SABATON — Primo Victoria (review)

SABATON — Primo Victoria album cover Album · 2005 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
2.5/5 ·
Stephen
The sophomore release by the Swedish war-drummers, Sabaton, contained nine power/heavy metal songs which was based on war stories covering from D-Day landings, Stalingrad battle, Vietnam war, and Iraq War. Released in 2005, "Primo Victoria" or First Victory, was the first album under their new label, Black Lodge Records. Looking at Sabaton probably will reminds you of the mighty warrior of Manowar or the pirate lords of Running Wild, a very thick war theme sticks on their musical and lyrical characteristic.

"Through the gates of hell, as we make our way to heaven" and that's the opening cries of Joakim Broden when he blows "Primo Victoria". He has a very unique voice that sounded like Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead but kinda heavier, like a Supreme Commander rallying his troops at the battlefield, too bad his accent can be irritating at times. "Reign of Terror" displayed a thunderous drummings of Daniel Mullback, but judging from the songwriting aspect, it lacks of something impressive, and unfortunately that also goes for the next song, "Panzer Battalion".

"Wolfpack" tries a slower tempo in the veins of Rhapsody style with their epic symphonic chant but still can't elevate my mood until "Counterstrike" blasted me off with an energetic riffs and explosive drummings. Battle of "Stalingrad" always fascinates me but not with their song here, probably their worst. Luckily, "Into The Fire" quickly suffocates me with the overwhelming and muscular rhythm, and though lacks of the necessary killer solos, this song's composition is enough to stand out as the best tune of the album.

"Purple Heart" is a good metallic ballad that slowly build upwards in tempo and faded out elegantly with an enchanting choir. Sabaton closed the book with "Metal Machine" - an intense heavy metal with an amusing lyric that's comprised of song-titles from bands like Iron Maiden, Manowar, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and many other bands. And another fun fact is the main riffs of the song borrowed from Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name".

Bottomline, "Primo Victoria" is not a breakthrough inventive album of the power metal scene but not a bad one as well. Worth to try especially if you like a deep war theme but just remember that I've warned you about the vocal.
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