISON, KHARMA, XSAVIOR and GLORY amongst others, together with guitarist Ralf Jedestedt and former SILVER MOUNTAIN and SNAKE CHARMER bass player Pär Stadin.

HAMMERFALL continued the successful sporting theme by shooting a video in June to coincide with the 19th European Athletics Championships, held in Gothenburg in August. Band members shot footage alongside Swedish athletes Robert Kronberg, 110 m hurdles, Alhaji Jeng, pole vault, Johan Wissman, 200 metres and Kajsa Bergqvist, the high jump world record holder.

That same month HAMMERFALL's ties to the sports world were strengthened further when the song 'Glorious', celebrating the 2006 World Cup football tournament, hit the Swedish charts at number 7. Co-composed by Joacim Cans and featuring Oscar Dronjak, alongside a multitude of other Metal musicians, the song, credited to MIKEYLA FEAT THE METAL FORCES was fronted by 19 year old female Rocker MIKEYLA.

Anders Johansson contributed session drums on OVERDRIVE and LOCOMOTIVE BREATH guitarist Janne Stark's November 2006 MOUNTAIN OF POWER tribute collection.

HAMMERFALL debuted new song 'The Fire Burns Forever' on August 5th at their headlining show at the 'Gates Of Metal' festival in Hultsfred, Sweden. The follow up 'Natural High' single entered the Swedish charts at number 6 in late September. The 'Threshold' album arrived on October 20th claiming the Swedish number one spot. Japanese versions on the Avalon Marquee label hosted two extra live tracks, 'The Fire Burns Forever' and 'Raise The Hammer'.

December 2nd 2006 saw Oscar Dronjak forming up a one off "all-star" Metal band assembled for a 'Sweden Rock' concert at Stockholm's Nalen venue. Joining him for this performance, headed up by ACCEPT and U.D.O. singer Udo Dirkschneider, would be guitarists Ryan Roxie, of the ALICE COOPER band, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and ELECTRIC ANGELS, Janne Stark of OVERDRIVE, LOCOMOTIVE BREATH and MOUNTAIN OF POWER, Mia Coldheart of CRUCIFIED BARBARA, bass player Nalle Påhlsson of TREAT and ZAN CLAN plus EUROPE drummer Ian Haugland.

Also in December 2006 it was revealed that bassist Magnus Rosén had teamed up with KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque, TIN MACHINE guitarist Reeves Gabrels and PAGAN'S MIND vocalist Nils K.Rue in a new new project called X-WORLD/5. Drums were handled by the mysterious 'Big Swede'.

HAMMERFALL extended their contract with Nuclear Blast Records for another six albums. The signing took place on January 31st 2007 just before the band's concert at the Filharmonie in Filderstadt, Germany. European headline dates in February witnessed strong support from Swiss veterans KROKUS.

Longstanding bassist Magnus Rosén unexpectedly closed a ten year tenure with the band in early March, stating "it's time for me to be more creative in my career." Former bassist Fredrik Larsson rejoined in mid April.

On June 27th 2008 two HAMMERFALL releases emerged, a covers CD collection, comprising all of all the cover versions recorded by HAMMERFALL to date plus three newly recorded tracks, and a DVD chronicling the band's career between 2002 and 2007 billed 'Rebels With A Cause - Unruly, Unrestrained, Uninhibited'. New songs featured on the 'Masterpieces' album were RIOT's 'Flight Of The Warrior', SKID ROW's 'Youth Gone Wild' and 'Aphasia', originally by EUROPE. The DVD hosted promotional videos, televised performances of 'Blood Bound' on 'Trackslistan' and 'Lanz i P3', 'När Vindarna Viskar Mitt Namn' on 'Alla Tiders Melodifestival', 'The Fire Burns Forever' at the European Athletics Championships 2006 and Rundgång SVT. Live material was filmed at the Filharmonie venue in Filderstadt, Germany, on April 22nd 2005 and Collage Scandinavium in Gothenburg on April 30th 2005.

Assembled during late 2008, Swedish melodic metal project FULL FORCE was a project with strong HAMMERFALL connections, comprising Stefan Elmgren, Magnus Rosén, Anders Johansson plus Mike Andersson, of CLOUDSCAPE, SILENT MEMORIAL and PLANET ALLIANCE, on vocals and Carl-Johan Grimmark, of NARNIA, on guitar.

HAMMERFALL's eighth album, 'No Sacrifice, No Victory' recorded in part at Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, saw release in February 2009. This set featured a cover version of THE KNACK's 'My Sharona'.A video for the song 'Any Means Necessary' was shot in Belgrade, Serbia. 'No Sacrifice, No Victory' registered first-week chart positions at no.2 in Sweden, no. 7 in Germany, no. 20 in Switzerland, no. 25 in Austria, no. 46 in Norway and no. 95 in France.

The band played the THIN LIZZY, SAXON, UFO, MOTÖRHEAD and HEAVEN AND HELL headlined August 2009 'Wacken Open Air' festival in Germany.