SABATON // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
Sabaton lead an incredible showcase of world metal with guests BABYMETAL and Lordi
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
SABATON PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
Sabaton’s highly anticipated Tour to End All Tours brought to the stage a world of powerhouse metal in a variety of forms. Glasgow’s OVO was transformed by a trio of acts that sent the crowd in to the heaviest of heavens.
With a large crowd, it was the Finish group Lordi who took to the stage first. Shrouded by barbed wire and complete with hanging ghoulish set décor, the monstrous group looked every bit like a scene straight out of a nightmare. With twisted, deformed creature masks and costumes that looked as heavy as the band sounded, it was no surprise that they played charging set.
Frontman Mr. Lordi – who also creates the costumes – had the crowd in his hands as the sermon of horror and rock filled the hearts and souls of the audience. In the last year, the group has signed to new label Atomic Fire Records and their 18trh studio album Screem Writers Guild was released a few weeks ago. Opening with the introductory track "Dead Again Jayne" the band was met with a roar. The new album draws heavily from their influences and creates a very classic sound. New single ‘‘Lucyfer Prime Evil’’ is played mid-set. The song is pacey dives into a shredding frenzy that mixes elements of American rock with Lordi’s no holds back flare. The performance of ‘Devil Is A Loser’ saw the crowd really get into it with seemed to spike the band to play even harder. Lordi’s biggest push to fame came in 2006 after their winning Eurovision Song Contest anthem ‘’Hard Rock Hallelujah’’ which they closed their set with as fans sung heartily and rejoiced in their release of the beast.
After an incredibly short stage turn around, it was soon time for BABYMETAL. This popular group have successfully toured internationally for nearly a decade. After forming in 2010 and first coming to the UK for Sonisphere in 2014, they have grown a huge fan base and regularly tour around the world.
BABY METAL PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
BABYMETAL are known for their unique collision of J-pop and heavy metal. A divisive group that have a unique take on how to fit the metal genre. Their themes of light and darkness are explored in their sound. Appearing innocent and even angelic, everything is thrown in to question as the group screams and charges out with speed metal backing. The juxtaposition of the soft and the hard creates intense experience for the listener that feels constantly surprising, though at time during their live set creeps into jarring territory. With their worship to their deity known as the Fox God and their stand out sound and presence, the group may ruffle feathers but that’s exactly what they came to do. In October 2021, the group seemed to hint that the band may be ending before storming through with their fourth album The Other One released last month.
BABY METAL PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
There is an upbeat energy as the band takes the stage, the three vocalists and their masked backing band known as the ‘’Kami Band.’’ Su-metal (Suzuka Nakamoto) is the groups lead vocalist and she is supported by Moametal (Moa Kikuchi) and Momometal (Momoko Okazaki). Their squeaky clean routine is begun with ‘’BABYMETAL DEATH’’ and the singers take to the stage and explode into a frenzy of choreography and shredding - the perfect way to open their set. They play ‘’Megitsune’’ and despite a slight issue with pitchy vocals, the track is heavy and hard-core with a soft tender thread that runs through. Nakamoto does an incredible job of delivering clear vocals throughout the night despite a very busy/chaotic performance.
BABY METAL PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
The set’s highlight was the beautiful track ‘’Monochrome’’ from their newest work. An emotional and enigmatic track that transports the listener and on the night it was played with stunning vocals and an incredible routine from all the members. ‘’Road to Resistance’’ closed the show and left the fans screaming for more. The blasting synth, their playful nature and unique sound make BABYMETAL’s set an unforgettable experience.
BABYMETAL will be back in the UK in the winter to play three shows across London and Wolverhampton. With ticket selling fast, anymore more desiring attendees must act fast if they want to be there.
BABY METAL PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
With the large crowd well and truly fired up, it was then time for night’s headliners, Sabaton. Touring their tenth studio album The War to End All Wars, the Swedish metallers set their sights on a huge theatrical production.
Since 1999, Sabaton have created historically themed powermetal epics that delve into topics of war and struggle. They embrace the over-the-top that comes with colossal staging, immense themes and an almighty sound. On paper, the group could be accused of being overly intense, however, Sabaton sneak light and humour into their performance like Easter eggs.
Opening with ‘’Ghost Division,’’ the band rushed the stage as if invading. With drummer Hannes Van Dahl seated on top of tank and a stage littered with turrets, sandbags, military costumes and fireworks, there is no escaping the battlefield of set. The formidable force of the set through tracks including ‘‘Carolus Rex’’ and ‘’Stormtroopers’’ sees the arena descend in moshing. ‘’Blood of Bannockburn’’ is played in none of the other UK legs of the tour and is treat for the Scottish crowd only.
The only cover of the night was the Motörhead ballad ‘’1916’’ which saw the crowd listen intensely to this emotional track that captures the pain of World War I. As the pyrotechnics budget continues to soar and flames shoot through the stage, vocalist Joakim Brodén remains with a calming determination which drifts between warmth and focus but always endearing. They finish of their main set with ‘’The Attack of the Dead Men’’ and the crowd favourite ‘’Christmas Truce’’ before an encore including the great ‘’Primo Victoria’’ and ‘To Hell and Back.’’
Sabaton created a night filled with charging, excited energy that felt like being inside a shaken up bottle of champagne. Sabaton themselves play with fury and display human ingenuity through powerful vocal, delicious guitar riffs, and earth shattering drum beats. Their music connects millions to our predecessors who have shaped our world and must not be forgotten. With guest Lordi and BABYMETAL, the night will be a historic event for all lucky attendees..