A scientist to be able to understand a part of the world must make endless observations and analyses of what he sees.
On the other hand, a philosopher does not need “observation”, as he sees the whole universe in insignificant, for some, things.
Their main difference is that the scientist must “scan” all grains of sand, to give a definition.
While for a philosopher all it takes is a grain, in order to perceive the whole universe.
These two approaches do not rival each other, as some argue, but complement each other.
The same holds true for music. A simple “like” is enough and no endless analysis is needed.
In cooking the phrase applies: Simplicity is the culmination of (delicious) creation. ”
As we have said before, our love of food contains childhood memories or more correctly… It’s created by them!
Our personal story is the one that brings both our taste and/or enjoyment.
Meatballs and Sabaton!
Sabaton is a band from which you expect no innovations, but fidelity to their sound.
Something like meatballs. You prefer them like your mom’s and after you eat one you know how the rest taste.
So are the songs of the Swedish band. From the first song, you know what you will hear on the rest of the album.
But what always excites our curiosity and love of learning is what story each song hides.
So are the meatballs that although they look alike, however, there are creative differences, which differ from house to house.
Τhe few notes can make the difference in a song, but the point always remains the same…
Especially from Joakim Brodén’s band: Clean and pure Power Metal and of course war themes!
Τhe Great War…
“The Great War“ is just that! But if we listen carefully, we’ll discover new elements in their sound.
Just like meatballs, where anyone can add small delicious touches.
“The Great War“ is a theme album and it is not difficult to understand its central axis, namely The First World War or else The Great War.
All meatballs have a basic ingredient, minced meat! Here, we’d prefer mixed, half pork and half lamb.
The other ingredients will be:
2-3 carrots, 3 large Portobello mushrooms, 2 medium onions, parsley, dill, 2 eggs, Vegeta, mustard, oregano, coriander powder, spicy boucovo, curry, coconut milk, honey, stale bread.
The Future of Warfare
The album’s first track starts with “The Future of Warfare” and refers to the Battle of Flers – Courcelette and the second Battle Villers-Bretonneux.
War tanks took part in both battles.
Flers – Courcelette is also the first war tank battle in blood-stained human history.
The song is exactly what we expect from the band, battles, pompous sound metal, and heavy guitars.
Α chorus that is easy to sing in live performances.
The addition of new guitarist Tommy Johansson becomes apparent from the first song, giving its mark.
At the same time, we cut the crust from the stale bread and dip it in the coconut milk, after slicing them into small pieces about 3cm.
We let them soak by putting on the second song on the album.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom
“Seven Pillars of Wisdom” is a clear reference to T. E. Lawrence, also known as “Lawrence of Arabia.”
Although the Englishman’s personality is controversial, the song has no nugget of doubt that we are listening Sabaton.
Joakim Brodén‘s vocals are well known and give an epic tone to the track, as also its chorus.
Tommy Johansson’s solos stand out again, taking us back to the ’80s.
Before moving on to the next song, we grate the carrots and put them in the pan with a little oil.
At the same time, we finely chop the onion and add it together with the carrots to deep fry, stirring regularly.
We cut the mushrooms into small cubes, add them along with the other ingredients.
Once sautéed, pour ouzo into the pan until the alcohol evaporates.
82nd All the Way
Then set aside to cool, listening to “82nd All the Way”.
A melody that resembles a pop-rock ’80s composition, but it doesn’t bother anyone.
Quite catchy, but I think it would be better for the Amaranthe, since it’s exactly their style.
The song refers to Alvin York Cullum, known as “Sergeant York”, perhaps the most iconic person, American origin, of the First World War.
The Attack of the Dead Men
“The Attack of the Dead Men” refers to the battle of Osowiec Fortress, in Northern Poland.
The battle is called just like the title of the song, from the look of the Russian soldiers, after their bombardment by the Germans, with chlorine and bromine.
Lethal gases, both of them. Lethal is also the tempo of the song where is taking us again back to the 80s.
The chorus stirs us up and reminds us of a war march. The solo also gives another acoustic to the song.
Pure, unrusted Metal that is hard for a power metal fan to overtake it.
