Visions Of Atlantis Debuts New Single, ‘Master The Hurricane,’ Companion Video

Posted on May 14, 2022 by philspicks

Visions of Atlantis dropped its latest album, Pirates Friday through Napalm Records, but not before releasing one more single from the brand new album Wednesday.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Master The Hurricane‘ Wednesday, along with its companion video. The premiere of the new single follows those of the album’s other singles, ‘Melancholy Angel‘ and ‘Legion of the Seas.’ All of the familiar power metal leanings presented in those singles is just as evident here, though the song still boasts its own identity separate from those songs and the album’s other entries. The comparisons to works from the likes of Sabaton, Helion Prime, and Epica are just as easy to make in this case as in the other songs.

The video featured with the song presents the band aboard a ship trying to navigate an old pirate ship through a very dangerous storm. Vocalist Michele Guaitol sees the whole thing happen as an unidentified figure holds a gem in hand that acts like a crystal ball, showing the story happen.

Once again, no information was provided in the press release announcing the debut of the band’s new single and video. No lyrics are provided with the video, either.

Pirates‘ track listing and available platforms are noted below.

Pirates tracklist:
1. Pirates will Return
2. Melancholy Angel
3. Master the Hurricane
4. Clocks
5. Freedom
6. Legion of the Seas
7. Wild Elysium
8. Darkness Inside
9. In my World
10. Mercy
11. Heal the Scars
12. I will be Gone

Pirates is available in the following formats:

Wooden Deluxe Box (incl. digisleeve, flag, hip flask, signed autograph card) – strictly limited to 300
Canvas (100x50cm) + CD Digisleeve – strictly limited to 100
2 LP Gatefold GLOW IN THE DARK – strictly limited to 300
2 LP Gatefold Black
CD Digisleeve
Digital Album

More information on Visions Of Atlantis’ new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.visionsofatlantis.at

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visionsofatlantisofficial

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

‘The Symphony To End All Wars’ Is A Powerful Companion Piece To Sabaton’s Latest LP

Posted on May 7, 2022 by philspicks

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

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Battle Born Debuts ‘Bring The Metal Back’ Video

Posted on May 7, 2022 by philspicks

Power metal band Battle Born premiered its new single and video this week.

The band debuted its new single, ‘Bring The Metal Back‘ and its video Friday. The single is featured in the new re-issue of its debut, self-titled EP, which arrived Friday through Prosthetic Records. The band originally released the EP independently in 2020. The re-issue features the bonus track, ‘Hammer of Might.’

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Bring The Metal Back’ is a driving composition that will appeal to any power metal fan. Its rapid fire drumming and guitar riffs pair with the equally powerful vocals to make it comparable to works from the likes of Dragonforce, Sabaton, and Helion Prime.

The song’s lyrical theme is clearly a promotion of heavy metal. It is very much in the vein of so many classic power metal songs from days gone by, ensuring even more, its appeal among so many metal purists.

In other news, Battle Born launched a European tour in support of its newly re-issued EP Friday. The tour is scheduled to run through June 5 in Banstaple, UK. The tour’s schedule is noted below.

BATTLE BORN‘s UK Ride for Heavy Metal tour dates:
6 May – Firehouse – Southampton
7 May – Anvil Rockbar – Bournemouth
20 May – New Cross Inn – London
27 May – Frog and Fiddle – Cheltenham
29 May – The Bullingdon – Oxford
31 May – Corporation – Sheffield
1 June – Ivory Blacks – Glasgow
2 June – Satans Hollow – Manchester
3 June – The Station – Cannock
4 June – Underground – Plymouth
5 June – Golden Lion – Banstaple

More information on Battle Born’s new record deal, EP re-issue, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://battlebornuk.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlebornuk

Sabaton Announces Details For New LP’s Re-Issue

Posted on March 27, 2022 by philspicks

Sabaton is set to re-issue its latest album less than two months after its initial release.

The band is scheduled to release The Symphony To End All Wars May 6 through Nuclear Blast Records. The record features symphonic takes of each of the songs from the band’s latest album, The War to End All Wars.

