Heavy Metal Meets History
Reviewing Sabaton's 10th Studio Album
Group: Sabaton
Genre: Heavy Metal
Personnel: Joakim Brodén (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Pär Sundström (Bassist/Backup Vocals), Chris Rörland (Lead Guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (Drums), Tommy Johansson (Guitar/Backup Vocals)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heavy Metal Meets History
It is not a secret that Sabaton is one of my favorite groups of all time, but let’s be real here. Is it any wonder they are? Not really when you think about it, considering they are heavy metal and sing about historical events. If anyone knows me, they know I love music, history, vinyl, and a good beverage (my wife is number one of course). Hence why this blog was created, it checks off three boxes for me and now I can check off the fourth: History.
Sabaton is based out of Sweden and to be honest up until a few years ago I had never heard of them or their music. I stumbled across them while on Facebook on one of the history groups I am part of. I kept seeing this Swedish metal group popping up and people kept saying they sang a song about this historical event on many posts. At first I was like you can’t be metal and sing about history, but I was wrong. Very wrong actually, and I will fully admit I was more upset I had not discovered their music earlier. Alas, I have fully redeemed myself and listen to this group quite regularly on many platforms more often than vinyl (which are extremely hard to find since they are usually uber expensive imports).
All things aside, let’s dig into some of the headline tracks from Sabaton’s latest release, The War to End All Wars.
Setting The Stage
The War to End All Wars is Sabaton’s 10th studio album put together through the Covid-19 quarantine and is a sequel to their previous album, The Great War. Both albums focus on a specific point in history, WW1.
Let me be clear before you think, ‘they probably just glorify war and bloody battles’. They do not glorify war but instead sing verses of praise dedicated to heroes or heroines that defied odds to fight for peace as well as pivotal historical events that changed history.
Now that the stage is set are you ready for a heavy metal shredfest that is going to blow away your auditory sense and change everything you think about Heavy Metal?
Heavy Metal Shredding Rips Through the Trenches
The album starts off with a fast paced speed metal riff from guitarists, Tommy Johansson and Chris Rörland. It is a perfect fit for the opening song, Stormtroopers. This song’s guitar work are second to none but what really stands on this song are the deep haunting chanting in the background between the guitars and powerful voice of frontman Joakim Brodén. This song completely enthralls the user and beckons them to continue their journey on the album.
Next up is one of my favorite tracks on the album, The Unkillable Solider. This story of the hero in this track deserves his own blog article. For the sake of brevity and backstory to accompany this badass song, it is about Adrian Carton De Wiart. De Wiart was a British solider who was wounded over 11 times in his military career that spanned over 35 years which included the loss of fingers, an eye, and a piece of his ear. Equally badass are the lyrics, tempo, and instrumental work on this song. It easily ranks up there with my other favorite Sabaton songs.
At the halfway point of this wonderful album we are introduced to one of the most storied units in American history, the 369th Infantry Regiment. This unit was one of the hardest fighting units in the war that also spent the most time on frontline (181 days in a row). The injustice is that this regiment, which was comprised of all African Americans, was placed under French command as racism reared its ugly head as many of their own fellow countrymen refused to fight alongside them. For their courage and tenacity they were aptly named by the German army, the Harlem Hellfighters. Hellfighters begins with a kick ass drum solo and takes its place as the heaviest song on the album. The deep vocals shine here as the song explains the story of these brave men. In addition to the vocals the rhythm, pacing, and beat of the song matches Joakim’s voice perfectly.
How does one follow up and keep your heart pounding as we run through the trenches from the eyes of both sides of the conflict? We get introduced to the song, Lady of the Dark. This song is the story of a woman named Milunka Savić. What makes her a hero you ask? She took the place of her brother at the frontlines and after being wounded she was told she would no longer be able to serve, but in true badass fashion she went to her commanding officer and demanded to continue her service with her regiment. That being said this song opens with the best drum solo in the album in my opinion as well as the best cadence and vocal work by Joakim on the album. His voice tells the story no one else in metal could and that’s what sets apart Sabaton from other groups. As he tells her story the guitarists do some of their best work shredding riffs to keep pace with the excellent drum work.
Rounding out this album is the best song on the album and probably in my top five for favorite songs by the group. I remember when the single was released right before the Christmas season and playing it on repeat constantly. I even showed it to my wife and said, ‘look a heavy metal Christmas song!’ Don’t get me wrong I love traditional Christmas songs but this one was completely bad ass and makes Trans Siberian Orchestra look like a group of your neighbors singing off-key carols at your door Christmas night. Christmas Truce is the pièce de résistance that showcases the bands talent as a whole and I think brings the album together. The song tells the story of the 1914 Christmas Truce in the trenches between both sides where they laid down their arms to celebrate one day of peace and harmony. The song captures the fragile peace with excellent lyrics, hammering bass riffs, shredding guitars, and is narrated by Joakim himself. What really gets me is the piano work in the song and before you think I am crazy, yes there is a piano in a heavy metal song. As the song progresses you get the sense that the peace is not meant to last as the drums pound heavier to reflect the sound of shells falling once again.
Overall Thoughts
Having listened to all of their other albums repeatedly, I would rank this album near the top. It really captures the work of other band members such as Pär, Chris, Tommy and Hannes. Not to take away anything from Joakim’s great work on the album, but I loved how each band member got their time to shine on the album through independent riffs and solos. Not to mention, I also have a new Christmas song I can add to the rotation that isn’t Alvin and Chipmunks or the Rat Pack.
Kicking Back, Pour A Glass, and Relax With A Craft Beer
How to Listen and More
https://www.sabaton.net/
https://music.sabaton.net/TheWarToEndAllWars