Words by: Tyler Bogliole
Photos: Dhruv Kumar
October 23rd was the final date for Sabaton & Epica’s incredible US tour. The tour lasted about a month and a half and hit many major cities throughout the US with a good amount sold out. Hopefully, you were at the show because this was genuinely one of the greatest shows I’ve witnessed.
First up was Epica. I was a fan of Epica but this show made me an even bigger fan, playing songs off their new album “Abyss Of Time” and “Code Of Life”, while also playing crowd favorites such as “Cry For The Moon”, “Beyond The Matrix” and “Unchain Utopia”. The crowd was loving every second of them with a wall of death and the crowd jumping in unison during “Beyond The Matrix”, bigger audience participation than I’ve seen at most shows. Their set was an hour long but it felt way too short, definitely a band I will see more than once!
Next up was Sabaton. I love this band. Easily one of the most fun bands to see live. They just have so much fun on stage and it just creates such a great vibe between the audience and the band. Opening with “Ghost Division”, of course, they blew the roof off the place immediately. It was just a countless assault of great songs including personal favorites “Soldier Of Heaven”, “Shiroyama” and “Night Witches”, they played an amazing set of both classics and new favorites. “Swedish Pagans”, everybody’s favorite Sabaton song, had a “row pit” which is always a highlight every time they play that one. Epica also appeared on stage during that one and their keyboardist dressed as Joakim and pouring shots of Gin for the band just showed that both bands had a great time on the tour together. Epica even played a short cover of “Highway to Hell” with members of Sabaton.
Overall, an incredible show. Easily two of the best bands to see live. Sabaton, in my eyes, will be carrying the torch for heavy metal for years to come. Next time they come to your area, do not miss out.
sabaton.net
www.epica.nl
SABATON announced “The Tour To End All Tours – North America 2022,” a 25-date U.S. trek that will include a special headline show at Montreal’s Place Bell, the band’s first-ever arena headline concert in Canada. The tour kicked off on Thursday, September 15 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA, and will wrap up at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on October 23. Supporting SABATON on all dates will be special guest and label mates EPICA, the renowned Dutch symphonic metal band.
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