HammerFall Brings the Freedom World Crusade Tour to a Powerful Close in Seattle
El Corazón — Seattle, Washington | October 8, 2026
Some concert nights are about discovering new music, while others are about reconnecting with the bands that have been part of your life for years. On October 8, Seattle experienced both as Greyhawk, Evergrey, and Swedish power metal legends HammerFall brought an unforgettable night of heavy riffs, powerful vocals, and headbanging energy to El Corazón for the final show of the Freedom World Crusade Tour.
Greyhawk: Seattle Talent with a Powerful Stage Presence
Opening the night was Seattle's own Greyhawk, a band of incredibly talented musicians who immediately brought energy to the stage. The band announced that this was their second tour with vocalist Nick Courtney, whose strong stage presence and natural connection with the audience made it easy for the crowd to bang their heads, sing along, and get involved in the performance.
One of the highlights for me was watching guitarist Jesse Berlin deliver his incredible solos. Heavy metal often comes with a familiar visual image: long hair, leather, and steel-covered outfits. Jesse, however, has a more understated and conservative style that contrasts with the explosive personality he reveals through his guitar playing.
Watching him perform was a reminder that talent has nothing to do with how an artist dresses or whether they fit the traditional image of a metal musician. During his solos, Jesse's expressive movements and tongue-out guitar moments brought a little of that Jimi Hendrix spirit to the stage. His playing was energetic, full of personality, and impressive to watch.
I found that contrast especially interesting. Every artist has their own way of expressing themselves, and there is no single look that defines a metal musician. What matters is the talent, passion, and individuality they bring to their performance. Greyhawk delivered an energetic set and gave the Seattle crowd an excellent start to the evening.
Evergrey: A Discovery Worth Making
The stage was ready for the next band, and this was where the night became a personal discovery for me. I had never listened to Evergrey before—sorry, guys!—but after seeing the Swedish band perform live, I realized what I had been missing.
Their heavy guitar sound, combined with the powerful bass and drums, created an intensity that could be felt throughout the venue. The band's musicianship was impressive, and the crowd responded with continuous headbanging as the music filled El Corazón.
Vocalist Tom Englund was another highlight. His voice was tremendous, powerful, and remarkably controlled. At times, it seemed as though he barely needed a microphone to project his vocals across the room. His tone occasionally reminded me of Paul Stanley's, although with a different, heavier intensity. It wasn't an exact comparison, but there were moments when I could hear a similar character in the way he delivered certain notes.
Beyond his vocal ability, Tom was funny and had an excellent connection with the audience. That combination of musicianship and personality made the performance even more enjoyable. Johan and Stephen also brought an engaging presence to the stage, helping keep the audience moving throughout the set.
There was another important announcement that added an emotional dimension to the performance: Tom shared that this was the last tour with drummer Chris Quirarte. Chris delivered a tremendous performance, with a pounding beat that seemed to hit straight into our chests. Even after the music stopped, it was the kind of drumming you could still feel.
Evergrey turned out to be one of the night's biggest surprises for me. It's a great feeling to walk into a concert unfamiliar with a band and leave wanting to hear more. The supporting bands had done their job exceptionally well, and the crowd was ready for the main attraction.
HammerFall: A Lifetime of Metal Meets the Freedom World Crusade
Then came the moment I had been waiting for. Joacim Cans, Oscar Dronjak, Pontus Norgren, Fredrik Larsson, and David Wallin took the stage, bringing HammerFall's unmistakable Swedish power metal sound to Seattle.
Even before the first notes, the stage setup hinted at what was coming. The drum kit was decorated with chains and a mysterious face mask that brought to mind Jason from Friday the 13th, adding a darker, theatrical touch to the scene. Looking at the setup, we knew we were in for a punch in the chest from the band's powerful riffs and pounding drums.
HammerFall is a band I've listened to since my teenage years, so seeing them live with my camera in hand was more than just another concert assignment. It was a privilege to photograph a band whose music has been part of my life for so long.
Joacim Cans made it clear that the set would include both classic HammerFall songs and newer material, giving longtime fans plenty to look forward to. His sense of humor quickly became part of the show, and he knew exactly how to break the ice with the audience.
At one point, as he introduced Let the Hammer Fall, he spotted someone in the crowd wearing a Sabaton T-shirt. Joacim jokingly pointed out, "This is not Sabaton," prompting laughter from the audience. He then encouraged the crowd to participate in a call-and-response: he would say "Hammer," and everyone was supposed to answer "Fall."
Of course, someone in the crowd got it backward and shouted "Fall Hammer."
Joacim immediately picked up on it, joking that he would have a T-shirt printed with "Fall Hammer" and make sure to give it to that particular fan the next time. The audience burst into laughter. It was a simple, spontaneous moment, but it showed how effortlessly he could connect with the crowd while keeping the atmosphere fun and relaxed.
Oscar Dronjak was another spectacle entirely. His energy on stage was contagious, and one particularly memorable moment came when he tossed his guitar into the air. He also sprayed water from his mouth above himself, adding another theatrical flourish to an already energetic performance. These are the kinds of moments that make photographing live music so exciting: you never know exactly when something unexpected will happen, and you have to be ready to capture it.
From behind the camera, El Corazón's lighting can sometimes be challenging, but HammerFall's stage lighting worked beautifully for photography that night. Between the musicians' movements, the dramatic atmosphere, and the energy coming from the audience, there were plenty of opportunities to capture the band's presence on stage.
One smaller moment also caught my attention. While I was photographing Joacim, someone in the audience held a cellphone so close to his face. Joacim gently lowered the phone himself, making room for the audience to enjoy the show without the device getting in the way.
I appreciated that moment for two reasons. First, it gave me a clear shot without a cellphone interrupting the frame. But more importantly, it reminded me of something worth considering at any concert: we all want to take a memory home with us, and there's nothing wrong with that. Still, sometimes the best way to remember a performance is to put the phone down, be present, and experience it fully.
Let the photographers capture those moments for you while you enjoy being part of them. You might discover that the memory you carry home is even better when you have truly lived it.
A Night to Remember
The final night of the Freedom World Crusade Tour in Seattle was much more than a powerful metal show. Greyhawk brought local talent and fresh energy to the stage. Evergrey introduced me to a band I now have a new appreciation for. And HammerFall delivered the kind of performance that reminds you why certain bands stay with you for a lifetime.
Joacim mentioned that HammerFall would be returning in the future, and I am already looking forward to seeing them again—and again.
As I look back on the night, I can still hear the riffs and feel those powerful drums. The concert may be over, but the energy hasn't entirely left me.
For a fan who has listened to HammerFall since his teenage years, having the opportunity to photograph the band was a privilege I will never forget. Some nights leave you with photographs, others leave you with memories, and the best ones give you both.
Seattle, you witnessed a powerful closing chapter of the Freedom World Crusade Tour. And for me, the only question left is: when can we do it all again?
Setlist: Avange the Fallen / Heading the Call / Any Means Necessary / Hammer of Dawn / Freedom / Renegade / Hammer High / Last Man Standing / Fury of the Wild / Chapter V: The Medley / Let the Hammer Fall / The End Justifies / We Make Sweden Rock / Hail to the King / Hearts on Fire.
