Swedish Power Metal band and military history enthusiasts, Sabaton have been gaining a lot of momentum in the American Metal scene. Currently on tour with Dutch Progressive Metal band, Revamp and American metal band, Iced Earth, Sabaton made a stop at the Palladium in Worcester, Mass. for the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival.

This year, the festival hosted heavyweight Metal bands such as Battlecross, Behemoth, All That Remains and Acacia Strain, who have been a mainstay in the New England Metal Scene for 16 years.

Starting with the crowd favorite opening track “Ghost Division,” a song about the German 7th Panzer Division during World War 2, the audience went into a flurry of excitement as they moshed and head banged their way through the opener. Their set list also contained a variety of songs from their six studio albums. These songs included “Gott Mitt Uns,” which portrays the battle of Breitenfeld in 1631  and “Carolus Rex”, which talks about Charles XII of Sweden off of their latest album titled, Carolus Rex. Other songs include the Sun Tzu themed ballad called “The Art of War,” Operation Overlord inspired song “Primo Victoria” and “Metal Crüe” were the crowd favorites of the set list, as the whole floor lit up in excitement by letting out a thunderous cheer to the song’s announcement. One of the more unexpected but phenomenal songs was the bouncy and catchy ballad of “To Hell and Back,” which tells the tale of WWII legend Audie Murphy. This newest single comes from their upcoming album, Heroes which hits stores May 27th.

A shorter set list than usual, Sabaton was only given 30 minutes on stage which left them enough time for roughly seven songs. Frontman, Joakim Brodén, however, ensured the crowd that they would not be left disappointed.

“We only have 9 minutes?” said Brodén four songs into their set list, “Well, then we are going to try and fit in few more songs for you all!”

By the end, fans were jumping, cheering, singing, and clapping in unison; ecstatic with the energy of the show.

Sabaton should be on anyone’s list of bands-to-see-live. The energy, the feeling of empowerment, and the existential bond that seems to form between Sabaton and their fans creates an unforgettable experience. Sabaton has left an everlasting positive impression upon the metal heads of the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival.

Alex Lindsay can be contacted at: [email protected]