Sabaton Assaults Place Bell in Laval [Photos]

Regular citizens taking public transport on Friday encountered an unusual sight. They could be forgiven for thinking that a military operation was taking place. The metro car that I was in carried several people in military fatigues to Place Bell in Laval. Though they also had some very nonmilitary haircuts. No, the army had not been deployed. Sabaton was in town.

Known for their songs about historical events and battles, Sabaton are something special. They also fill the stage with enough firepower to defend a small country. Several large objects hidden under tarps on the stage caught the eye. Those of us who have seen the band perform before had a pretty good idea what was hiding under them.

Pop Evil treated us to a set before the unveiling. They say that evil lurks in the shadows. For most of their set, Pop Evil did too. The stage was an atmospheric delight, featuring harsh colours and short blasts of light. It fit the music well. “Trenches,” “Deathwalk,” and “Wishful Thinkin” opened their set. The trifecta of songs had the fans banging their heads.

I had never seen Pop Evil perform before, but I loved the show. Singer Leigh Kakaty was a vocal force. Whether bathed in light or silhouetted in the shadows, his roar was unmistakable. Bassist Joey “Chicago” Walser was a blast to watch, too. He ran and leapt across the stage like a man possessed, while also driving the pulsating beats of Pop Evil’s songs. They were terrific.

To the surprise of few, under the mysterious tarp sat a gigantic tank. Sabaton fired the opening salvos with “Ghost Division.” Blasts of pyro lit up the arena while the pounding of the drums rattled the rafters. The assault continued by sea with “Yamato” and by air with “The Red Baron.”

With his reflective glasses and chest plate, singer Joakim Brodén ruled the stage like a battlefield. Barking out lyrics, as opposed to orders, in his unique voice. The twin guitars of Chris Rörland and Thobbe Englund are a musical force that never disappoints, and the soul of the group, bassist Pär Sundström, displayed his eternal smile through all of the mayhem. Pär even apologized to the crowd for the hand injury that delayed this tour earlier this year.

The fireworks and bombast took a short break for “Christmas Truce.” Before the song, Pär asked the crowd to turn on their cell phone lights. Place Bell was alight once more. The battle continued on with a personal favourite, “Bismarck,” before the show came to another explosive end with “To Hell and Back.”

Sabaton has found a unique niche in the metal world. One I, as a history fan, really enjoy. Tales of Caesar, Napoleon, and Genghis Khan. Stories and horrors from the battlefields of time. All mixed together with guitars, drums and explosions. I’ve seen it before, and I still look forward to seeing it again. Sabaton’s “Legends On Tour” show runs until December.