Sabaton (band)
Encyclopedia
Sabaton is a Grammis
-nominated power metal
band from Falun
, Sweden
formed in 1999. The band's main lyrical themes are those of historical wars. This is heard in albums Primo Victoria
, Attero Dominatus
and Coat of Arms
where all of the songs, except final tracks, take inspiration from historical battle
s or war. Lyrical content drawn from World War II
and World War I
is prevalent and includes songs about battles and leaders on all sides of these conflicts
.
's studio, The Abyss
, Sabaton were contacted by a couple of record labels.
The band decided to sign up for an Italian label who internationally released the promo CD Fist for Fight
—including cover artwork by the legendary Ken Kelly (Manowar
)—with the intention to promote forthcoming releases.
A year after the first recordings were made Sabaton returned with a début album Metalizer
, again working with Peter Tägtgren. The album was recorded 2002 but had a five year delay before release in 2007. Metalizer
is counted as their first album despite being the third album released.
Sabaton performed across Sweden, and after two years of waiting for the label to release Metalizer, Sabaton decided to record another album. But this time they would do it on their own, without the financial support of a record label.
and found themselves in negotiations with several international record labels. One of the songs in the album, Into the Fire, made heavy reference to the Vietnam War. They eventually signed with Black Lodge
, the metal division of Sound Pollution. In early 2005, they recruited Daniel Myhr to relieve Joakim Brodén, who played keyboards in addition to singing, of his keyboard duties.
continued the war theme of Primo Victoria with songs like "Back in Control" (which focuses on the British retaking of the Falkland Islands
during the Falklands War
), "Attero Dominatus" (about the Battle of Berlin
which brought about the end of World War II
in Europe) and "Angels Calling" (about trench warfare
during World War I
), and was released in Europe on the 28th of July 2006.
an album inspired by the influential book
by Sun Tzu
. The decision to base the album upon Sun Tzu's book came from the idea that in the 2000 years since the book was written, the human race has achieved many things but apart from weapon advancements, war and tactics have remained basically the same. The album contains the singles "Cliffs of Gallipoli" and "Ghost Division". The album has received extremely positive reviews so far.
In September 2008 it was announced that Sabaton would be performing at the 2009 ProgPowerUSA X festival in Atlanta GA USA. In addition, Sabaton were the first band confirmed for the festival Bloodstock
'09 in Derby
, UK. Furthermore, they toured Europe in 2009 as an opening act on the Hammerfall
Tour. After their Bloodstock performance, the band went on a tour with DragonForce
, towards the end of 2009, for 18 shows in the UK.
focuses on Greek history and war, emphasizing its heroic aspects. On their official website, and posted a link to a YouTube video containing the album art and a teaser music sample. Coat of Arms was released on May 21, 2010. The first music video, for Uprising
, was released on August 1, 2010 and features Peter Stormare
. This was accompanied by a European tour. A second music video, for Screaming Eagles
, was released on May 25th.
DragonForce
bassist Frédéric Leclercq
filled in for rhythm guitarist Rikard Sundén as a sessional guitarist during the first leg of the European tour, due to Sundén becoming a father. In March 2011 Daniel Mullback injured his knees so badly that he was forced to return home to Sweden. Robban Bäck from Sweden, filled in for Mullback on the last shows of the european tour.
On the first US-shows, Patrik Johansson filled in for 2 shows. Daniel Mullback is now fully restored and back behind the drums.
The band confirmed for Rockstad:Falun 2011, a festival in Sweden, where they performed with additional vocals by Udo Dirkschneider
and Chris Boltendahl, Frédéric Leclercq performing third guitar, and Van Canto
performing backing vocals.
On the 5th of August 2011, their first live album was released, named World War Live: Battle of the Baltic Sea
, a recording of their show on the Sabaton cruise of December 2010.
Grammis
The Grammis Awards are the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards. The awards ceremony is generally held each year in February in Stockholm.The awards were established in 1969 and awarded until 1972 when they were cancelled....
