At the beginning of this month we look at Sabaton’s classic album, Primo Victoria. An undeniably fantastic release, the band didn’t rest on their laurels. They kept on going, releasing ass-kicking after ass-kicking album. 2016, however, might have been their most ass-kicking year ever, release their most potent record ever. A record with some of the most remarkable stories they’ve told. So get behind cover, be sure that your gun is loaded, and get ready for a look at last year’s phenomenal The Last Stand. Let the review begin!
Background
After the recruitment of new band members, and the release of an awesome record in 2014 (More on that soon), Sabaton had a new lease on life at a time where it might have looked like they were going to collapse. With the new crew in tow, the rest of the 2010s seemed ripe for conquest, and on August the 12th of 2016 the world was given perhaps the band’s most strongest offering to date, and it’s name was The Last Stand. Another concept record in a small list, The Last Stand bases itself on some of the biggest “Last Stand” defensive battles throughout history. Reaching no. 1 on Sweden’s Sverigetopplistan music chart, The Last Stand actually had fluctuating views throughout the world. Many liked the album & praised it, but numerous others didn’t like it & criticized it hardcore.
Basic Description
No finality with this album!
Despite being call The Last Stand, it’s obvious that Sabaton aren’t going anywhere with this record. Having been around for nearly 2 decades, the band have only gotten stronger with time. Despite some small moments of experimentation, their 2016 offering is still firmly rooter in their unique brand of military-themed Power Metal, and I love it! All of the band members are on point with their instrumentation, and Joakim is just perfect with his singing. He never comes across as even remotely depressed or sad: his words somehow brimming with the essence of pure hope. No other band in history as made me laugh or smile like Sabaton, and I’m eternally grateful.
Best Track
For a while I was a fan of the first 3 singles that were released (The Lost Battalion, Blood of Bannockburn, Shiroyama), and they spoke of some impressive battles (Meuse-Argonne Offensive & the 9 companies of the 77th Battalion, Battle of Bannockburn, Battle of Shiroyama). However, it wasn’t until the 4th single, which ultimately became the beginning track of The Last Stand, that I really got interested. Normally I’d talk about it in detail, but I think you should just give it a listen. Don’t want to spoil it for you.
Sparta
My 2nd favorite track goes to the land of Africa, and the battlefield of Rorke’s Drift. An energetic & intense song that never lets up, the song details the battle in which 139 to 141 British troops (Along with 11 colonial troops & 4 civilians that were on site) faced off against 3000 to 4000 Zulu warriors. You’d think with numbers like that the British would have been slaughtered, but somehow only 17 soldiers of their group, and they managed to defeat the massive Zulu force.
Rorke’s Drift
And while it’s not completely musical, I am impressed with the running time of each song. With only 3 exceptions (4 if you count one of the bonus tracks), every other track runs in the 3-minute range. Including the Japanese exclusive bonus track (A cover of Twisted Sister’s classic tune Burn in Hell), and you have an album that plays for nearly 45 minutes. It’s a pretty hefty record if you include all the bonus songs, and even if you don’t, there’s still a lot of meat on this offering.
Worst Track
I’ll talk about this again soon, but if there was one thing wrong with The Last Stand (And perhaps 2 or 3 of their previous releases), it would be how tightly formed it is. Their earlier albums were more loosely organized, and due to this gives more of the impression of the chaos of war. The Last Stand comes across as more formal with how it’s tracks are listed, and how tight it’s theme is. War doesn’t truly have rules, and maybe Sabaton’s releases shouldn’t as well.
Other
If you’re interested in listening to this album, check out the link below:
The Last Stand
Overall Impression & Rating
The Last Stand is just further proof that Sabaton know what the hell they’re doing. They’re devoted to the ways of Power Metal, but equally devoted to telling the stories of incredible battles and the amazing individuals therein. The incredible battles that The Last Stand talk about add further to this incredible legacy that Sabaton have made for themselves, and it something you should listen to.
The Last Stand gets a 10 out of 10. Trust me, it deserves that score!
So that was my 2nd look at Sabaton’s discography, checking out the fantastic The Last Stand. Another tour de force for this band, it’s records like this that keep me interested. I’ll see all of you next week, when I’ve give you the lowdown on Sabaton entirely. Until then, may you be successful in your own last stand!
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