Joakim Brodén's raspy voice, a modern metal sound and characteristic keyboard tracks - these are just some of the ingredients of Sabaton's success. The heavy metal band originally comes from Falun, Sweden, and their lyrics mainly deal with military history - from the First World War to Vietnam. Sabaton are known for live shows with spectacular pyrotechnics and large video screen and war backdrop, but also for their concept albums.
The band is founded in 1999 by Pär Sundström, Joakim Brodén, Oskar Montelius, Richard Larsson and Rikard Sundén. The group initially gives itself the name Aeon, but changes it to Sabaton shortly afterwards. The term refers to the part of a knight's armour that covers the feet.
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With the first demo CD "Fist Of Fight", Sabaton present themselves to the label Underground Symphony in 2000 and get a record deal. The release of the debut album "Metalizer" is delayed because the band splits up with their label. Also the composition of the band members changes.
With the album "Primo Victoria" Sabaton take off
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In the years 2002 to 2003, the band gets into a creative crisis, but does not give up. On the contrary: the rehearsals are harder and more intense than before. With the second album "Primo Victoria", which is released in 2005, the Swedes finally find their own style.
With "Primo Victoria", the two songwriters Sundström and Brodén begin to focus on military-historical themes. From now on the lyrics are about warlike conflicts, historical battles and special heroes.
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Albums like "Attero Dominatus" and "The Art Of War" follow, with which Sabaton immediately land at number 5 in the Swedish charts. Shortly afterwards Sabaton go on tour through Europe. In 2006, the five musicians accompanied the German power metal band Edguy on their Rocket World Tour. In 2007, the band supports Theorion and Grave Digger.
In 2010 Sabaton release the album "Coat Of Arms" and go on the World War Europe Tour. The tour takes in the whole of Europe and Israel. Stops include Tel Aviv, Oslo, Hamburg, London, Milan, Vienna, Prague and Belgrade. A complete success, as tickets for Sabaton are selling like hot cakes.
Sabaton at the crossroads
Sabaton's tour of the USA is about to begin when a new rift occurs in 2012. Many years together lie behind the musicians. Some have started families during this time. There are new commitments, life ideas change. The separation - in all friendship - is the logical consequence. Except for the two founders Sundström and Brodén, all members are leaving the band.
The new beginning with excellent musicians
After intermezzi from Robban Bäck and Thobbe Englund, musicians such as drummer Hannes van Dahl and guitarist Chris Rörland, as well as Tommy Johannson from 2016, complete the band. Van Dahl is already known as the drum technician of Sabaton and band member of Evergrey, Johannson as a member of ReinXeed.
The albums "Heroes" and "The Last Stand" are produced. After two quieter years, Sabaton picked up where they left off in 2018 with "The Great War". The concept album recalls the horrors of the First World War. The music video recorded for it shows the battlefield of Verdun.
Waving manes, headbanging, camouflage and elaborately produced videos characterise Sabaton's style. For the video for the single "Bismarck", battleship of the German navy in World War II, the musicians embark on the ship "Primo Victoria"
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Festivals, events, cruise ships - Sabaton are present everywhere
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In their hometown Falun, the festival "Rockstad" has been taking place every year since 2008, where Sabaton are also part of the show. In 2010, the "Sabaton Cruise", a heavy metal festival on a cruise ship, takes place for the first time
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In 2019, the band launches its YouTube series "Sabaton History". In 15-minute posts, the band members present documentaries on battles and important events in military history and show how they process them in their songs.
