San Francisco's Hammers of Misfortune, currently one of the most praised acts in the metal underground, have tapped into something timeless, unique, and masterful since their inception in 2000. Their mix of traditional metal with NWOBHM, classic and obscure prog, '70s rock, and Broadway musical and theatrical elements has won the band critical acclaim for their three milestone releases, the Bastard, the August Engine, and the Locust Years.