Sabaton – Legends
Release Date: 17th October 2025
Label: Better Noise Music
Bandcamp
Genre: Power Metal, Heavy Metal, Symphonic Metal.
FFO: HammerFall, Powerwolf, Gloryhammer, Orden Ogan, Bloodbound, Trollslayer.
Review By: Rick Farley
Sweden’s Sabaton are a polarizing band beloved by millions of heavy metal fans across the globe. Their huge fanbase has earned them mainstream metal success. So, if you’re reading this, I’m sure you’re well aware of their storied history, and I’ll spare the lengthy introduction. However, if you are a new fan, at least know this; this band is one that comes with as much unwarranted hate as it does with adoration and firmly fits in the category of bands that strongly maintain a distinct, core sound while only mildly taking musical chances, which comes off to others apparently as boring. Not to mention, being in the category of writing power metal anthems already sends some metalheads into an abhorrent tizzy. Me personally, I admire this band. I honestly haven’t been a fan for long, but after seeing them live with Judas Priest in 2020 I was immediately enamoured. The idea of telling historical stories through music is fascinating. Being already a bit of a history buff, war movie connoisseur and all around defender of classic heavy metal, Sabaton is a band that scratches a particular itch when I just need to headbang and throw the metal horns up triumphantly in the air while actually learning a thing or two about a thing or two. It’s a great fucking feeling to freely cut loose and while this band does absolutely have a formulaic sound, there’s no one that does it any better.
Legends marks the bands 11th studio album and the first to be released by Better Noise Music. Eleven tracks that cover eleven iconic stories, legendary stories of warriors, kings, strategists, and revolutionaries. All presented in epic heavy/power metal fashion. Huge orchestration mixed with serrated edged riffs, shreddy solos, hooky sing along choruses and gloriously infectious personality is a timeless sound that will never grow old for me.
Templars kicks the album off with a cinematic, symphonic driven burst of melodic guitar work and bouncy drums. Its immediate Sabaton signature sound is welcoming with its moderately paced tempo and fist pumping aesthetic. Background choir style vocals and keyboards fully enhance the epic feel of the song. A strong starting track that touches on the military force of the Catholic
faith during the crusades. Hordes of Khan follows with crunchy, frenzied riffs and thick bass. The deep, occasionally raspy vocals from Joakim Brodén are smooth yet powerful. His vocals have a ton of character to them, which adds so much to the bands overall sound. The track carries on its speedy intensity with a fun chorus and slick lead guitar work. The fist pumping Crossing the Rubicon instantly became one of my favourite tracks. It’s out of the gate gym ready and ready for battle. The story of Julius Caesars defiant act of guiding his army across the Rubicon River that essentially started a civil war and brought on the rise of the Roman Empire. Full of heavy guitars, gigantic choruses, and stomping tempo. Bassist Pär Sunderström and drummer Hannes Van Dahl keep the thunderous low-end thumping on your chest while you deliriously charge onward. Another high point of many on Legends is the callback to classic Sabaton, Maid of Steel. Bursting right of the gate with thrashy guitar intensity. Full bore energy throughout and stacked with killer guitar shred from guitarists Chris Rörland and the returning Thobbe Englund, this track will knock a few teeth down your throat before you have a chance to even move. The last track I will mention, because honestly by now you should just be checking out the album, is the slightly sinister Impaler. An undeniable, metallic guitar hook and darker atmosphere show the band is capable of mixing things up a bit, keeping it fresh. Wicked heavy metal riffs and powerful, catchy vocals dominate this track’s menacing atmosphere. Vald the Impaler was both considered a saviour to some and a brutal dictator to others. This song’s vibe coveys that, with anthemic hooks and tyrannical heaviness.
It’s needless to say at this point, but Sabaton has once again released an album filled with massively hooky songs full of power metal splendour and intriguing lyrical content. An album that stands tall within their consistently excellent discography. One last sell to check Legends out is, Lightning at the Gates is about Hannibal leading his army in 218 BC on a gruelling journey across the Alps on war elephants. How fucking metal is that!
(4 / 5)
