Sabaton have over the past 20 years come to redefine heavy metal. They don’t sing about dragons and bards and stories. They sing and play songs that tell the stories from history, songs that make you think and songs that have taught this reviewer more about history than your average history class. Their new album The Great War, is about the war which was meant to end all wars. Recording started on 11/11/2018 hundred years after the armistice was signed, and now we venture into the depths.
“The Future of Warfare,” tells the stories of the beginning of the tank, and the song is galloping, filled with energy, darkness and the sense of grandiose purpose that was naturally felt when the war began. “Seven Pillars of Wisdom,” a song about Lawrence of Arabia, captures the essence of the man and the legend perfectly. Joakim’s vocals narrate the story of the greatness perfectly, and the instrumentation keeps things perfectly balanced. This has to be played live. “82nd All The Way,” a song about the legendary Airborne division and their leading member Yorke, a brilliant anthem. A song that ventures through the journey and takes the listener through it all. Simply brilliant. “The Attack Of The Dead Men,” is cold and chaotic. It ventures through the line, with a staccato rhythm which sets the tone nicely, bringing about a full adventure and ensuring the listener is completely hooked. “Devil Dogs,” sounds like a drinking song, fitting for the US Marines. Keep the energy going, keep the atmosphere alive. This is Sabaton at their finest, perfect execution to ensure that everything is well oiled together. “The Red Baron,” a song I’ve waited a long time for. It brings the intensity to the fore, and the joy of the flight. Mixing together with the chorus “Higher!” Indeed, this might be one of the best songs on the record.
I might have been wrong there. “The Great War,” encapsulates everything that Sabaton have achieved throughout the album and their career. It is epic, anthemic and heavy. The lyrics, the instrumentation, everything is perfect. Line after line you feel the pressure and the pain of the war coming through without pause. “A Ghost In The Trenches,” is another song that ventures through this journey. It takes the listener on a simple journey, telling the story of another legendary man who brought his all and paid the ultimate price for it. “Fields of Verdun,” perhaps France’s greatest moment is told in this blistering song. The shells are showed in the pace and rhythm of the guitars, the tension that the soldiers must have felt is shown in the melodies, which get the heart racing. “The End Of The War TO End All Wars,” is epic. Telling the story of the relief that must have come when the war ended. But with that added hint of something not quite right. Peace and prosperity, but darkness at the loss of the war. Simply well executed. “In Flanders Fields,” finishes everything off. Telling the story of the poppies and those who were gone.
A hundred years after the end of the war that was to end all wars, Sabaton have paid the ultimate tribute here. Buy this album and you will never forget the journey you are taken on. It is released on 19th July via Nuclear Blast.