Published: October 18, 2025
A cinematic metal odyssey inspired by the warriors, leaders and legends who shaped human history.
For over two decades, Sabaton have marched through metal with a mission unlike any other band: turn history into heavy metal myth. With their new 11th studio album
This time, the band builds the album around an epic concept: eleven historical figures, each one chosen for shaping the world through strategy, courage or raw force of will. These are not songs, these are stories forged in metal, told with Sabaton’s signature cinematic fire.
History Reforged in Metal
Across the album, Sabaton explore characters as feared as they are fascinating:
Napoleon Bonaparte – the tactician who rose from soldier to emperor
Joan of Arc – the warrior who led an army guided by faith
Genghis Khan – conqueror of empires and architect of military dominance
Hannibal – the general who crossed the Alps to defy Rome
Julius Caesar – the man who rewrote the fate of Rome
Vlad the Impaler – ruler, executioner and legend behind Dracula
This album isn’t just about battles, it’s about human legacy. Sabaton go deeper into the individuals behind the myths, exploring conviction, ambition and consequence. Whether you see these historical figures as heroes or tyrants, Sabaton turn each story into anthemic metal drama.
The Single: “I, Emperor”:
The album is introduced by the powerful new single “I, Emperor”, inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte. It’s Sabaton at full strength, proud melodies, commanding choirs and battle-charged dynamics.
Frontman Joakim Brodén explains:
“Epic battles, bold moves and a rise from nothing to emperor. Napoleon is straight up legendary and his story is basically built for a Sabaton song.”
Bassist Pär Sundström adds:
“This one’s got that anthem energy. We could feel it the moment we worked on it — fans were asking for Napoleon, and here it is.”
Tracklist – Legends (2025)
1 Templars - Knights Templar
2 Hordes of Khan - Genghis Khan
3 A Tiger Among Dragons - Lü Bu
4 Crossing the Rubicon - Julius Caesar
5 I, Emperor - Napoleon Bonaparte
6 Maid of Steel - Joan of Arc
7 Impaler - Vlad the Impaler
8 Lightning at the Gates - Hannibal
9 The Duelist - Miyamoto Musashi
10 The Cycle of Songs - Pharaoh Senusret III
11 Till Seger - King Gustav II Adolf
You can watch the official video here.
Sound & Direction
Legends sounds massive. The production is built for arenas, layered vocals, war-march drums and riffs that carry dramatic force. Sabaton aren’t trying to reinvent themselves. Instead, they refine their identity: power metal with cinematic purpose. This is storytelling with steel, made for massive crowds and historical obsession.
A United Band – A Clear Vision
For the first time in their career, all five members of Sabaton contributed creatively to the songwriting process. The result is a record that feels larger and more unified like a team that knows exactly who they are and where they’re going.
Sabaton will support Legends with a major world tour in 2025–2026, continuing their reign as one of metal’s most dominant live acts.
Rockum Take
Sabaton never tried to please everyone and Legends proves they don’t need to. This is an album of conviction, identity and scale. Historic. Melodic. Unapologetically Sabaton.
Whether you love or dismiss Sabaton, you cannot deny their commitment to telling stories with power and their global impact proves that history still matters in metal.
Suggested Tags: sabaton, legends, power metal, history metal, new album, i emperor, napoleon, better noise music
