JUDAS PRIEST & SABATON Bring Metal To Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota welcomed the heavy metal iconic band Judas Priest. Fans packed the venue to see a band with more than five decades of history that laid the foundation for a genre that refuses to die. The metal brigade from Sweden, Sabaton, once again opened up the show for the metal legends. 

Sabaton has been touring with Priest across the United States on the past few tours. The band is working hard to break through on American soil and based on the number of Sabaton shirts and people singing along to every song, that hard work has paid off. Lead vocalist Joakim Broden took control of the stage the moment he held the mic as he led a barrage of metal music that fans soaked up. Guitarists Thobbe Englund, who just returned to the band after leaving the in 2016, and Chris Rorland worked off each either in perfect unison while the rhythm section of bassist Par Sundstrom and drummer Hannes Van Dahl, who was once again perched on top of a tank, provided the thunder that is required for their music. Opening with “Ghost Division” the band ripped through an impressive twelve-song set that also included “The Last Stand,” “Stormtroopers,” “Resist and Bite” and “The Red Baron.” The lyrical themes are all based on historical battles and stories of heroism. The band dressed is in fatigues with microphone stands that have rifles and infantry helmets on them. I’ve seen these guys numerous times and they deliver a great show every time.  

The one and only Judas Priest took to the stage with the song ‘Panic Attack.’ It comes off the bands 19th album ‘Invincible Shield’ which was released a few months ago.  Rob Halford is the definition of a heavy metal singer and it is always an honor to see him on stage performing. It’s hard to believe he is 72 years old based on how strong his vocals were. He crushed though an eighteen-song set that stuck to the metal trademarks that they have encompassed for decades. His voice was great and he continued to hit the notes that have made him one of best singers in metal. The most obvious thing about a Judas Priest concert is the devotion the fans have towards them and the bond the band has created with the metal community. The second song of the set, the all-time great metal anthem, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” showcased that intensity of that connection as band and fans became one. That vibe, with every person at that venue singing every single word and the music pouring off the stage, was a moment in time where the genre of heavy metal is defined. The same could be said during “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight.”

I became a massive fan of the band with the release of ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ back in 1982 and then the follow-up ‘Defenders of the Faith’ in 1984. Along with Halfords vocals, it was the guitar duo of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing that harnessed that metal power that got my attention. Sadly, neither one was on stage but just because the faces have changed, it doesn’t mean the music has. Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap handled the guitar duties and both kept the sound true to form. Ian Hill on bass is the sole continuous member of the band and has appeared on every studio album. He is unassuming as he stands behind the guitarists but always lays down that low end so those dueling guitars can shine. Drummer Scott Travis has been a member of the band since 1989. He debuted on the album ‘Painkiller’ in 1990 and continues to be the powerhouse that keeps the band tight. Highlights for me included “Love Bites” and “Devil’s Child” while “Electric Eye” remains my all-time favorite Judas Priest song. I couldn’t ask for much more from another great show from Judas Priest. They played the classics, hit on some deeper cuts and then some of the newer material that shines right along side the vintage songs. Another great night of music and hopefully they come back in the very near future.

SABATON & HAMMERFALL Bring Plenty Of Firepower To Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

 

“The Great Tour” came to the Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota with plenty of firepower for the sold out venue. Sabaton and HammerFall, both hailing from Sweden, have a tremendous following with passionate fans that hung on every song throughout the night. Continue reading

CORRODED Bring The Heat With “Bitter”- Album Review

Swedish hard rockers Corroded are back with their fifth album, Bitter, out via Despotz Records. Since 2009, Corroded has been the backdrop of many forms of media, having the music featured in Sweden’s 2009 season of Survivor and the video game Battlefield Play4Free. Taking influences from Black Sabbath and Machine Head, Corroded have hard-hitting riffs that memorable and combined with Jen Westlin’s vocals make crowd-pleasing anthems. Since their last release, Defcon Zero, Corroded has played all across Europe, selling out shows with Pain as well as their own headlining tour. Playing massive crowds at Sabaton Open Air, Skogsröjet and Sweden Rock Festival, where they broke records as the largest crowd at the 4 Sound Stage