-nominated power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band from Falun
Falun
Falun is a city and the seat of Falun Municipality in Dalarna County, Sweden, with 36,447 inhabitants in 2005. It is also the capital of Dalarna County...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
formed in 1999. The band's main lyrical themes are those of historical wars. This is heard in albums Primo Victoria
Primo Victoria
Primo Victoria is the second album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton. This was the first album they released for their new label, Black Lodge Records.-Track listing:# "Primo Victoria" – 4:10 - About D-Day of Operation Overlord....
, Attero Dominatus
Attero Dominatus
Attero Dominatus is the third album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, as well as the first to feature keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr.The Latin name is intended to mean 'Destroy Tyranny' . However it is syntactically incorrect...
and Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms (album)
-Personnel:* Joakim Brodén - vocals* Rickard Sundén - guitars* Oskar Montelius - guitars* Pär Sundström - bass* Daniel Mullback - drums* Daniel Mÿhr - keyboards-Chart performance:-Certifications:- Notes :...
where all of the songs, except final tracks, take inspiration from historical battle
Battle
Generally, a battle is a conceptual component in the hierarchy of combat in warfare between two or more armed forces, or combatants. In a battle, each combatant will seek to defeat the others, with defeat determined by the conditions of a military campaign...
s or war. Lyrical content drawn from World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
is prevalent and includes songs about battles and leaders on all sides of these conflicts
.
Early career
Sabaton was formed in 1999. After the first songs were recorded in Peter TägtgrenPeter Tägtgren
Alf Peter Tägtgren is a Swedish musician and producer. He is the founder, main songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the death metal band Hypocrisy as well as the industrial metal band PAIN in which he is the only member....
's studio, The Abyss
The Abyss (recording studio)
The Abyss is a recording studio in Pärlby outside Ludvika, Sweden. It is owned and operated by record producer and musician Peter Tägtgren.-Recordings:...
, Sabaton were contacted by a couple of record labels.
The band decided to sign up for an Italian label who internationally released the promo CD Fist for Fight
Fist for Fight
Fist for Fight is the first album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton. It is in actuality a compilation of two demo recordings made in 1999 and 2000 that the band later self-released on one disc. In 2001 it was re-released under license by the Italian record label Underground Symphony...
—including cover artwork by the legendary Ken Kelly (Manowar
Manowar (band)
Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York. Formed in 1980 the group is known for its lyrics based on fantasy and mythological topics along with their "loud and bombastic" sound...
)—with the intention to promote forthcoming releases.
A year after the first recordings were made Sabaton returned with a début album Metalizer
Metalizer
Metalizer is the fourth full-length release by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, but was actually recorded as their professional debut album in 2002...
, again working with Peter Tägtgren. The album was recorded 2002 but had a five year delay before release in 2007. Metalizer
Metalizer
Metalizer is the fourth full-length release by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, but was actually recorded as their professional debut album in 2002...
is counted as their first album despite being the third album released.
Sabaton performed across Sweden, and after two years of waiting for the label to release Metalizer, Sabaton decided to record another album. But this time they would do it on their own, without the financial support of a record label.
Primo Victoria
The band returned a second album titled Primo VictoriaPrimo Victoria
Primo Victoria is the second album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton. This was the first album they released for their new label, Black Lodge Records.-Track listing:# "Primo Victoria" – 4:10 - About D-Day of Operation Overlord....
and found themselves in negotiations with several international record labels. One of the songs in the album, Into the Fire, made heavy reference to the Vietnam War. They eventually signed with Black Lodge
Ed Rose
Ed Rose is an American sound engineer and record producer. He has worked extensively with groups in the modern emo and pop punk scenes. He also co-owns Black Lodge Recording with Rob Pope and his brother Ryan Pope.-History:...
, the metal division of Sound Pollution. In early 2005, they recruited Daniel Myhr to relieve Joakim Brodén, who played keyboards in addition to singing, of his keyboard duties.
