It is honestly impressive how a bunch of guys from Falun—a town in Sweden known for a giant hole in the ground (the mine) and not much else—managed to become the CEOs of Heavy Metal history. While most bands from small towns are lucky to play the local pub twice a year, Sabaton is out here commanding tank divisions on stage and making kids actually enjoy history class. Their new album, Legends, isn't just another collection of war stories; it’s a masterclass in how to evolve without losing the "Sabaton DNA" that makes us want to charge into a grocery store with a plastic sword.
The Evolution of the Battle Plan
The songwriting on Legends feels like Joakim and Pär finally decided to let the rest of the class help with the homework, and the result is glorious. While Joakim Brodén and Pär Sundström remain the strategic commanders, this album marks a massive shift because the entire unit contributed. With Thobbe Englund back in the ranks, there’s a renewed neoclassical shred-energy that fits perfectly alongside the heavy lifting of Chris Rörland and Hannes Van Dahl.
- Joakim Brodén continues to prove he is the undisputed king of the "hook," making even the most obscure history facts sound like a stadium anthem.
- Pär Sundström remains the lyrical backbone, ensuring every story is told with the respect and epic scale it deserves.
- Thobbe Englund’s return brings a technical flair to the solos that we’ve missed since his departure; his fingerprints are all over the high-octane tracks. That being said, we still wish Tommy Johansson was in the mix—imagine if Sabaton pulled an "Iron Maiden" and ran with three guitar players. The sonic warfare would be unstoppable.
- Chris Rörland and Hannes Van Dahl stepped up significantly in the writing room, contributing to the overall "punch" of the record.
- Jonas Kjellgren (the producer) and Ken Kängström even chipped in on the music for tracks like "The Cycle of Songs" and "Crossing the Rubicon," adding layers of polish we haven't seen before.
Production: A Sonic Blitzkrieg
The production, mixing, and mastering on Legends are, quite frankly, disgusting in the best way possible. Jonas Kjellgren at Black Lounge Studios has managed to balance a massive choir, orchestral synths, and bone-crushing guitars without it sounding like a chaotic mess. It’s crisp, it’s loud, and it’ll probably blow out your car speakers if you aren’t careful.
Score: 9.5 / 10
The "Legendary" Live Ritual
If you haven't seen Sabaton live, are you even a metal fan? They are the most consistent, crowd-loving band in the industry, and they treat every show like it’s their last stand. The energy they bring from a small town in Sweden to the biggest stages in the world is a phenomenon that defies logic. From the new album, these tracks are mandatory for the upcoming setlist:
- "Crossing the Rubicon": This is an absolute must for the live set; the driving rhythm and historical weight are tailor-made for a massive stage production.
- "Hordes of Khan": This is a high-speed mosh pit waiting to happen; the double-kick work from Hannes is insane.
- "Maid of Steel": A high-energy anthem about Joan of Arc that will have the entire crowd fist-pumping in unison.
- "I, Emperor": This is the "Napoleon" song the fans have been begging for, and the "anthem energy" is built specifically for stadium sing-alongs.
- "Templars": The perfect mid-tempo "march" that allows Joakim to work the crowd like the veteran general he is.
Of course, we have to be understanding—with a discography this deep, if Sabaton played every amazing song they've ever written, the show would be 8 hours long. We’d all have blown-out eardrums and sore legs, but honestly, we'd probably stay for the whole thing.
It’s truly a testament to their work ethic that a band from Falun is now the gold standard for consistency in the metal world. They haven't just conquered the charts; they've conquered the hearts of fans from Tokyo to Vegas.