REVIEW: Sabaton – Legends Marches Through the Ages of Myth
Swedish power metal juggernauts Sabaton return with Legends, their eleventh studio album and perhaps their most ambitious release to date. Set for release on October 17 2025, this record continues their tradition of blending heavy metal with historical storytelling. This time, however, they go beyond recounting battles and delve into the lives and legacies of some of history’s most enduring and controversial figures.
From the very first notes of Templars, Legends sets the stage for an album filled with anthemic battle cries, cinematic arrangements, and the signature Sabaton flair for epic storytelling. Drawing on the legacy of the Knights Templar, the song opens the door to a wide range of historical tales that span continents and centuries.
One of the standout moments comes with Crossing the Rubicon, a powerful track about Julius Caesar’s bold and irreversible decision to march on Rome. Featuring guest vocals from Jonny Hawkins of Nothing More and a searing guitar performance by Mark Vollelunga, the song blends modern intensity with historical drama. Their contributions add an extra layer of energy and emotion, making it one of the most dynamic tracks on the album.
Legends also represents a major turning point for Sabaton as a band. For the first time in their career, every member contributed to the songwriting process. The result is a record that feels unified yet creatively expansive. The production is crisp and clear. The riffs are sharper than ever. The melodies are grand and unforgettable.
The album features stories about legendary figures including Joan of Arc, Napoleon Bonaparte, Senuret III, Miyamoto Musashi, and Genghis Khan. From templars to tyrants, each song carries a distinct tone and musical identity while remaining anchored in Sabaton’s core sound.
For me, the most impactful track is Impaler, a heavy and haunting tribute to Vlad III of Wallachia. Rather than portraying him purely as a monster, the song honors his role as a fierce protector of his homeland. Embracing the title of The Dragon, Vlad is cast as a ruthless yet patriotic defender of Wallachia. The music is dark and commanding, perfectly matching the complexity of his legacy.
Another highlight comes at the very end with Till Seger, the album’s closing track. Sung entirely in Swedish, the song is a powerful tribute to King Gustavus Adolphus, who ruled Sweden from 1611 and led the nation through a period of military transformation and expansion during the Thirty Years’ War. Known as the father of modern warfare, Gustavus Adolphus is honored here with proud and thunderous instrumentation. The song’s title translates to To Victory, and its lyrics and delivery evoke national pride while paying homage to one of Sweden’s most revered historical leaders. It is a fitting conclusion to an album centered on legends who changed the course of history.
Legends is not just a continuation of what Sabaton has done before. It is a bold evolution that raises the bar for historical metal. By shifting focus from wars to the people who shaped them, the band brings a new emotional depth to their music while still delivering the powerful energy fans expect. It is an album built for arenas but rooted in the real life legends that defined human history.
Legends track listing:
- Templars
- Hordes of Khan
- A Tiger Among Dragons
- Crossing the Rubicon
- I, Emperor
- Maid of Steel
- Impaler
- Lightning at the Gates
- The Duelist
- The Cycle of Songs
- Till Seger
Collectors and fans will also want to take note of the album’s extensive release formats. Legends will be available across various different physical editions, including standard CD, a 2 CD digibook, and a deluxe 2 CD earbook edition that includes the exclusive Storyteller Edition. For vinyl enthusiasts, the album is launching with 11 unique vinyl editions, each one dedicated to a legendary figure from the album. Among these are the Hannibal Edition and the Miyamoto Musashi Edition, tied directly to the songs Lightning at the Gates and The Duelist respectively. Each vinyl features exclusive artwork and color designs. Additional exclusive vinyl colors and a limited box set are also being released, with the box set including the 2 CD earbook, an exclusive vinyl color, and a colored cassette as a rare format.
Pre-orders for Legends are available at
https://sabaton.lnk.to/legendsbio