Corroded pride themselves as being brothers, a family unit that works together to put music out into the ether. According to Westlin, “It’s what has gotten us where we are today – we never give up – despite setbacks that have hit us like a fist to the face we get up and use that as inspiration to create new music.” says Westlin, “Our background is in the working class which is reflected in our music. The fact that we’ve had to struggle with various setbacks to get where we are today has given us thicker skin and shines through in our music.” This album leans a little more on the heavier side than their previous work. A lot of their influences blend well together, finding a blend of European power metal with Southern American spices spread throughout. The album starts with an intro track, something that is a bit dated now but can be easily hand waived. No harm, no foul. But the second track, “Breathing”, you see the unity this band has through their music. Each bringing their own to this song, especially Guitarist Tomas Andersson. The main riff is very catchy and gets rhythm support by Per Solang (drums) and Bjarne Elvsgard (bass). This album is full of great battle anthems, something they excel at, like “Testament”. Full of chanting vocals, this is sure to become a fan favorite in their setlist. This is paired well with the follow-up track, “Scream”; Catchy choruses seem to be their bread and butter. The fastest track, “Destruction”, is a great biker rock anthem. That ended up becoming my personal favorite, featuring Westlin’s diverse vocal talent. 

This is a very accessible band for fans of hard rock who are maybe looking for something a little heavier at the summer festival. With chanty choruses, I can see many beer glasses raised in Corroded’s honor. Bitter is a good track for your summer is available now! Corroded is Jens Westlin(Lead Vocals), Tomas Andersson (Guitars), Bjarne Elvsgard  (Bass), Per Solang (Drums). To keep up with them, follow them on Facebook and their website

SABATON, KREATOR & CYHRA Dominate Silver Spring, MD [Review & Photo Gallery]

Kreator

Sabaton, Kreator and Cyhra recently kicked off their North American tour and finally it reached the Washington DC/Baltimore area last Wednesday night.  This show in Silver Spring was one of the last ones of the North American tour, the wait was grueling. This is a tour I have been waiting to cover for a while, firstly because I am a huge fan of both bands, and secondly Sabaton is a great band to photograph.  I haven’t attended any show since Trans Siberian Orchestra in November, so I was extremely excited to be surrounded by metal heads. Let me dive into the review now, you can check out the photo gallery at the bottom of the page. 

Continue reading

SABATON & KREATOR Announce North American Co-Headliner Tour!

 

Swedish power metal champions, Sabaton and German thrash metal titans, Kreator team up for an epic North American co-headlining tour for early 2018. The Nuclear Blast label mates will be kicking off the outing on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at The Van Buren in Phoenix, Arizona and finally wrapping up at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Along the way, the two metal juggernauts will hit several other US and Canadian cities during the 24-date schedule. Continue reading

Live Review: SABATON, LEAVES’ EYES, BATTLE BEAST In Silver Springs, MD [Photo Gallery]

Sabaton

 

The Last Tour by Swedish power metal band Sabaton finally came to the Washington DC/Baltimore area last Monday night on the last show of their North American tour. This is a tour I have been waiting to cover for a while primary due to my obsession with military history, and history in general. And on top of that one of the supporting bands was Battle Beast and Leaves’ Eyes, possibly my favorite symphonic metal band. The last album released by Sabaton, ‘The Last Stand’, after which this tour was named, was very well received by fans and critics alike. Additionally, I had seen some phenomenal concert photographs of Sabaton clicked by some of my mentors and was raring to photograph this show. Let me dive in to the review now, you can check out the photographs at the bottom of the page. Continue reading

Odyssey’s 25 Best Albums Of 2016

Continue reading

Review Of Sabaton’s Masterpiece: ‘The Last Stand’

Sabaton_-_The_Last_Stand_cover

Sabaton is:

Joakim Brodén: vocals and keyboards

Pär Sundström: bass and backing vocals

Chris Rörland: guitar and backing vocals

Thobbe Englund: guitar and backing vocals (recently replaced by Tommy Johansson )

Hannes van Dahl: drums

Rob Halford: guest vocals on “All Guns Blazing

Recorded April – May 2016, Abyss Studios, Sweden

Peter Tägtgren: Producer

Sabaton’s eighth album “The Last Stand” was recently released on the Nuclear Blast record label and sets a new standard for Progressive Power Metal. This is another of Sabaton’s signature, history based concept albums and does not disappoint. Intelligent, well thought out and brilliantly written, “The Last Stand” is a formidable album following the critic and fan acclaimed “Heroes” in 2014. This is growth in a very positive direction.

Continue reading