I won’t go too much into detail here, we all know Sabaton whether we love them or hate them, they’re everywhere! Since 1999 Sweden’s finest have been releasing music on war and dominating cities with their never-ending tours and appearances. But did you know, in 2012 most of the band left Sabaton (in all honesty the only 2 cool members stayed) and formed their own band. However, the two remaining members weren’t put off. They waved their magic wands…erm I mean….swords and got a few nice shiny new members including Nocturnal Rites guitarist Chris Rörland
This is Sabaton’s 7th full length album and I have a feeling the Swede machine won’t stop there…
A superbly epic start with ‘Night Witches’ battle fuelled, fist thumping and big ass male group vocals that Manowar might even be a little jealous of! Now this is going to be a beauty!
‘No Bullets Fly’ offers something a little different to the usual Sabaton, sure the vocals are still of tongue rolling bliss, but the feel is more your usual power metal than the Sabaton running into war that we always get.
A quiet pause after the odd duckling of the bunch then we’re back in with some kick ass riffs and of course it wouldn’t be complete without a catchy chorus. You’ve gotta hand it to them, I can’t think of a band that sounds at all like Sabaton. Originality leaking out of their camo trousers! And the thing is, Sabaton always sound like Sabaton, they stick to a concoction of secret riffs and macho vocals, so in the words of Charlie Sheen…. WINNING!
‘Inmate’ starts with some almost eerie lullaby type music then onwards with some bass beats and crunchy “man” riffs! The lyrics are particularly interesting about a soldier in Auschwitz but apparently, nobody knows his name? Hmm.
Joakim’s voice sounds its best on ‘To Hell and Back and of course it’s a bouncy track which will make Sabaton fans troop around like a soldier when seeing them live (no? just me?). As always, the guitar solos fit perfect in the track and the whistle noises add a bit of a cheesy feeling to it.
By eck! It’s a ballad! ‘Ballad of Bull’ makes me want to hide under a duvet with ear plugs in and slowly rock myself to sleep hoping that what I have listened to is just a bad dream. But no! Sabaton we love you cheesy but this is too much!
Gladly, saved by ‘Resist and Bite’ with its stupidly catchy chorus and the guitars flowing between it, quick!! I need camo trousers and aviators immediately! Then, there’s ‘Soldier of Armies’ which I was a little gutted when I read it as Soldier of Arnies!. Imagine that?? . That aside, it offers some full on in your face atmospheric power metal. Lush!
A highlight to this album if just for its grooves is ‘Far from the Fame’ but ending on a perfect step is ‘Heart of Iron’. Quick get the lighters out and the flags and get them waving The only disappointment was I didn’t get to hear their bonus tack of Metallica’s For Whom the Bell Tolls.
(7/10 Charlene Rance)
Leave a Reply