Attero Dominatus
Their third album Attero DominatusAttero Dominatus
Attero Dominatus is the third album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, as well as the first to feature keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr.The Latin name is intended to mean 'Destroy Tyranny' . However it is syntactically incorrect...
continued the war theme of Primo Victoria with songs like "Back in Control" (which focuses on the British retaking of the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
during the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
), "Attero Dominatus" (about the Battle of Berlin
Battle of Berlin
The Battle of Berlin, designated the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation by the Soviet Union, was the final major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II....
which brought about the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in Europe) and "Angels Calling" (about trench warfare
Trench warfare
Trench warfare is a form of occupied fighting lines, consisting largely of trenches, in which troops are largely immune to the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
), and was released in Europe on the 28th of July 2006.
Metalizer
In March 2007, Sabaton released Metalizer as a double disc together with Fist for Fight, along with the previously unreleased song "Birds of War".The Art of War
As a follow up to Metalizer, in May 2008, Sabaton released its fourth album The Art of WarThe Art of War (Sabaton album)
The Art of War is the fifth album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton.The lyrics of the songs are about famous battles or war, mostly based on the battles of World War II or based on the The Art of War by Sun Tzu, for which the album is named....
an album inspired by the influential book
The Art of War
The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise that is attributed to Sun Tzu , a high ranking military general and strategist during the late Spring and Autumn period...
by Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
Sun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
. The decision to base the album upon Sun Tzu's book came from the idea that in the 2000 years since the book was written, the human race has achieved many things but apart from weapon advancements, war and tactics have remained basically the same. The album contains the singles "Cliffs of Gallipoli" and "Ghost Division". The album has received extremely positive reviews so far.
In September 2008 it was announced that Sabaton would be performing at the 2009 ProgPowerUSA X festival in Atlanta GA USA. In addition, Sabaton were the first band confirmed for the festival Bloodstock
Bloodstock
Bloodstock was an annual metal music festival held from 2001 to 2006 over two days in The Assembly Rooms, Derby, England. The event featured big-name mainstream, underground and new bands split between two stages, as well as a 'Metal Market' offering general genre merchandise and CDs...
'09 in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, UK. Furthermore, they toured Europe in 2009 as an opening act on the Hammerfall
Hammerfall
Hammerfall or HammerFall may refer to:*HammerFall, a Swedish power metal band*Hammerfall, a novel in The Gene Wars universe.*Hammerfall, a city in Azeroth, the fictional world of the computer game World of Warcraft....
Tour. After their Bloodstock performance, the band went on a tour with DragonForce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
, towards the end of 2009, for 18 shows in the UK.
Coat of Arms
The band had hoped to begin recording the next album in October but with concerts booked and the DragonForce support tour the following month, it was pushed back. On Wednesday December 23, 2009, the band announced the name of their forthcoming album. Coat of ArmsCoat of Arms (album)
-Personnel:* Joakim Brodén - vocals* Rickard Sundén - guitars* Oskar Montelius - guitars* Pär Sundström - bass* Daniel Mullback - drums* Daniel Mÿhr - keyboards-Chart performance:-Certifications:- Notes :...
focuses on Greek history and war, emphasizing its heroic aspects. On their official website, and posted a link to a YouTube video containing the album art and a teaser music sample. Coat of Arms was released on May 21, 2010. The first music video, for Uprising
Coat of Arms (album)
-Personnel:* Joakim Brodén - vocals* Rickard Sundén - guitars* Oskar Montelius - guitars* Pär Sundström - bass* Daniel Mullback - drums* Daniel Mÿhr - keyboards-Chart performance:-Certifications:- Notes :...
, was released on August 1, 2010 and features Peter Stormare
Peter Stormare
is a Swedish film, stage, voice and television actor as well as a theatrical director, playwright and musician.- Early life :...
