Sabaton
The War To End All Wars – Nuclear Blast
Sweden’s Sabaton have built their career on themes of conflict so it’s no surprise their ninth album should be a concept revolving around World War I. What is surprising is that they keep putting a fresh spin on familiar themes and The War To End All Wars finds them marching forwards. From the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand to the Treaty Of Versailles a female narrator guides us through various blood soaked battlefields and, with each song told from a different perspective, creates a multi-faceted listen. The band deliver a warmongering sound and ‘Hellfighters’ wheels out the heavy artillery as drums fire with machine gun rapidity, guitars light up the night sky like white phosphorous flares and vocalist Joakim Brodén barking his lyrics as if a drill sergeant parading troops. It all adds up to an intense listen, but Sabaton are wise enough to inject a change of pace into their musical maelstrom and ‘Christmas Truce’ pauses hostilities and is unexpectedly tender. Final track ‘Versailles’ is full of soaring guitars and choral vocals and is suitably grandiose, it brings a sense of closure, but also hints at a coming storm.
Review by Peter Dennis