ALBUM REVIEW: Legends – Sabaton
Power metal historians SABATON have returned with their eleventh studio album. The Swedish quintet closed their two-part chapter on their foray into World War One with The War to End All Wars. They are now embarking on a lesson on historical personages of interest. Appropriately titled Legends, the new record shines a light on illustrious characters such as Joan of Arc and Julius Caesar as well as individuals of lesser renown (certainly from Western classrooms) such as sword master Miyamoto Musashi and Han Dynasty warrior Lü Bu. Many figures who have carved out their own chapters in world history have been given the SABATON treatment. Stories have been well researched by the riff driven antiquarians and given du e reverence in the telling.
Throughout SABATON’s back catalogue there has never been a shortage of their celebration of individuals through history. Frequently settling on warriors or soldiers and tales of glory. Heroes is an instalment of their catalogue that best encapsulates this and Legends feels like a natural progression of that concept. It’s a tightly backed punch of power metal with additional layering of choirs to deliver an air of gravitas to the subjects covered. As a band they’ve dabbled with concept albums such as their previous double bill relating to events from the first world war. They carried this off with aplomb, however, they seem to work at their best when delivering songs about separate topics that they can have more creative freedom with. When not seemingly tied to a particular idea, they can deliver on a wider level.
Their trademark bombastic enthusiasm for history shines on Legends. SABATON are a band who truly embrace the theatrics of power metal and when they can combine this with what is clearly a personal passion then they are capable of some remarkable heights. Hordes of Khan, Crossing the Rubicon, I, Emperor and The Cycle of Songs are some prime examples of the Swedes at their best. Laced with the infectious melodic majesty that is a foundation of power metal, blending a technical prowess that they are as instrumentalists. They’ve packed in numerous anthemic moments in Legends. These afore mentioned songs are some of the undeniable highlights and will surely ignite their already impressive live shows. At every turn they nail the catchy riffs and hooks, the grand chorus and searing solos. They inject their personality into every note and it feels like a very authentic album.
Where Legends falters, is in the compositional makeup of some tracks. There are several occasions where melodies or refrains sound very close to previous works of theirs. One may find themselves inadvertently humming or singing older lyrics over the top of these new songs. A shame as they have always been a band to deliver some truly epic anthems and to have some moments falling short of the mark feels a bit deflating.
Legends is a very enjoyable gallop through eleven biographies of some of histories most well known (and lesser known) characters. It offers a glimpse at a cross section of how some individuals have shaped the human timeline. Ultimately it doesn’t break new ground for them which may disappoint some. However, SABATON do not do things by halves and they have delivered with enthusiasm and prowess, cementing the core concepts of power metal.
Rating: 7/10
Legends is out now via Better Noise Music.
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