'Hammerfall's' sixth studio release 'Threshold' is a suspiciously quick follow-up to the below par 'Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken', maybe the fans weren't the only ones who thought it was a little disappointing? Thankfully 'Threshold' is an improvement, nothing staggering, but there's definitely more edge to this release, ultimately it's all fairly safe and as such is a little unimaginative at times, but on a brighter note its heavier and less commercial than it's predecessor.

'Threshold' opens strongly with a couple of quality rockers, the first, the title track commences with an eerie brooding intro, but soon changes direction into a hearty pulsating affair, the driving rhythm and gutsy lyrics are the highlight, although 'Stephan Elmgren's' solo is also pretty tasty. Ensuing just as strongly is 'The Fire Burns Forever', which features a cracking chorus that's superbly sung by 'Joacim Cans' and further enhanced by fitting backing vocals, musically it's all fairly simplistic, but ultimately very effective. Not quite so impressive is 'Rebel Inside' a mid tempo number that at times is slightly reminiscent of 'Judas Priest', mainly due to 'Can's different vocal approach, regrettably though it all comes across tediously and although not a poor track, there's better to be heard on this album. Back to form is 'Natural High', which was picked for single release and it doesn't disappoint, it's brisk and comes complete with smoking solos from 'Stephan Elmgren' and 'Oscar Dronjak'. The momentum falls for the balladsy 'Dark Wings, Dark Words', which initially sounds very like 'Stratovarius' and overall has that big epic feel, personally I think it's a little tiresome, whilst the droning backing vocals add very little. Improvements are quickly made with the more straightforward 'Howlin' with the 'Pac', which manages to creep into '.U.D.O.' territory, especially lyrically, all said unremarkable and pretty safe, but still a hearty listen. Ensuing in a similar vein is 'Shadow Empire' and what I've just said for the previous track applies here, regrettably the overdone chorus takes the edge off. Even more unimpressive is 'Carved in Stone' and to be frank how can a Power Metal band get a song with a title like this wrong? Well 'Hammerfall' have, boring overlong intro, sluggish plod and one of the worst choruses you will hear this year! Thankfully a good track and surprisingly it's an instrumental, nicely called 'Reign of the Hammer', superb guitars and rhythm- this is what they should be doing more off! Moving into 'Yngwie Malmsteen' territory is the neo-classical intro of 'Genocide', another good Power Metal stable, brisker than 'Hammerfall's' normal comfort zone, but it works well, 'Joachim Cans' vocals are sharp and he is well supported throughout. The album bows out with 'Titan' and this time around the intro and riffs are borrowed from 'Accept' / .U.D.O., overlooking this it's another respectable cut, but again is let down by some dubious lyrics and yet another blatantly poor chorus.

Definitely a superior release to 'Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken', but something's still missing and to be blunt there are a lot of Power Metals bands out there who are consistently churning out better material than present 'Hammerfall'.