The Symphony to End All Wars will release on on two separate vinyl pressings: a black, single LP in gatefold and Winter Wind single LP gatefold. These pressings are limited to a total of 1,500 units. It will also release digitally.

Along with the forthcoming symphonic take of the album, the band has also released a special expanded history edition that features spoken historical background on each song. The expanded version is available to stream here.

In other news, Sabaton is scheduled to launch a tour in support of its new album Sept. 15 in Seattle, WA. The tour’s North American leg is scheduled to run through Oct. 23 in New York, NY and includes performances scheduled in cities, such as Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO and Cincinnati, OH.

Following some down time at the first leg’s finale, the band will launch the tour’s European leg April 14, 2023 in Leeds, UK. The tour is scheduled to run through May 20 in Kuopio, Finland. It includes performances across Europe in cities, such as Oslo, Norway; Paris, France and Hannover, Germany.

The band’s full tour schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.

THE TOUR TO END ALL TOURS – NORTH AMERICA 2022:

September

15 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA

16 Roseland Theater, Portland, OR

17 Roseland Theater, Portland, OR

19 Revolution Concert House, Boise, ID

21 Fox Theater, Oakland, CA

23 Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA

24 Arizona Federal Theatre, Phoenix, AZ

25 Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV

27 The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT

28 Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO

30 South Side Ballroom, Dallas, TX

October

1 Bayou Music Center, Houston, TX

3 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN

4 Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA

6 The Fillmore Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD

8 The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, OH

10 The Fillmore, Detroit, MI

11 GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI

13 The Fillmore, Minneapolis, MN

15 Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL

17 Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

18 The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA

21 MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA

22 Place Bell, Montreal, QC

23 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY

THE TOUR TO END ALL TOURS – 2023

presented by Cobra Agency

14.04. UK Leeds – First Direct Arena

15.04 UK London – The SSE Arena Wembley

16.04. UK Cardiff – Motorpoint Arena

18.04. UK Glasgow – The SSE Hydro

21.04. FR Paris – Zenith

24.04. DE Hamburg – Barclays Arena

25.04. LU Esch / Alzette – Rockhal

28.04. SE Stockholm – Avicii Arena

29.04. NO Oslo – Spektrum

30.04. DK Copenhagen – Royal Arena

02.05. DE Hannover – ZAG Arena

03.05. NL Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome

05.05. DE Berlin – Mercedes Benz Arena

06.05. DE Leipzig – Quarterback Immobilien Arena

07.05. AT Vienna – Stadthalle

12.05. DE Cologne – Lanxess Arena

13.05. BE Antwerp – Sportpaleis

15.05. DE Munich – Olympiahalle

18.05. EE Tallinn – Saku Arena

19.05. FI Helsinki – Ice Hall

20.05. FI Kuopio – Kuopio Hall

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

Sabaton’s New LP Gets Strong Start On World Charts; Band Announces New Live Dates

Posted on March 14, 2022 by philspicks

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records/Herfitz PR

Sabaton’s new album, The War To End All Wars received positive results in its first week.

The band’s new album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Current Rock Albums and its Current Hard Rock Albums charts. Additionally, it took the top spot in Germany and Sweden. It debuted at #2in Norway and on the UK Rock & Metal Chart.

In other news, Sabaton has announced a 25-date tour in support of its new album. The fall tour is scheduled to launch Sept. 15 in Seattle, WA and to run through Oct. 23 in New York, New York. The band’s Nuclear Blast Record label mate, Epica, will serve as support for the tour.

Tickets for the tour go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday local time. They will be available here.

Par Sundstrom, Sabaton bassist, talked about the upcoming tour in a prepared statement.

“We’re all looking forward to this tour,” said Sundström. “It will have been three years since we’ve brought our headline show to America, so we are more ready than ever. And, with the release of our new album, we now have a vault full of new songs to play.”

The tour’s schedule is noted below.

