Photo by: Steve Bright
Official press release:
Sabaton — the #1 Global Power Metal Band and one of Sweden’s most successful bands—is ready to ignite a new era with the highly anticipated release of their 11th studio album Legends. It arrives October 17 via Better Noise Music and marks the band’s label debut. Pre-orders are available now HERE.
Throughout the aptly titled Legends, which blends rock and history for fans of all ages, Sabaton — Joakim Brodén (vocals), Pär Sundström (bass), Chris Rörland (guitar), Thobbe Englund (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums) — delve into some of history’s greatest and most loved characters such as Jeanne D’arc (also known as Joan of Arc), Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, and the legendary swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi.
As a special celebratory gift to their legions of loyal fans around the world, Sabaton — to coincide with the long-awaited announcement of their new album — is releasing not one, but two brand new songs from Legends, available today (July 25) on all digital outlets. Watch the lyric video for “The Duelist” and “Lightning at the Gates” below. Stream/download them HERE and HERE, respectively.
Legends will be available across various different physical formats and retailer exclusives including CD, 2 CD digibook, 2 CD earbook (both including the exclusive Storyteller Edition), 11 unique vinyl editions (including a special vinyl color and exclusive artwork each), additional exclusive vinyl colors and a limited box set (including another exclusive vinyl color, the 2 CD earbook, and a colored cassette as an exclusive format).
Amongst 11 unique vinyl editions, each one portraying one legendary figure, Legends will be available as the “Hannibal Edition” and the “Miyamoto Musashi Edition,” which are linked to today’s song releases for “Lightning at the Gates” (Hannibal) and “The Duelist” (Miyamoto Musashi). Pre-orders are available HERE.
Legends is a rock odyssey that transcends time and borders, with melodic guitar riffs, goosebump-inducing choirs, and epic choruses. It marks a bold evolution in storytelling, plunging headfirst into the heart of history’s most formidable and enigmatic figures. These are not just rock songs, they are battle hymns carved from the blood and legacy of warriors, kings, strategists, and revolutionaries.
It marks the very first time that every band member has come together to contribute to the songwriting process. This is Sabaton as you’ve never heard them before—relentless and unbound. Legends is a global journey through the annals of warfare, leadership and unbreakable will. Bassist Pär Sundström says:
“We can finally announce that our 11th studio album Legends is coming out on October 17th! 11 tracks that cover 11 iconic legendary stories. This time we look further back in history than we have been the past few years, going to times that I think are very exciting. As someone who’s always been into the history of the Middle Ages, knights and the legends of old, it felt incredible to finally bring those stories into the Sabaton universe.”
Singer Joakim Brodén says:
“Music collectors will be happy to hear that you are now able to pre-order our Legends album in all formats imaginable, including digital, CD, vinyl and a cassette tape that will be featured in a box set. Apart from the usual suspects, there are multiple cool editions available, and we have a bunch of cool vinyls, each corresponding to a legend.”
Bassist Pär Sundström continues:
“We’re all about telling stories through our songs, so we thought, why not do the same with our vinyls? Instead of just making them a cool color, we wanted them to actually tell a story too. That’s why we decided to name them after the legendary figures featured on the album. It just felt like the perfect way to make them more special. We hope all the physical music collectors out there love the concept! We took the idea from the community and tweaked it ourselves!”
Sabaton have always had a signature focus on writing songs about historical battles, wars, and acts of heroism that have solidified their impact with their loyal and longtime fans. They’ve collaborated closely with its network of specialists, developed over the years since the launch of the Sabaton History Channel on YouTube, to make sure this new album is once again as close to reality as possible.
Joakim Brodén continues:
“Legends have always been woven into our music, and the HEROES album is the perfect example of that! I’m incredibly proud of HEROES and everything it stands for, so Legends is just a natural next step. It’s like the story continues but goes way back in time. We’re excited to finally be taking our listeners on a new journey! Here’s to another chapter in Sabaton’s story!”
They continue to work with graphic artist Peter Sallai to create the striking album artwork, and producer Jonas Kjellgren is once again behind the boards from his Swedish Black Lounge Studios to create the classic Sabaton sound the band is now known for.
Two songs have already been released from Legends: “Hordes of Khan” and “Templars”:
Legends track listing:
- “Templars”
- “Hordes of Khan”
- “A Tiger Among Dragons”
- “Crossing the Rubicon”
- “I, Emperor”
- “Maid of Steel”
- “Impaler”
- “Lightning at the Gates”
- “The Duelist”
- “The Cycle of Songs”
- “Till Seger”
9/01 Perth, AU – Metro City
9/03 Adelaide, AU – Hindley Street Music Hall
9/05 Melbourne, AU – Margaret Court Arena
9/06 Sydney, AU – Hordern Pavillion
9/07 Brisbane. AU – Fortitude Music Hall
9/09 Auckland, NZ – Powerstation
9/10 Auckland, NZ – Powerstation
10/06 Istanbul, TR – Zorlu Performing Arts Center
10/08 Chișinău, MD – Chișinău Arena
10/10 Almaty, KZ – Baluan Sholak Arena
11/14 Cologne, DE – Lanxess Arena
11/15 Berlin, DE – Mercedes Benz Arena
11/16 Ostrava, CZ – Ostravar Arena
11/18 Zurich, CH – Hallenstadion
11/20 Munich, DE – Olympiahalle
11/21 Vienna, AT – Stadthalle
11/22 Krakow, PL – Tauron Arena
11/24 Stuttgart, DE – Schleyerhalle
11/25 Frankfurt, DE – Festhalle
11/26 Esch Sur Alzette, LU – Rockhal
11/28 Paris, FR – Accor Arena
11/29 Lyon, FR – LDLC Arena
12/01 Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
12/02 Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis
12/04 London, UK – The O2 Arena
12/05 Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
12/06 Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
12/08 Hannover, DE – ZAG Arena
12/09 Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena
12/11 Oslo, NO – Unity Arena
12/12 Gothenburg, SE – Scandinavium
12/13 Stockholm, SE – 3Arena