Only weeks after releasing its latest album, The War to End All Wars, Sabaton has dropped a companion record of sorts in the form of The Symphony To End All Wars. The full-on orchestral/instrumental record released Friday through Nuclear Blast Records, and is a thoroughly impressive new presentation that is certain to bring together fans of Sabaton, metal, and classical music. That is due in large part to the fact that it is a full-on orchestral presentation. This will be addressed shortly. The record’s production is without a doubt important to its presentation and will be discussed a little later. The record’s sequencing rounds out the record’s most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered, they make The Symphony To End All Wars one of the year’s best new albums so far.
Sabaton’s newly released companion record to The War To End All Wars, The Symphony To End All Wars is a proof positive that music truly is the universal language. It is a presentation that will bring together fans of not only the band, but power metal, metal in general, and classical music. That is due in no small part to the approach taken to the record. Instead of being the full-on power metal presentation that is its counterpart, this record is instead, a full-on orchestral/instrumental presentation. Gone are the powerhouse guitar solos and the vocals. Gone are the pounding drums and bass. In their place are full orchestra arrangements of the songs featured in The War To End All Wars complete with all the bombast of the original compositions and then some. Each arrangement gives the songs featured in The War To End All Wars its own unique new identity while still staying true to the source material. As a matter of fact, the arrangements not only give the songs new identities, but improve exponentially on what was already great. It makes the overall presentation feel like something that would be a perfect partner to a bigger, cinematic event, whether it be a documentary style work or maybe even a historical fiction. It is simply that powerful, engaging and entertaining.
While the general presentation of The Symphony To End All Wars forms a solid foundation for the record, it is just part of what makes it so successful. The record’s production builds on that foundation and makes for even more enjoyment. From one song to the next, the production ensures such a powerful effect for audiences. From the subtleties of the marimba in some of the songs, to the choral backing in others, to the use of the strings, horns, and woodwinds, every single performer featured in each song is highlighted just right. No one musician and performer overpowers his or her counterparts. Each part gets its own attention, with the result that, again, the whole thing creates such a moving cinematic feel. In the same vein, it makes a person imagine seeing and hearing all of this live on stage. Yes, that is a direct hint to Sabaton and everyone at Nuclear Blast Records. The effect of the production is that immersive and powerful. Keeping that in mind, the content featured in this record and its production go a long way toward making it a memorable presentation.
The record’s sequencing rounds out the most important of the album’s elements. That is because the sequencing keeps the original album’s track listing in order. What this means is that audiences get the same experience here as in the original album. The experience is that of what really comes across as a concept record of sorts, even though it isn’t. It tells a story from beginning to end, of the war’s beginning, things that happened along the way, and the end. Add in that the experience is presented in a full orchestral fashion, and it makes the album’s sequencing that much more important. To that end, the sequencing brings everything full circle and completes the record’s presentation. The end result is a record that is among the best of the year’s new albums in general.
Sabaton’s new album, The Symphony To End All Wars, is a not so surprisingly engaging and entertaining offering from the veteran power metal band. It succeeds for so many reasons, not the least of which is its general presentation. The full-on orchestral/instrumental approach taken here gives each of the songs from The War To End All Wars wholly new identities while staying true to its source material. The arrangements take the source material and improve upon it from one song to the next. The production that went into each arrangement builds on the success that the arrangements themselves create. It ensures that each musician’s performance compliments those of his and her counterparts, further engaging and entertaining audiences. The record’s sequencing ensures audiences get to hear the album in the same order in this case as in its counterpart. This further ensures audiences’ engagement and entertainment because it takes audiences on the same musical journey. Each item examined is important in its own right to the whole of the album. All things considered, they make The Symphony To End All Wars easily one of the best of this year’s new albums.
The Symphony To End All Wars is available now through Nuclear Blast Records. More information on Sabaton’s new album re-issue and upcoming tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://www.sabaton.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sabaton
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sabaton
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