SEPTEMBER

15 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA

16 Roseland Theater, Portland, OR

17 Roseland Theater, Portland, OR

19 Revolution Concert House, Boise, ID

21 Fox Theater, Oakland, CA

23 Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA

24 Arizona Federal Theatre, Phoenix, AZ

25 Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV

27 The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT

28 Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO

30 South Side Ballroom, Dallas, TX

OCTOBER

1 Bayou Music Center, Houston, TX

3 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN

4 Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA

6 The Fillmore Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD

8 The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, OH

10 The Fillmore, Detroit, MI

11 GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI

13 The Fillmore, Minneapolis, MN

15 Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL

17 Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

18 The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA

21 MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA

22 Place Bell, Montreal, QC

23 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY

The War To End All Wars is available now through Nuclear Blast Records. More information on Sabaton’s new album announcement 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

Visions Of Atlantis Announces New Album Specs; Debuts Lead Single’s Video

Posted on March 11, 2022 by philspicks

Power metal band Visions of Atlantis will release its next album this spring.

The band announced Monday, it will release its eighth album, Pirates, May 13 through Napalm Records. In anticipation of the album’s release, the band premiered the video for the album’s lead single, ‘Legion of the Seas’ the same day.

The video features the band, dressed as pirates, performing its new single on a sound stage. Meanwhile the story of a pair of pirates plays out, with one of the men having a less than happy ending. All of this plays out as the band’s new single plays over the visualization.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single will appeal to any power metal fan. The control and harmonies in the vocals pair well with the instrumentation, which features a stirring string arrangement at its base. The guitars and drums pair with the strings to make the overall arrangement comparable to works from Helion Prime and other similar power metal acts. Audiences could even make comparisons to works from Sabaton to a lesser degree.

The band talked about the song’s lyrical theme in a prepared statement.

“‘Legion of the Seas’ is a statement song that embodies the mindset we carry throughout the entire record,” the statement reads. “No matter what we are facing, we remain the masters of ourselves and our lives. We are delighted to welcome the listeners on board of this new age of Visions of Atlantis with this powerful video, for one of the heaviest songs of the record. Acting scenes meet a fiery band performance, all in a very cinematic way, conveying our universe the best way.”

Visions of Atlantis is on tour with Dragonforce. The bands’ current tour schedule is noted below.

Mar. 11, 2022 – Seattle, WA – Neptune *
Mar. 13, 2022 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom *
Mar. 15, 2022 – Calgary, AB – Palace Theater *
Mar. 16, 2022 – Edmonton, AB – Union Hall *
Mar. 18, 2022 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory *
Mar. 19, 2022 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex *
Mar. 20, 2022 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
Mar. 22, 2022 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Mar. 23, 2022 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
Mar. 24, 2022 – Milwaukee, WI – Rave II
Mar. 25, 2022 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Mar. 26, 2022 – Chicago, IL – Metro
Mar. 27, 2022 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall
Mar. 29, 2022 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s
Mar. 30, 2022 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
Mar. 31, 2022 – Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre
Apr. 1, 2022 – Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell
Apr. 2, 2022 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
Apr. 3, 2022 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Apr. 5, 2022 – Reading, PA – Reverb
Apr. 6, 2022 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater
Apr. 7, 2022 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
Apr. 8, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theater
Apr. 9, 2022 – Greensboro, NC – Arizona Petes
Apr. 10, 2022 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven)
Apr. 12, 2022 – Tampa, FL – Orpheum
Apr. 13, 2022 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
Apr. 15, 2022 – Dallas, TX – Amplified Live
Apr. 16, 2022 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
Apr. 17, 2022 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
Apr. 19, 2022 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
Apr. 20, 2022 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
Apr. 22, 2022 – Los Angeles, CA – Belasco Theater
Apr. 23, 2022 – Berkeley, CA – UC Theater

* = without Firewind

Pirates‘ track listing and available platforms are noted below.

