Coat of Arms

Sometimes it’s a hell of a thing when one judges a book by its cover and is proven wholly wrong. When you get a group with a specific name, at times you can assume, to a certain extent, how the group will sound, and if it turns out to be something completely different, it can be either fanciful or derisive (I’m reminded most of the monstrous black metal entity known as “MAGICAL MAN FROM HAPPY LAND”). I know it’s not right to do something like that, but it’s human nature to make snap assumptions…am I right, people?

And that was put to the test with this SABATON band…

When I first heard the name, for whatever reason I thought “black metal”, with plentiful bouts of monochromatic angst and many a fist shaken at God. What I got instead was a European-clad symphonic/melodic metal entity that relies on creating an epic feel by way of its combination of harmonics and heaviness. It took a bit of time to get into the scope of things, but when I did I was glad my interest held out. There’s a sense of fist-pumping majesty in SABATON’s latest, making one feel the compelling need to run headlong into the battles these guys seem hell-bent on fighting and ending up victorious, sword in hand, of course (guns aren’t metal! Remember that!). Stirring emotions of pride, energy and bursting power are in full swing with this 39 minute war plan, and thankfully done so with infectious melody as opposed to fist-pounding intensity like other acts of their lyrical ilk shoot for. There’re all sorts of goodies here in this multi-track foray into keyboard-laced, mid-paced insanity, where the overpowering, 80’s-sounding synth melodies, crushing guitar riffs, galloping drum work and monstrous choirs that make every other musical element present shine as nicely as can be. Sure, there are moments where everything sounds really over-the-top and a bit more fluffy and gentle considering the war-time vocal pandering (sometime it sounds like a growly singer somehow joined NIGHTWISH) but the end result makes for a finer listen than expected, and songs like “Coat of Arms”, “Screaming Eagles”, and “Wehrmacht” have what it takes to make sure you come back for seconds, and then some.

All in all SABATON lets loose a fine example of melodic, symphonic metal that somehow puts a pretty, glossy face on the worst thing ever to happen in the face of the world. If you like your power metal with that fine amount of fluff, then look no further.