New Hammerfall 8/16.

I like the song.

I love the sound but the lyrics are troublesome. I know they’re loosely based around “Paradise Lost”, but still...

Like you said, loosely based around Paradise Lost, but still a little troubling. I tend to not take their lyrics seriously.

HammerFall got me into metal, so I'm still interested.
However, they got more and more into demonic lyrics ever since Joacim Cans got attacked in 2002. I'm having a hard time getting over the lyrics of this title track for instance.
But well, like you implied, they're not exactly a band to take seriously when it comes to lyrics.

It gets worse. On the new album is “Testify”, which has this:

Rattle the cage, time to taunt the cobras
Tell me, what tongue do you speak
And where is your almighty God in great need

Down on your knees (Testify)
Pray your souls to keep (Testify)
Now the wolf's at the gate (Testify)
To seal your true life and fate (Testify)

Be the prophet, the creator
And master your own universe
False crusaders, God's dictators
Reclaim the fate, our freedom, lift the curse

Rattle the cage, waiting for the rapture
Free me, from your tainted deeds
Infected primeval retarded believes

Then, there’s “Dead by Dawn”, which is all about a ouija board and summoning the dead:

The board's on the table
All the candles alive
Time to wake up our senses
Build the bridges to the other side

Take your place in the circle
And keep your eyes shut
Invoking the darkness
Never taunt or goad the spirit world

The circle is solid, unbroken
The first of the wonders outspoken
Tell me when I'm gonna die

You will be dead by dawn
When the bells of hell strike six, six, six
You will be dead by dawn
Say your prayers and grab your crucifix

I’m really disappointed. Musically this sounds really good. I miss anthems about the glories of metal or the Knights Templar. But I want nothing to do with this newer, evil direction.

Whoa, I'm surprised but maybe I'm not. Too bad but on to other stuff.

I remember back in high school (2004ish), when I was first getting into metal, a friend really liked Hammerfall but something about the lyrics back then put me off enough to not want to buy any of their stuff.  I don't remember what it was, but IIRC their lyrics have never been too "Christian friendly."