Pirates will be available in the following formats:

Wooden Deluxe Box (incl. digisleeve, flag, hip flask, signed autograph card) – strictly limited to 300
Canvas (100x50cm) + CD Digisleeve – strictly limited to 100
2 LP Gatefold GLOW IN THE DARK – strictly limited to 300
2 LP Gatefold Black
CD Digisleeve
Digital Album

More information on Visions Of Atlantis’ new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.visionsofatlantis.at

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visionsofatlantisofficial

Sabaton’s Latest LP Is Full Of More Welcome Musical, Lyrical Firepower

Posted on March 5, 2022 by philspicks

Veteran power metal band Sabaton released its latest album, The War To End All Wars Friday through Nuclear Blast Records. The band’s 10^th album, it came less than three years after the release of the band’s then latest album, The Great War. What is for all intents and purposes a companion/sequel to The Great War, the band’s new album presents even more stories of World War I. This item is just one of the more notable of the record’s elements. It will be discussed a little later. The musical arrangements featured in the band’s new album are also of note in examining the album. They will be discussed shortly. The record’s production rounds out the most important of its elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make the album another successful offering from Sabaton that its fans will enjoy just as much as any casual power metal fan.

The War To End All Wars, the latest album from veteran power metal act Sabaton, is another mostly successful offering from the band. Its success comes in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements that make up the album’s body do not necessarily break any new ground for the band. For the most part, audiences get the same kind of semi-operatic/symphonic power metal approach that the band has used throughout its extensive life. The thing is that even with that in mind, the band still manages to keep the arrangements fresh and unique from one another and from the rest of its existing catalog. As an example, the blending of the holiday standard, ‘Carol of the Bells’ into the bigger power metal arrangement in ‘Christmas Truce’ gives this song a richness that is unlike most of what the band has ever crafted. Its follow-up, ‘Versailles’ – which also closes out the album – conjures thoughts of Trans-Siberian Orchestra with its choral effects and story telling element incorporated into the mix. On an even more unique note, the band really changes things up in ‘Hellfighters.’ Instead of its familiar power metal riffs, the band opts here to instead go more of a vintage metal direction a la classic Metallica. The band then blends that with its power metal leanings for an overall arrangement that is unquestionably among the most unique musical moments in the album’s run. It is just one more example of what makes the album’s musical arrangements stand out. When it and the other songs noted here are considered along with the rest of the album’s arrangements, the whole makes the album’s musical content a strong foundation for this new album.

Building on the foundation formed through the songs’ musical arrangements is the record’s lyrical themes. As noted earlier, the record focuses lyrically on more tales from World War I. The band’s single ‘Soldier Of Heaven’ for instance, tells the story of White Friday. White Friday was a World War I battle that took place along the Italian front Dec. 13, 1916. The battle, which actually took place on a Wednesday, led to the deaths of countless Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers. The deaths happened as a result of avalanches that many historians allege were caused by both sides against their foes. It is a story that is rarely told if ever in any American history class. ‘Stormtroopers,’ which opens the album, focuses on the German soldiers who took part in the war. The soldiers were considered elite members of the German military who helped the Germans attain victory in a number of conflicts in Europe. Their role in the war is also little taught in American history and military history classes, so to have this history lesson taught through such hard rocking fashion makes the story of their role all the more engaging and entertaining. In yet another example of the importance of the album’s lyrical content, the album’s latest single, ‘Race to the Sea,’ tells yet another little taught story from the war. This time, the story is that of Belgium’s King Albert and his decision to flood the Yser river in order to stop the German troops from taking the country completely. The flooding took place Oct. 28, 1914, leading the Belgians to hold that one section of the nation throughout World War I. It is one more example of the importance of the album’s lyrical content. When this story and the others examined here are considered along with the rest of the album’s stories, the whole leaves no doubt that the lyrical content featured in this album are just as important to the album’s presentation as the record’s musical arrangements.

