SABATON @ THE CITY NATIONAL GROVE, ANAHEIM, CA (05.11.17)

Written by Matthew Belter

“SABATON’s brand of ‘no-frills’ melodic metal may not be for everybody, but walking away from Thursday night’s performance I was convinced otherwise. Their music was powerful, their lyrics were meaningful, and their performance was heartfelt. I’m definitely in the SABATON Army now!”

SABATON may be one of the most killer foreign bands touring the states this year. Inspired by power metal and fused with progressive undertones, this talented quintet from Sweden have taken the states by storm on their current tour in support of their 2016 release, The Last Stand. If you have never listened to SABATON, they truly are an amazing band. Their distinct sound is like no other on the scene today - fusing traditional rock and melodic metal with lyrical themes that focus on war and historical battles throughout time. SABATON is fresh, powerful, and unmistakable.

On Thursday May 11^th, SABATON took over The City National Grove in Anaheim, CA for night of musical mayhem that challenged the mind and inspired the soul. Whether you were a long-time follower of the band or just started listening to their music, there was something for everyone who attended the show on Thursday evening. Kicking off the evening was a German-Norwegian symphonic metal band that goes by the name, LEAVES’S EYES. Elina Siirala and Alexander Krull’s energy was infectious and easily fired up the Orange County crowd. These guys brought their “A-Game” to Anaheim and were super impressive top to bottom. Next up was BATTLE BEAST. This Finnish metal powerhouse took it up a notch with a sound so fierce (and yet so beautiful) it left little to be desired. Noora Louhimo’s voice was amazing and haunted me long after the 8-song set was complete.

After a short break, SABATON took the stage and immediately spun the near-capacity crowd into hyper-drive with their first tracks of the night, "Ghost Division" and "The Art of War". These were in my opinion the perfect songs to kick off the show and set the stage for an amazing night of metal in the OC. Next up was "Blood of Bannockburn” off their 2016 album, The Last Stand. Probably one of my favorite SABATON songs and took energy levels to a whole new level down in the pit. For the next hour and a half, frontman Joakim Brodén and company absolutely killed it with thirteen more tracks that spanned their entire 8-disc catalog. Throughout the show, SABATON’s amazing chemistry was showcased by an unbelievable group of musicians including the ever-talented Hannes Van Dahl on Drums, Chris Rörland and Tommy Johansson on Guitar, and Pär Sundström on Bass. I am sure it's not easy to pull off a show like this with so much talent on stage at any given time, but this band does it in fine fashion. SABATON wrapped up their powerful set with a four-song encore including "Night Witches”, Primo Victoria”, Shiroyama”, and “To Hell and Back”. Simply electrifying ending to a surgically precise 15-song set of unabridged metal mayhem in Anaheim, CA.

If you have not seen SABATON live, you are missing out on one of the most talented bands on the metal scene today. Brodén’s voice sounded remarkable from start to finish, and the musicianship of Van Dahl, Rörland, Johansson, and Sundström were second to none. SABATON’s brand of “no-frills” melodic metal may not be for everybody, but walking away from Thursday night’s performance I was convinced otherwise. Their music was powerful, their lyrics were meaningful, and their performance was heartfelt. I am definitely in the SABATON Army now! Until next time…

For more information on SABATON and their 2017 World Tour, please click HERE.

Stay Frosty and Rock On!

Setlist

“In the Army Now” (Recording)

“The March to War” (Recording)

“Ghost Division”

“The Art of War”

“Blood of Bannockburn”

"Attero Dominatus”

“The Last Stand”

“Swedish Pagans”

“40:1”