. This was accompanied by a European tour. A second music video, for Screaming Eagles
Coat of Arms (album)
-Personnel:* Joakim Brodén - vocals* Rickard Sundén - guitars* Oskar Montelius - guitars* Pär Sundström - bass* Daniel Mullback - drums* Daniel Mÿhr - keyboards-Chart performance:-Certifications:- Notes :...
, was released on May 25th.
Re-Armed editions
Came out on September 24, 2010, included new bonus tracks never heard before- Primo Victoria
- Attero Dominatus
- Metalizer
- The Art of War
Future
In an interview with Swedish TV4 on January 13, 2011, Sabaton's bass player Pär Sundström confirmed that a new album was in the works.DragonForce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
bassist Frédéric Leclercq
Frédéric Leclercq
Frédéric Leclercq is the bassist and backing vocalist for power metal band DragonForce and the guitarist/vocalist in his own band, Maladaptive. He is a session musician for various other bands, including George Lynch's Souls of We...
filled in for rhythm guitarist Rikard Sundén as a sessional guitarist during the first leg of the European tour, due to Sundén becoming a father. In March 2011 Daniel Mullback injured his knees so badly that he was forced to return home to Sweden. Robban Bäck from Sweden, filled in for Mullback on the last shows of the european tour.
On the first US-shows, Patrik Johansson filled in for 2 shows. Daniel Mullback is now fully restored and back behind the drums.
The band confirmed for Rockstad:Falun 2011, a festival in Sweden, where they performed with additional vocals by Udo Dirkschneider
Udo Dirkschneider
Udo Dirkschneider is a German heavy metal singer who is best known as the vocalist in German heavy metal band Accept and later U.D.O.After leaving Accept in 1987, Dirkschneider formed the band U.D.O....
and Chris Boltendahl, Frédéric Leclercq performing third guitar, and Van Canto
Van Canto
Van Canto is an a cappella metal band from Germany, founded in 2006 and composed of five singers and a drummer. Although the group is often classified as an a cappella ensemble, they use real drums in their music, instead of vocal percussion or beatboxing....
performing backing vocals.
On the 5th of August 2011, their first live album was released, named World War Live: Battle of the Baltic Sea
World War Live: Battle of the Baltic Sea
World War Live: Battle of the Baltic Sea is the first live album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, released in 2011 as a double album.-Track listing:Disc one #"The March to War "...
, a recording of their show on the Sabaton cruise of December 2010.
Line-up
- Joakim Brodén — vocals, keyboards (on Fist for Fight, Metalizer, Primo Victoria)
- Rikard Sundén — rhythm/lead guitar, backing vocals
- Oskar Montelius — lead/rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Pär Sundström — bass
- Daniel Mullback — drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Daniel Mÿhr — keyboards, backing vocals
Discography
- Fist for FightFist for FightFist for Fight is the first album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton. It is in actuality a compilation of two demo recordings made in 1999 and 2000 that the band later self-released on one disc. In 2001 it was re-released under license by the Italian record label Underground Symphony...
(2000) - Primo VictoriaPrimo VictoriaPrimo Victoria is the second album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton. This was the first album they released for their new label, Black Lodge Records.-Track listing:# "Primo Victoria" – 4:10 - About D-Day of Operation Overlord....
(2005) - Attero DominatusAttero DominatusAttero Dominatus is the third album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, as well as the first to feature keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr.The Latin name is intended to mean 'Destroy Tyranny' . However it is syntactically incorrect...
(2006) - MetalizerMetalizerMetalizer is the fourth full-length release by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, but was actually recorded as their professional debut album in 2002...
(2007) - The Art of WarThe Art of War (Sabaton album)The Art of War is the fifth album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton.The lyrics of the songs are about famous battles or war, mostly based on the battles of World War II or based on the The Art of War by Sun Tzu, for which the album is named....
(2008) - Coat of ArmsCoat of Arms (album)-Personnel:* Joakim Brodén - vocals* Rickard Sundén - guitars* Oskar Montelius - guitars* Pär Sundström - bass* Daniel Mullback - drums* Daniel Mÿhr - keyboards-Chart performance:-Certifications:- Notes :...