While the overall content featured in The War To End All Wars is unquestionably important to the record’s presentation, they are only part of what makes the record engaging and entertaining. The album’s production rounds out its most important elements. The production is of note because it ensures from one song to the next, that the instrumentation and vocals are expertly balanced. With so much power from each performer, it would have been so easy for the songs to get bogged down in themselves. Thankfully that did not happen at any point from start to end. Each song gives listeners the utmost impact in its general effect. The result here is that this element ensures listeners’ engagement and entertainment just as much as the record’s overall content. When this item and the album’s content are all considered together, the whole makes the album a presentation that the band’s established audiences and more casual power metal fans alike will agree is another successful offering from Sabaton.

The War To End All Wars is a positive new offering from veteran power metal act Sabaton. The band’s new album succeeds in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are of note because while they don’t necessarily break any new ground for the band, they still ensure that they don’t just rehash the band’s existing songs. In other words, the stylistic approach to the songs is still the same here, but the sounds are their own from one song to the next. The lyrical content that accompanies the album’s musical arrangements is important to examine because as with so much of Sabaton’s songs, it tells stories of the world’s military conflicts that are rarely if ever told/taught here in the U.S. It adds that much more interest to the album’s presentation. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements. That is because it ensures the arrangements are each expertly balanced. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make The War To End All Wars another welcome addition to Sabaton’s catalog.

The War To End All Wars is available now through Nuclear Blast Records. More information on Sabaton’s new album announcement 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

Sabaton Premieres New Single, ‘Soldier Of Heaven,’ Companion Video

Posted on January 8, 2022 by philspicks

Sabaton premiered the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘Soldier of Heaven‘ Friday. The song and its video are the latest from the band’s forthcoming album, The War To End All Wars, which is scheduled for release March 4 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Album Pre-orders are open now. The band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Christmas Truce’ and the song’s companion video Oct. 29.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Soldier of Heaven’ is unlike much of what Sabaton has crafted over its life. The familiar power metal sounds that the band has crafted are replaced here by a more electronic, keyboard-driven approach and sound. That is not to say that the band’s familiar power metal sound is not there, but it takes a bit more of a supporting role here than lead role.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the premiere of the song and its video. From what can be inferred through the lyrics provided with the video, the song tells the story of the men who have died in combat.

The video features the band performing its new single on a snow-covered mountaintop as one of the noted soldiers lies dead in the snow. Fighter planes fly behind the band in combat along the way.

The War To End All Wars will feature 11 new songs, all of which are noted below along with the formats on which the record will release.

The tracklist for The War To End All Wars is as follows:

1. Sarajevo

2. Stormtroopers

3. Dreadnought

4. The Unkillable Soldier

5. Soldier Of Heaven

6. Hellfighters

7. Race to the Sea

8. Lady Of The Dark

9. The Valley Of Death

10. Christmas Truce

11. Versailles

“The War To End All Wars” will be available in the following formats:

– Jewelcase CD

– Limited Gold CD [Supporter Edition – various versions with translated booklets]

– History Edition

– NB Mailorder Exclusive Edition [ltd. to 1500 copies]

– Earbook [limited to 6000 copies]

– Black Vinyl

– Azure Blue Vinyl [bandshop exclusive, ltd. to 300 copies]

– Inca Gold Vinyl [bandshop exclusive, ltd. to 500 copies]

– Copper Vinyl [ltd. to 500 copies]

– Fluorescent Orange Vinyl [ltd. to 500 copies]

– Leaf Green Vinyl [Sweden exclusive]

– Fluorescent Yellow Vinyl [Ginza exclusive]

– Dusk Vinyl [Levik exclusive]

– Soft Grey Vinyl [Nordics exclusive]

– Lavender Vinyl [FNAC exclusive]

– Rosewood Vinyl [Mystic exclusive]

– Fluorescent Green Vinyl [UK exclusive]

– Pacific Blue Vinyl

– Polar White Vinyl [limited to 300 copies]

– Dewdrop Vinyl [limited to 500 copies, EMP exclusive]

– Blue cassette [limited to 100 copies, bandshop exclusive]

– Green cassette [limited to 100 copies]

– Grey cassette [limited to 300 copies]

– Red cassette [limited to 500 copies]

– Black cassette [limited to 250 copies]

– Smokey cassette [limited to 200 copies]

– White cassette [limited 100 copies]

In other news, the band premiered a standalone single, ‘Steel Commanders’ and a companion video in August. The premiere was followed with the debut of an official lyric video for the song in late September.

