Legends: Very famous persons, especially in a particular field, who are admired by other people or in this case admired by Sabaton.
Their newest album ”Legends” is all about admiration and paying tributes to some famous historical members of the world history. For example: Napoleon, Jeanne d’Arc, Ghenghis Khan and Hannibal. But before we start the history lesson.
Let’s begin with some little did you know facts.
⦁ It has been 3,5 years since the last album came out.
⦁ Thobbe Englund is back again and this is the first album since his returned.
⦁ All the bandmembers have done some writing work for this album, which is for the first time. Apparently it took some 10 previous albums to finally feel confident enough to write lyrics.
⦁ The album is recorded in two pieces cause the lads had to do a tour with Judas Priest in between the recording sessions. Which is a very valid reason right…
Okay now it is time for your history lesson with no better teacher than Sabaton.
This week’s topic are ”Legends” from the old days. Starting the lecture with ”Templars”. Let’s add a choir and the typical Sabaton melody powered by your fave teachers: Joakim Brodén, Pär Sundström, Chris Rörland and Hannes van Dahl and what do we get. A good, decent but slightly predictable song about the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon also know as the Templars. There is nothing bad to be said about the song. Everything is just good about it. The lyrics and the melody of the chorus are easy to catch and I think it’s a good first song to announce the album with.
”Hordes of Khan” is from a different kind of style and beat. More uptempo and we can thank Dahl for his double bass drumskill. During the bridge we hear multiple voices and that gives extra power to the lyrics. ”Break and curse your rivals, Hear them weep and cry, To steal all that they hold dear, To kill their love with fear.’‘ followed by some good guitar riffs. The tempo of the song fits the story that it is telling about Genghis Kahn, the first Kahn of the Mongol Empire and the many military campaigns he let to conquer China and Central Asia.
While some figures are more popular than others, whether that is for something good or something terrible. I think we can say everyone has heard about Napoleon Bonaparte. If not Sabaton will give you a Napoleon beginners class with ”I, Emperor”. The song starts off with a good marching beat, Brodén uses his voices in different ways, he changes between low and high tones. the chorus is multi vocal and the lyrics are easy to catch. This song will be a good one for live crowds and i think a fan favorite. I caught myself by already headbanging and humming when i was listening to it the first time.
As many of you know, women played a big part in history as well, but not always get the rightful credits they deserve. On behave of all the women I will say thank you Sabaton for this power to the ladies song: ”Maid of Steel” is my favorite song of the album. A beautiful, powerful hommage to Jeanne d’Arc, the female military leader and savior of France. Some of the lyrics are very fitting for the times we are living in at the moment. The melody is raw, hard and uptempo and a good definition of Swedish Power Metal.
Have you ever heard of Miyamoto Musasahi? The Niten Ichi-ryu style? or The Book of Five Rings? Well I did not until I heard ”The Duelist”. The definition of the Niten Ichi-ryu style is the style of swordsmanship were two swords are in complete harmony with each other and two serves as one. This song functions as a complete harmony in my opinion. While in other songs you might hear the drums or the guitars more or they set the tone of the song. With ”The Duelist” that is not the case. It is all perfectly balanced out and makes it a typical Sabaton song.
One thing that really made me a fan of Sabaton is the melodic power metal music they make and when they sing in their own language. ”Till Seger” is the last song of the album but it serves as the love letter to their home country. Gustavus Adolphus made Sweden great European power country during the Thirty Years’ War by serving as a primary military force. The song has a catching melody and with the Swedish lyrics and singing makes it a feel good song. One you turn on while going for a walk cause the beats makes it more fun.
And with that we finish todays history class. Some legends will be familiar and some will be new to you. Every song on ”Legends” is a hommage to a famous person and the whole song feels like a good fit for that typical person. From the lyrics, to the drumpart, the guitar riffs and even the way Brodèn uses his voice. It shows the passion, the time and effort from the whole band and their love for history. But I have to say. Some songs sounds and feels a little bit too similar to other songs from previous albums. But overall a good album and I really can’t wait how some songs will sound live with the orchestra during the Legendary tour.
Rating: 7/10
Release Date: 17th October 2025
Label: Better Noise Music
Writer: Milou
Tracklist:
1. Templars
2. Hordes of Khan
3. A Tiger Among Dragons
4. Crossing the Rubicon
5. I, Emperor
6. Maid of Steel
7. Impaler
8. Lightning at the Gates
9. The Duelist
10. The Cycle of Songs
11. Till Seger
