

When it was released as a single, the reaction was quite polarized with a section of the fans displeased by the classic rock influences and the happy feel of the track. The huge singalong choruses are still there, but a song like “Blood of Bannockburn” (about the First War of Scottish Independence) adds bagpipes and Hammond organ, and, as it turns out, is their first song in a major key. Who says you never learn anything listening to metal? Sparta (think “300”), Samurais, Afghanistan, Serbia, Vietnam… this record will have you hitting Wikipedia to learn more about all these historical events. While “The Last Stand” is not a concept album per se, each song ties into the idea of armies making a desperate last attempt at victory. It’s arguably their best record yet, and their most consistent from front to back. It’s a record that finds the band stretching its musical vocabulary slightly while retaining the elements that made its sound. (Gonna spark some controversy there.) It was an incredible album, and I had the opportunity to see both songs that I love from this album live last year.Sweden’s Sabaton is back with “The Last Stand”, its 8th studio album. I also especially love their cover of Rammstein's "Feuer frei!", and to be perfectly honest, I prefer the cover more than the original song. What's also cool about it is they made an entirely Swedish translated album, going back to their nation's roots. The album's lyrics are about the rise and fall of the Swedish Empire during the 17th and early 18th centuries. This album actually has some of my favorite tracks on it, i.e. In The Army Now (Bolland & Bolland cover) Twilight Of The Thunder God (Amon Amarth cover)ġ3. Interesting fact about the album though, Sabaton actually recorded it in 2002, but their original record label (Underground Symphony) withheld it from them for years until arrangements were made with Black Lodge Records to sign over rights to it.ġ2. I like that although the band is historical, they can still point out corruption in society and organized religion. I do however feel like the album had a few songs with good messages, such as "Burn Your Crosses" which talks about how the the Catholic Church opposed individual and free thinking. There's not much diversity in my opinion, and the only redeeming quality I feel this album has would be "Shadows" (which about the Nazgul from Lord Of The Rings), Speeder and their cover of Judas Priest's "Jawbreaker." not to say it's horrible, but I feel like all of the songs just. This album would most definitely be my least favorite.