More information on Sabaton’s new album announcement 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

Sabaton’s Recently Released Double Live Collection Will Appeal To The Band’s Most Devoted Audiences

Posted on December 19, 2021 by philspicks

Sabaton is scheduled to release its next album, The War to End All Wars early next year. The band’s 10^th album, it is scheduled for release March 4 through Nuclear Blast Records. The band has already released the album’s lead single, ‘Christmas Truce’ to build anticipation for the record. More music is likely on the way, too. In the meantime, the band’s most diehard fans have another way to pass the time. It comes in the form of the band’s recently released limited edition live box set, The 20^th Anniversary Show/The Great Show. Released Nov. 19 through Nuclear Blast Records in limited quantities, the two-concert collection is an interesting presentation. Among the most notable items that makes it interesting is its set lists. They will be discussed shortly. The band’s performances thereof are also of interest and will be discussed a little later. The concerts’ production rounds out their most important items and will be discussed later, too. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the box set. All things considered, they make The 20^th Anniversary Show/The Great Show a presentation that, again, Sabaton’s most devoted audiences will appreciate.

Sabaton’s recently released limited edition live box set, The 20^th Anniversary Show/The Great Show is an intriguing new addition to the band’s live catalog. Only the band’s fourth live recording, the set proves itself worth experiencing occasionally. That is due in part to the set lists featured in each of the collection’s two concerts. The set list for The 20^th Anniversary Show is especially intriguing in that it is a career-spanning set list for the most part. The only records not represented in this set are the band’s 2007 album, Metalizer and its 2010 record, Coat of Arms. That means in all, seven of the band’s nine current albums are featured in this set list. The thing is that the set list leans heavily on the band’s more recent works, with 2008’s The Art of War getting the most nods at five. The band’s 2016 album, The Last Stand and its follow-up, 2019’s The Great War get four nods each. Meanwhile, the band’s first two records, Primo Victoria (2004) and Attero Dominatus (2006) each get only one nod each here. Heroes (2014) is represented in this set list with three songs while Carolus Rex (2013) is represented through two songs. The band’s 2019 non-album single, ‘Bismarck’ is also here, bringing the set list’s total to 21 songs (22 if audiences count the “Drum-off” between Hannes Van Dahl and Daniel Mullback). That set list spans more than two hours. So again, considering that the band was celebrating its 20^th anniversary at this headlining show, the set list is impressive. It just would have been nice to have seen even more diversity in the set list to even more fully represent the band’s body of work.

Much of the set list featured in the band’s 20^th Anniversary concert is also featured in the set list for the second concert in the band’s new live box set, The Great Show. In the case of this concert’s set list, the list is shorter, featuring 17 songs instead of the more than 20 that make up the other concert’s set list. So while audiences get many of the same songs between the set lists, there is at least some variance between the two lists. To that end, the set lists are certain to entertain a wide range of Sabaton’s established fan base.

The set lists featured in each of the band’s concerts form a strong foundation for this collection’s presentation and are just one part of what makes the set worth experiencing. The band’s performance thereof is of its own note. That is because of the energy that the band exudes throughout the course of each concert. There is some banter between the band and audience in each show, but for the most part, the band lets its performances do the talking. The audience fully feeds off of the band’s energy, which is clearly exhibited in the concerts’ production. That item will be discussed a little later. Getting back on the subject at hand, even the mostly minimalist use of the pyro throughout the shows plays into the band’s performance, too. Yes, pyro is used, but the band uses it tastefully, again, letting its performance take center stage. As a result, the band’s talents and abilities are put that much more on display, making the overall performances that much more engaging and entertaining. When this is considered along with the appeal ensured through the concerts’ set lists, the whole makes the collection all the more appealing for the noted audiences. It is just one more part of what makes the collection a piece that said audiences will welcome, too. The noted production rounds out the collection’s most important elements.

