March 15 — Veteran power metal band Hammerfall debuted the video for the remixed and remastered take of its classic song, ‘Riders of the Storm’ Wednesday.
The updated mix is featured in the forthcoming re-issue of the band’s 2002 album, Crimson Thunder, which is scheduled for release April 28 through Nuclear Blast Records. The new video is essentially a lyric video, and a unique one at that. It presents the song’s lyrics over a series of frames, with the whole meant to look like a comic book. The song is played over the visualization.
Front man Joacim cans talked about ‘Riders of the Storm’ in a prepared statement.
“This mid tempo, riff based song instantly became a live hit for both the band and the fans,” Cans said. “I just love it when the crowd starts to jump in the beginning when the beat kicks in! Even though the lyrical theme is a bit on the dystopian side there is a positive vibe and energy, with a feeling of hope, within the music. A feeling of hope that eventually also can be found in the lyrics.”
According to information provided in a news release announcing the video’s premiere, the visualization is not unintentional. The cells over which the lyrics are presented are taken directly from the Crimson Thunder comic book that comes with the re-issue’s vinyl release.
Crimson Thunder will be available on a 3 CD digipack set, as well as separate 2 LP trifold silver vinyl, 2 LP trifold marbled red/black vinyl and 2 LP trifold marbled blue/white/black vinyl pressings.
Guitarist Oscar Dronjack said recently, the forthcoming re-issue of Crimson Thunder will offer a variety of extras for audiences in each of its platforms.
”There is a lot to look forward to with this release even if you’re a die hard Templar with everything already in your collection: brand new album remix by Fredrik Nordström, never-before heard preproduction bonus tracks, exclusive acoustic live versions, this anniversary edition is packed with unique stuff that sees the light of day for the first time,” Dronjack said. “This is our biggest anniversary edition yet!”
In other news, Hammerfall recently announced a new slate of live European and North American dates in support of its latest album, Hammer of Dawn, which was released in 2022 through Napalm Records. The European leg of the band’s upcoming tour is scheduled to launch March 24 in Orebro, Sweden and to run through May 6 in Hamburg, Germany. It also features performances scheduled in Kalmar, Sweden; Huskvarna, Sweden and Bochum, Germany.
The North American leg of the band’s upcoming tour is scheduled to launch May 12 in Houston, TX and to run through June 4 in Roseville, CA. The tour includes dates scheduled in Royal Oak, MI; Denver, CO and Columbus, OH.
A handful of festival shows are also on the band’s schedule in June, July and August. The tour’s schedule is noted below.
Check out the tour dates here!
Europe:
24.03.23 SE Örebro – Frimis Salonger
25.03.23 SE Karlstad – Nöjesfabriken
31.03.23 SE Skövde – Skövde Kulturhus
01.04.23 SE Huskvarna – Folkets Park
14.04.23 SE Sundsvall – Club Deströyer
15.04.23 SE Umeå – Nolia
20.04.23 SE Malmö – Kulturbolaget
21.04.23 SE Kalmar – Kalmar Salen
22.04.23 SE Sälen – Högfjällshotellet
27.04.23 SE Stockholm – Cirkus
05.05.23 DE Bochum – RuhrCongress *with Helloween
06.05.23 DE Hamburg – Sporthalle *with Helloween
US Tour
12.05.23 US Houston, TX – Wharehouse Live
13.05.23 US Dallas, TX – The Factory
15.05.23 US Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
16.05.23 US St Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
18.0523 US Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
19.05.23 US Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
20.05.23 US New York City, NY – Terminal 5
21.05.23 US Worcester, MA – Palladium
22.05.23 CAN Montreal, QC – Théâtre Fairmount
23.05.23 CAN Toronto, ON – History
24.05.23 US Royal Oak, MI – Music Theatre
25.05.23 US Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
26.05.23 US Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
27.05.23 US Minneapolis, MN – Fillmore
28.05.23 US Lawrence, KS – The Granada
30.05.23 US Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
31.05.23 US Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
01.06.23 US Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl
02.06.23 US Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater
03.06.23 US San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
04.06.23 US Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
Festivals:
24.06.23 NO Oslo – Tons Of Rock
15.07.23 AU Leoben – Area 53 Festival
12.08.23 ES Villena – Leyendas Del Rock
16.-19.08.23 DE Dinkelsbuehl – SummerBreeze
17.-19.08.23 CZ -Moravsky Krumlov-Castle Garden – Rock Castle
More information on Hammerfall’s forthcoming album re-issue and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://www.hammerfall.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hammerfall
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hammerfall
