Swedish power metal band Sabaton brought their “Legends on Tour” tour to Edmonton in a blaze of glory.
Kicking off the riveting night was heavy metal group Wings of Steel with their captivating hair metal aesthetic, followed by American rockers Pop Evil, who amped up the crowd with their contagious energy and electric performance. The anticipation in the venue was inevitable during the set changeover as Sabaton’s notable props were moved onstage – battle helmets and guns on the mic stands, camouflage monitors, and a massive tank that propped up the drum kit.
The legendary 5-piece band – comprised of vocalist Joakim Broden, guitarist Chris Rorland, guitarist Thobbe Englund, bassist Par Sundstrom, and drummer Hannes Van Dahl – soon took the stage to a roaring crowd, opening a fiery set with “Ghost Division.” Right from the get-go, the audience was shouting back song lyrics and sending crowd surfers soaring over the barricade. Flames lit up the room as Sabaton dove into recent single “Yamato,” followed by “The Red Baron” and “The Last Stand.”
The heavy war themes detailed in Sabaton’s lyrics are complemented by the band’s heavy music – Broden’s powerful vocals drive each song, and guitarists Rorland and Englund lend high-energy riffs fit for a battlefield march. Sundstrom’s bass builds a pulsing rhythm alongside the riveting beats of Van Dahl’s drums, often accompanied by fist pumps from the crowd.
Throughout the night, the dedication of Sabaton’s fanbase was apparent. Every pause between songs was quickly filled with vigorous chants of “Sabaton, Sabaton!” from the crowd, earning bashful smiles from the band members. There were even a few fans dressed up like Broden. “We should come to Alberta more often, I’m getting goosebumps,” frontman Broden commented after only 4 songs. For “Christmas Truce,” a trio of backing vocalists was brought out to accompany the rest of the performance while fans’ phone flashlights lit up the room and swayed to the rhythm. The band was eager to engage with their passionate audience, often taking a moment between songs to share stories (such as Van Dahl getting a tattoo in Edmonton) or speak directly with crowd members (Broden was shocked to discover a 12-year old at barricade had already attended 10 metal shows at that age).
The setlist spanned the group’s decades-long career, featuring songs from 2025’s Legends album such as “Crossing the Rubicon” and “I, Emperor,” and going back to 2005 with “Primo Victoria.” Broden was extremely vocal about his excitement to play the second last song of the night, “Swedish Pagans.” It soon turned into an audience sing-off, with Rorland and Englund each directing one half of the room to belt gang vocals the loudest. The night ended with a victorious performance of “To Hell and Back,” capping off an explosive show.
After over 25 years, Sabaton show no signs of slowing down. The passion they have for music is evident, and even more notable is the passion they share with their fanbase. The band’s genre is aptly named: they carry power through metal, and they sure do it well.
Catch Sabaton before they finish their North American tour this fall or on their upcoming European tour in Spring 2027: https://www.sabaton.net
Setlist:
1. Ghost Division
2. Yamato
3. The Red Baron
4. The Last Stand
5. Stormtroopers
6. Christmas Truce
7. Soldier of Heaven
8. Crossing the Rubicon
9. Night Witches
10. I, Emperor
11. The Attack of the Dead Men
12. Bismarck
13. Fields of Verdun
14. Hordes of Khan
15. Templars
16. Primo Victoria
17. Swedish Pagans
18. To Hell and Back
GALLERY: SABATON WITH POP EVIL AT EDMONTON CONVENTION CENTRE in EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA (OCTOBER 4, 2026)
Sabaton
Pop Evil