The production presented in each concert puts the finishing touch to the collection’s overall presentation. The concerts’ production is worth noting because it gives audiences something more than just a pair of typical concert experiences. Rather, there are certain fade effects, shots, and angles that really give the concerts a semi-cinematic sense. From the wide aerial shots showing the immensity of the crowd at Wacken, to the black-and-white effect used in portions of the band’s show in Prague, to the various angles used in the on-stage and crowd shots, and the connected fade effects, the production gives audiences at home the best seat in the house. What’s more, each concert’s audio makes for its own appeal within each concert. Audiences get the full concert effect (especially those with home theater systems) with all of the subtle echoes balanced with the crown noise and balance in the vocals and instrumentation. All things considered here, the production presented in each concert is just as laudable as the set lists and the band’s performances thereof. It completes the concerts’ presentation and shows that much more what Sabaton’s most diehard fans have to expect from these concerts.

Satabton’s recently released live collection, The 20^th Anniversary Show/The Great Show is a presentation that the band’s most devoted audience base will appreciate. That is proven in part through its featured set lists. The set lists are largely the same from one to the next. The first concert’s set list is a career-spanning presentation, even though it tends to lean more heavily on the band’s more recent albums than its earlier records. The second concert’s set list mirrors that of the first set list for the most part. Considering the set lists were part of concerts that were part of the same tour, that is not surprising. The band’s performance of said set lists adds its own enjoyment to the whole. That is because of the energy that the band exudes through out concert. The band feeds off of that energy and gives it right back to the band. The result is that all involved fully enjoy the show, and leave audiences at home enjoying just as much as the band and those who were there at the concerts. The production puts the final touch to the presentation, giving home viewers the best seat in the hose, what with the expert audio and video mixes. Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of the collection. All things considered, they make the set a mostly successful new presentation that, again, Sabaton’s most devoted audiences will enjoy.

The 20^th Anniversary Show/The Great Show was released Nov. 19 in limited quantities. Very limited quantities of the collection might still be available. More information on Sabaton’s new live collection and forthcoming album 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

Sabaton Announces Details For New Limited Edition Double Live Recording

Posted on November 8, 2021 by philspicks

Sabaton will bring its live show to audiences at home next week.

The band announced Monday, it will release its new double live recording, The 20th Anniversary Show/The Great Show Nov. 19 through Nuclear Blast Records. The limited edition release features two concerts that were recorded during Sabaton’s 2019-20 “The Great Tour” global run. The tour was in support of the band’s then latest album, The Great War.

Pre-orders are open. A trailer for the release is streaming here.

The band’s 20th Anniversary concert was captured Aug. 1, 2019 at the Wacken Open Air Festival. The performance and date are ironic because the date marked the band’s 30th anniversary. The Great Show was captured Jan. 6, 2020 at the band’s sold-out performance at the O2 arena in Prague.

Each of the concerts featured in the box set is limited to a total of 9,000 copies worldwide. The box set in whole is limited to only 5,000 copies. The box set in whole features a building blocks version of Sabaton’s stage setup that allows fans to build the stage themselves.

The track listing for each concert is noted below.

Track listing for “The 20th Anniversary Show” (Wacken)

Ghost Division

Winged Hussars

Resist and Bite

Fields of Verdun (with Thobbe Englund)

Shiroyama (with Thobbe Englund)

The Red Baron

The Price of a Mile

Bismarck

The Lion From The North

Carolus Rex

40:1

The Last Stand

The Lost Battalion

Drum Battle (Hannes Van Dahl vs. Daniel Mullback)

Far From The Flame

Panzerkampf

Night Witches

The Art of War

82nd All The Way

Great War

Attero Dominatus

Encore:

Primo Victoria

Swedish Pagans (with Tina Guo)

To Hell And Back (with Tina Guo)

Track listing for “The Great Show” (Prague)

Ghost Division

Great War

The Attack Of The Dead Men

Seven Pillars of Wisdom

The Los Battalion

The Red Baron

The Last Stand

Far from the Flame

Night Witches

Angels Calling (with Apocalyptica)

The Price Of A Mile (with Apocalyptica)

The Lion From The North (with Apocalyptica)

Carolus Rex (with Apocalyptica)

Encore:

Primo Victoria

Bismarck

Swedish Pagans

To Hell And Back

In other news, Sabaton is working on the follow-up to The Great War. The new record is titled The War To End All Wars. Album Pre-orders are open now. The War To End All Wars is scheduled for release March 4, 2022 through Nuclear Blast Records.