As with meatballs, the process is now classic.
We add the ingredients to the minced meat and then add the drained bread.
The amount of spices is just a matter of taste.
Finally, two tablespoons, one honey, and one mustard are enough.
Devil Dogs
The next song is dedicated to the U.S. Navy Marines.
Specifically, “Devil Dogs” refers to the Battle of Belleau Wood.
Towards the end of the war, this battle was the largest US military victory so far, on foreign soil.
The title of the song refers to the nickname given to them by the Germans, “Teufelshunde” (“devil dogs”).
Because of the courage with which they fought.
As for the song, band’s trademark, with choral vocals that catch the listener’s attention.
The drummer is going all out, with… sweat. Once again, hiring the new guitarist seems to be a matte move.
Unlike the drummer, the now-prepared minced meat should be “rested” for half an hour, so that all the ingredients are properly absorbed.
The Red Baron
“The Red Baron”, tells the story of the “Red Baron” or Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen, ace of the skies.
Who came out victorious from 80 air battles, an unrealistic number for that time?
The song starts with an ecclesiastical instrument, creating a rather surprising, after the dynamism of the previous song.
Soon, however, is cranking up. Guaranteed hit, and “Higheeeeer” stamps in the listener’s ears from the first hearing.
Keys sound interesting, 70s style, reminding us a lot of Deep Purple in their glory.
Before you brag about the wonderful meatballs, there are two basic ways to fry them. One is with flour and the other with bread.
The Great War
The highlight of the album is the homonym “Great War”.
A song that refers to “Great War”, but more specifically stands in “Battle of Passchendaele” or “Third Battle of Ypres”.
Epic start of the song, with the choral vocals giving the track a different tune.
The chorus again stands out and stamps in our ears. The temp is lower while emphasizing the chorus.
This is also intended for a concert hit and of course, the solo once again is a buzzkill.
Ιf the meatballs are not tight enough, we add little breadcrumbs.
If we want to bread them, we first put them in flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs.
Follow this order strictly.
Then put them in a pan with already heated oil, I would suggest sesame oil.
A Ghost in the Trenches
At the same time as “A Ghost in the Trenches”, which refers to the native Canadian Francis Pegahmagabow.
This soldier is historically known as the most effective sniper of the First World War.
The song is not as impressive as the story of the specific soldier, but again the sound is pleasant, with the vocals having a narrative character.
Fields of Verdun
“Fields of Verdun” takes us to the end of the album and tells the “Battle of Verdun”.
It is the most famous battle of the First World War and the longest-lived (from February 1916 to December of the same year).
Despite France’s glory for its victory, the 250,000 dead and half a million wounded do not give any glory to the human race.
As for the song, it starts with a riff, which you can easily find in American bands of the most modern Metal.
Purely concert hit, with the chorus again gaining attention, suitable for headbanging.
The End of the War to End All Wars
Before the epic “The End of the War to End All Wars”, we clean the potatoes and fry them.
Quantity is a vague concept when it comes to FRENCH FRIES. The culmination of the meatball is its garnish.
This song is also the culmination of the album. On the edge of Symphonic Metal, every fan of the epic expression of this music shudders.
It refers to the civilian casualties of this war. Numbers that shudder, too.
Perhaps the most complex track of the album, starts with a sad piano sound, accompanied by a violin or cello, and quickly enters a majestic temp.
Joakim Brodén’s vocals create a sense of despair while the choir adds the required grandeur.
The solo, without special flares, goes hand in hand with the spirit of the whole composition.
Sadness, anger, despair …
In Flanders Fields
The coda (close-off a symphonic composition) of the album is “In Flanders Fields”.
A poem by the Canadian poet and soldier of The First World War, John McCrae.
Sung only by the choir, the album ends in the best way possible.
Some lyrics are enough to describe it
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Anyway, every album is a historical wandering.
The concert targeting of the compositions is also a matter for the band.
You do not expect anything different from them, but certainly, in their new release, they do some melodic, although small, innovations.
For Sabaton there is one and only precept: You like then or you don’t!
Everything else is just a story… A military story.