. For fans of this Swedish Metal band, pick this one up soon.

To some bands, when hearing a new release we say, "intrigue us, let us hear what else it is you are capable of playing". But then there are to a select few we say, "keep doing what you're doing, for what you are doing is faultless just as it is". Sabaton is one of those bands we say that to. Thunderous, thrilling and dynamic is 'Heroes'; Sabaton's eighth studio release and the first with new guitarists Chris Rörland and Thobbe Englund as well as new drummer Hannes van Dahl. Glorious pianos, the booming voice of front-man Joakim Broden, the grand guitars, all used to tell the magnificent stories of battles fought, a prisoner who died at the hands of his captors, and a song of remembrance of those who bravely died fighting for their country.

For the unfamiliar, imagine an amalgam of the sensational keyboards of Saint Deamon, the guitars of Finsterforst and the moving orchestration of Turisas and you have Sabaton. The bottom line is Sabaton has gone and done it again, for this is one incredible release. Like an intriguing novel, Sabaton writes their songs so images come through the music and one easily gets transfixed by the history lessons being heard. It's difficult to only pick a select few songs to pay particular attention to, but take note of the heartbreaking tale of 'Inmate 4859' that tells of Polish soldier Witold Pilecki, who bravely led the resistance of Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp, and was killed by communist services in Post-war Poland. Be taken away by the valor of 'To Hell And Back' and the galloping 'Smoking Snakes' that tells of a team of fighters in Italy during WWII. There's also the drums of 'Soldier Of 3 Armies' that tells the seemingly implausible account of Lauri Torni who after serving in both the Finnish and German armies, boarded a ship headed for the United States, then when in the Gulf Of Mexico off the coast of Alabama, jumped overboard and swam for shore. In time he was granted U.S. residency and then served as a member of the United States' Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Closing 'Heroes' is 'Souls Of Iron' a moving, but rousing cry sung reverently about all those who lost their lives in WWII.

The sound is perfection to the ears, and the music coming from each musician comes together wonderfully as one has learned to expect from all of Sabaton's releases. Yup, Sabaton has indeed done it again. For fans of this Swedish Metal band, pick this one up soon.

Franco Cerchiari