(2010)
Singles and Extended Plays
- "Masters of the World" (Single, 2007)
- "Attero Dominatus & Primo Victoria sampler (EP, 2007)
- "Cliffs of Gallipoli"/"Ghost Division" (Single, 2008)
- "Coat of Arms" (Single, 2010)
- "Screaming Eagles" (Single, 2010)
- "World War Live: Battle of the Baltic SeaWorld War Live: Battle of the Baltic SeaWorld War Live: Battle of the Baltic Sea is the first live album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, released in 2011 as a double album.-Track listing:Disc one #"The March to War "...
(2011)
Videography
- "Attero DominatusAttero DominatusAttero Dominatus is the third album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, as well as the first to feature keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr.The Latin name is intended to mean 'Destroy Tyranny' . However it is syntactically incorrect...
" (2006) - "Metal CrüeMetal CrüeMetal Crüe is a song by the Swedish power metal band Sabaton from their 2006 album Attero Dominatus. The song is a tribute to heavy metal and hard rock bands that have inspired Sabaton...
" (2006) - "40:1The Art of War (Sabaton album)The Art of War is the fifth album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton.The lyrics of the songs are about famous battles or war, mostly based on the battles of World War II or based on the The Art of War by Sun Tzu, for which the album is named....
" (2008) - "Cliffs of GallipoliThe Art of War (Sabaton album)The Art of War is the fifth album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton.The lyrics of the songs are about famous battles or war, mostly based on the battles of World War II or based on the The Art of War by Sun Tzu, for which the album is named....
" (2008) - "UprisingCoat of Arms (album)-Personnel:* Joakim Brodén - vocals* Rickard Sundén - guitars* Oskar Montelius - guitars* Pär Sundström - bass* Daniel Mullback - drums* Daniel Mÿhr - keyboards-Chart performance:-Certifications:- Notes :...
" (2010) - "Screaming EaglesCoat of Arms (album)-Personnel:* Joakim Brodén - vocals* Rickard Sundén - guitars* Oskar Montelius - guitars* Pär Sundström - bass* Daniel Mullback - drums* Daniel Mÿhr - keyboards-Chart performance:-Certifications:- Notes :...
" (2010)
| Year | Album Details | Peak Chart Positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWE Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
CHE Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
AUT Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
GER Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
||||||
| 2005 | Primo Victoria Primo Victoria Primo Victoria is the second album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton. This was the first album they released for their new label, Black Lodge Records.-Track listing:# "Primo Victoria" – 4:10 - About D-Day of Operation Overlord....
|
— | — | — | — | ||||
| 2006 | Attero Dominatus Attero Dominatus Attero Dominatus is the third album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, as well as the first to feature keyboardist Daniel Mÿhr.The Latin name is intended to mean 'Destroy Tyranny' . However it is syntactically incorrect... |
16 | — | — | — | ||||
| 2007 | Metalizer Metalizer Metalizer is the fourth full-length release by Swedish power metal band Sabaton, but was actually recorded as their professional debut album in 2002... |
21 | — | — | — | ||||
| 2008 | The Art of War The Art of War (Sabaton album) The Art of War is the fifth album by Swedish power metal band Sabaton.The lyrics of the songs are about famous battles or war, mostly based on the battles of World War II or based on the The Art of War by Sun Tzu, for which the album is named.... |
5 | — | — | — | ||||
| 2010 | Coat of Arms Coat of Arms (album) -Personnel:* Joakim Brodén - vocals* Rickard Sundén - guitars* Oskar Montelius - guitars* Pär Sundström - bass* Daniel Mullback - drums* Daniel Mÿhr - keyboards-Chart performance:-Certifications:- Notes :... Nuclear Blast Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic... |
4 | 33 | 71 | 19 | ||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country. | |||||||||