The band premiered the lead single from its forthcoming album Oct. 29 in the form of ‘Christmas Truce.’ The band premiered the song’s epic, cinematic video the same day.

‘Christmas Truce’ is centered on the timeless, real life story of the Christmas 1914 truce between Axis and Allied forces in World War I. It was on this day that the forces fighting one another took a single day — Christmas Day — to stop fighting and actually come together. The video, shot in the Czech Republic, follows that story, bringing it to life. The band stars in the story, with each playing the part of a soldier. The cinematic style presentation is just as gripping as any major blockbuster war movie that was ever been made.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Christmas Truce’ is everything that audiences have come to expect, what with the power metal approach. At the same time, the song boasts its own identity. That unique identity includes what is clearly a reference to the timeless Christmas song, ‘Carol of the Bells.’

Bassist Par Sundstrom, who also developed the video’s story according to the video’s credits (yes, it comes complete with credits just like a movie), discussed the song in a prepared statement.

“‘Christmas Truce’ was our highest priority when we decided to write songs about World War One,” said Sundstrom. “Not only was it the most requested topic from our fans, but it was, for us, the most emotional story from the war. This song took us years to create since we wanted the music to reflect the mood honesty, and it was a big challenge; but we feel we managed to write a song that captures the spirit of that day, over a century ago.”

The War To End All Wars will feature 11 new songs, all of which are noted below along with the formats on which the record will release.

The tracklist for The War To End All Wars is as follows:

1. Sarajevo

2. Stormtroopers

3. Dreadnought

4. The Unkillable Soldier

5. Soldier Of Heaven

6. Hellfighters

7. Race to the Sea

8. Lady Of The Dark

9. The Valley Of Death

10. Christmas Truce

11. Versailles

“The War To End All Wars” will be available in the following formats:

– Jewelcase CD

– Limited Gold CD [Supporter Edition – various versions with translated booklets]

– History Edition

– NB Mailorder Exclusive Edition [ltd. to 1500 copies]

– Earbook [limited to 6000 copies]

– Black Vinyl

– Azure Blue Vinyl [bandshop exclusive, ltd. to 300 copies]

– Inca Gold Vinyl [bandshop exclusive, ltd. to 500 copies]

– Copper Vinyl [ltd. to 500 copies]

– Fluorescent Orange Vinyl [ltd. to 500 copies]

– Leaf Green Vinyl [Sweden exclusive]

– Fluorescent Yellow Vinyl [Ginza exclusive]

– Dusk Vinyl [Levik exclusive]

– Soft Grey Vinyl [Nordics exclusive]

– Lavender Vinyl [FNAC exclusive]

– Rosewood Vinyl [Mystic exclusive]

– Fluorescent Green Vinyl [UK exclusive]

– Pacific Blue Vinyl

– Polar White Vinyl [limited to 300 copies]

– Dewdrop Vinyl [limited to 500 copies, EMP exclusive]

– Blue cassette [limited to 100 copies, bandshop exclusive]

– Green cassette [limited to 100 copies]

– Grey cassette [limited to 300 copies]

– Red cassette [limited to 500 copies]

– Black cassette [limited to 250 copies]

– Smokey cassette [limited to 200 copies]

– White cassette [limited 100 copies]

In even more news, the band premiered a standalone single, ‘Steel Commanders’ and a companion video in August. The premiere was followed with the debut of an official lyric video for the song in late September.

More information on Sabaton’s new album announcement 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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