SABATON
“Carolus Rex Platinum Edition”
Album Review by Stacey Fawcett

8/10

What better to celebrate going quadruple platinum in your home country, an epic album with 4 covers thrown in for the hell of it. Here we go!

‘Dominium Maris Baltici’ is a very dramatic intro to what is a great album. ‘The Lion from the North’ the opening track charges straight in and is very symphonic, exactly what you expect from Sabaton. ‘Got Mit Uns’ has a slightly different feel, slightly swung, not the usual pounding song which is nice as occasionally Sabaton can sound a bit same as, same as. Also kudos for the interesting use of vocal effects in the first verse.

‘A Lifetime of War’ started off in a half time feel, it has such an epic sound. Nice orchestral mix before Joakim’s distinct vocal comes in too. It is nice to hear him quite isolated as it shows how good vocally he is. ‘1 6 4 8’ the drums. God I love it. This sounds like old Sabaton, a true headbanger. ‘The Carolean’s Prayer’ ooh a church organ, this can only mean it will be an truly evil track. The groove on this is excellent, with some really nice chunky bass. The title track ‘Carolus Rex’ has drums that are heavy and thick like treacle. Everything sounds beautiful and anthemic.

‘Killing Ground’ has the classic Iron Maiden gallop which I’m pretty sure 95% of metal community love, it’s fun and gives you the warm nostalgic feeling inside. ’Poltava’ is probably my favourite track so far it’s fun, and has some really enjoyable sections in particular the synth solo. ‘Long Live the King’ is what I describe as a story telling track, there’s nothing huge about it but lyrically exquisite. ‘Ruina Imperii’ has a very symphonic feel which I’m recently getting into so this track is hugely appealing.

‘Twilight of The Thundergod’ has been summoned by the gods of shred, it is phenomenal. In addition to exquisite double pedal work, wow. Amon Amarth will be proud. ‘In The Army Now’ – Loving the Quo!’ Feuer Frei’ A Rammstein cover, which is very surprising but it’s amazing! But does not beat the original as Rammstein are untouchable. ‘Harley from Hell’ does not sound like a Sabaton track but it demonstrates their musical versatility.

This is a Sabaton album as you’d expect as it has ‘that’ sound with a few variations. It does exactly what you’d expect, but is rather long. The addition of a Rammstein cover is a nice touch.

TRACKLIST

1. Dominium Maris Baltici
2. The Lion from the North
3. Gott Mit Uns
4. A Lifetime of War
5. 1 6 4 8
6. The Carolean’s Prayer
7. Carolus Rex
8. Killing Ground
9. Poltava
10. Long Live the King
11. Ruina Imperii
12. Twilight Of The Thundergod
13. In The Army Now
14. Feuer Frei
15. Harley From Hell

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