Swedish Power Metal force Sabaton is back with their follow up to the uncharacteristically non-combat focused album Carolus Rex, this time with Heroes on Nuclear Blast. No real surprises here, but there has been a slight shift in the execution.
That is a good thing, in my estimation. This time, Sabaton approaches the music with more of a guitar-based assault and a reduced emphasis on their normally keyboard driven Metal. Lyrically, the band returns to true stories of bravery, acts of daring, and the accomplishment of dangerous missions focused primarily on World War II. Here they broach subjects such as a volunteer prisoner who went to Auschwitz to obtain evidence of the atrocities there, American Soldier Audie Murphy’s exploits, bomber regiments, Australian Soldier Corporal Bull Allen, and Lauri Allan Törni (who served in three different nations’ armies), among others. Personally, I very much enjoy the reality based lyrics, especially when they are crafted with a Metal attitude.
Vocalist Joakim Brodén and bassist Pär Sundström are joined now by new guitarists Chris Rörland and Thobbe Englund along with drummer Hannes van Dahl. The new guitarists clearly have the largest impact on the Sabaton sound, essentially bringing a heavier sound than before. Most of the tracks are much more guitar driven, resulting in an even more aggressive sound for the band, a new level of intensity and bombastic sound quality. While I have been a fan for a number of years, with Heroes – despite its relatively short length (36 minutes!) - Sabaton has amped up their game.
This is undoubtedly Sabaton, not to be mistaken for anyone else. They kick off with a trio of headbangers – Night Witches, No Bullets Fly & Smoking Snakes – glorious in sound to match the subject matter. The large choir sound is here along with rough, but melodic lead vocals and some smoking solo work. Nice way to open the album. They follow with the story of Witold Pilecki, the Polish soldier in Auschwitz. Prisoner 4859 is a pounding and inspiring track. Resist and Bite just crushes, one of my favorite tracks on Heroes. Sabaton pays tribute during Far From the Fame to Karel Janoušek, a Czech officer who fought in World War I and led the Czechoslovak resistance against the Nazis. They close the album with the semi-ballad majestic Hearts of Iron.
Check out Resist and Bite:
Sabaton is nothing if not consistent. This is yet another quality release from the Swedes, and in considering the totality of their work – one of their best, particularly since it is a step in a more aggressive direction. If you dig Power Metal with historically accurate lyrics, somewhat rough vocals, and a sense of melody, be sure to get Heroes.
Heroes: 8/10 – Great
I hear the sound in a METAL way.
Let me know how you hear it – harley_wlm@zoho.com
-Harley