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These are strange and tumultuous times and luckily we have certain musical touchstones to help us cope and navigate into calmer waters where introspection and benevolence are the order of the day. Such a touchstone is Swedish heavy metal band Sabaton, a band with a genuine heart and guiding green light which serves as a True North to anyone who has ever found themselves tapping their feet and feeling the words in a tune to the very depths of their souls.
On the eve of their tenth studio album The War to End All Wars – set to drop on March 4 – Vents was fortunate enough to capture a few minutes of time from the very busy band which during its 20 plus year reign has revolutionized the heavy metal music scene. Comprised of musical stalwarts Joakim Brodén, Chris Rörland, Tommy Johansson, Pär Sundström and Hannes Van Dahl, Sabaton is a band unlike any other you will ever hear or experience. Raw, visceral, smart and even a little sly, their music is both a signpost for our present and future as well as a rousing look back on the futility of war as well as a tip of the hat to the brave men and women who have fought and, in some cases, died for a better tomorrow.
Guitarist and backing vocalist Chris Rörland and the Euripides of metal drumming Hans Van Dahl graciously took time out of their busy schedules to talk a little about their most personal and heartfelt album to date, The War to End All Wars.
Vents: How does it feel to be on the cusp of a release on a brand-spanking new album?
Chris Rörland: It feels amazing! Always fun to write new songs and record a new album. Especially for this album, it feels like we have made something really unique with this one!
Vents: One of the new singles – Soldier of Heaven – has already enthralled fans. What made this song a perfect candidate for release prior to the actual album itself dropping?
Chris Rörland: It’s a very easy-listening song and fans can easily get into it. It also has a very powerful chorus which makes the song stand out even more. Truly something new and fresh, this will be a fun song to play live and also for fans to sing along.
Vents: The War to End All Wars –which, of course, is what World War I was referred to as -continues Sabaton’s study of that most maddening of human preoccupations which is war: What does the band ultimately hope listening audiences get from this continuing theme in your music?
Chris Rörland: War is an awful thing and should be avoided. With that said, it shouldn’t be forgotten! Hopefully people/fans can learn something from our songs, I know I did anyway. There are so many fantastic stories of heroic acts being forgotten, which is in my opinion very sad.
Vents: Your guitar playing really captures that indefinable vibe of really great Heavy Metal and it feels you’ve pushed yourself even further with your craftsman like work in The War to End All Wars. Is your goal to constantly evolve in your playing?
Chris Rörland: Thank you very much! I really appreciate your kind words. Yes, I’ve pushed myself to the top in this one and I know everyone in the band has too! I’ve pushed myself as a songwriter as well. It’s always good to keep pushing yourself and have goals. It’s always fun to try some new ideas and keep practicing my instrument. I have no goal of being the best guitar player in the world, I just enjoy playing and making music. 🙂
Vents: What are your favorite bits on the new album?
Chris Rörland: I would have to say HELLFIGHTERS, because that’s something very different and unique from what Sabaton has done before, also very fun and difficult to play.
Vents: What does the touring situation look like for promoting The War to End All Wars? When and where can fans look forward to seeing and hearing you perform?
Chris Rörland: As soon as all restrictions are lifted in the world, we can go back to touring. Can’t say any dates yet, but please check our website for that. We will try to tour all over the world and cover as much as we can! It’s been far too long now.
Vents: The War to End All Wars was recorded at the Black Lounge Studio in Sweden. What made Black Lounge the perfect place creatively to cut the new album?
Chris Rörland: Ever since I joined the band, we’ve been recording every album in Pärlby, this time again with Jonas Kjellgren. Peter Tägtgren (Abyss Studios) and Jonas Kjellgren (Black Lounge Studios) work in the same building together but in separate studios. So it makes it very convenient and also very much fun to be there to record an album. And the end result is always MIND BLOWING!
Vents: Hannes, tackling some of the same questions I had for Chris but with your own unique outlook, how does it feel to be on the cusp of a release on a brand-spanking new album?
Hannes Van Dahl: Dude, it feels so good! We’ve been working on this for such a long time and it’s finally time to let the beast out. It’s actually horrible to have to sit on an album for a long time –ha-ha – something you´re so proud of and just want to share, but now nearly there! Can’t wait to hear what people think!
Vents: How is The War to End All Wars similar to 2019’s The Great War? How is it different?
Hannes Van Dahl: Obviously the theme continues around the First World War, we simply felt that there were too many great stories that we had to write about, so the natural thing was to make a ”sequel” if you will, to The Great War. It’s impossible to fit such a significant event on one album. Sound and production-wise, it’s not too different by an aware choice, it’s updated, all the things we wanted to improve from The Great War, we now had the chance to do.
Vents: We got Chris’ take on this, but I’m curious as to what your favorite bits are on the new album?
Hannes Van Dahl: My favorite songs so far (it usually changes with time): I really dig HELLFIGHTERS, for how the song came out, it was a blast recording and both Chris and I really went for it in that one; And also for the story behind it. But to be honest, to me this is one of those albums that I´d prefer to listen to from start to finish. It’s a ride, musically and historically.
Vents: What does the touring situation look like for promoting The War to End All Wars? When and where can fans look forward to seeing and hearing you perform?
Hannes Van Dahl: We start off with our 30 date Swedish tour on April the 4th!! And after almost two years of pandemic crap, it’s finally time to come out and play again, and we are hungrier than ever, and so is the audience, I can imagine. Keep your eyes open for a ton of added shows 🙂
Vents: We speak about Joakim and his absolute mastery of vocals, but many fans – including ye olde reporter – feel that just as much credit for the sound of Sabaton goes to you as the drummer. You really keep it tight and controlled with your drumming technique. How many hours a week do you practice and what sort of drums are you using at the moment?
Hannes Van Dahl: Thank you for that compliment! To me, drums are there to be a solid foundation behind the others, a backbone to rely upon. I have to ask myself “Does this drum fill or make the song better?” And then decide on what to play, because for me, that’s what it’s all about. Quite a few hours 🙂 especially now that we’re getting ready to go on tour again! I play exclusively YAMAHA DRUMS and the kit I recorded The War to End All Wars on is a Live Custom Hybrid Oak!! (Also the same kit I will bring on the world tour.)
Vents: I was asking Chris about The War to End All Wars being recorded at the Black Lounge Studio in Sweden. What made Black Lounge the perfect place creatively to cut the new album?
Hannes Van Dahl: This is our second album working together with Jonas Kjellgren @Black Lounge Studios. Jonas is a true genius and totally down-to-earth guy. I really enjoy his way of working and thinking when it comes to recording – effective, fast but also time for reflection and thinking in a good balance. I think he outdid himself on this album: It’s dynamic, real, and punchy! It’s one of those albums you want to play really loud!
