Band : Sabaton
Album title : World War Live - Battle of the Baltic Sea
Label : Nuclear Blast Records
Distributor : PIAS
Release date : 05/08/2011
Release : CD

Sabaton, the always loved and deeply appreciated power metal sensation from Sweden are on the rise again, this time with a full live album, which goes by the title World War Live - Battle of the Baltic Sea. These Swedes definitely know how to keep the fans entertained and the press busy. Every now and then they release something new and when they're not, they're setting foot on every country in the world, touring as madmen. For the first time we are treated to a live album and DVD. Unfortunately, we only got to review the CD, so excuse us for not reviewing the live images.
It has to be said that the beginning of the show sounds a bit dull. The sound is not that wonderfully well mastered. Fortunately, after Ghost Division, this changes way for the better. What sounds so different from the studio albums are the facts that the drums and keyboards are much clearer present. I don't think this is a bad thing. It brings to live the live experience of a wonderful and powerful metal band such as Sabaton. One thing I don't like is the absence of the choirs. This especially turns the choruses into something weaker. It still sounds good, don't get me wrong, but less convincing than on the studio albums. But hey, what am I complaining about? With songs such as Uprising, Wolfpack, The Art of War, Primo Victoria and Attero Dominatus, Sabaton once again showed the world to be able to put together one hell of a live presentation.
For those who have never seen or heard them live, now you know what you're missing out on: a show of one of the few metal bands that take their power metal to the highest level possible, both on album and live!

95/100

Tim.