Hello, everybody! We’re here with Thobbe from the amazing heavy metal band Sabaton. How are you?
Very good, thank you.

We’re here to talk about your new album Legends, which will be out on October 17. First of all, if you had to describe the album in one word, what would it be?
There was one interview where I wasn’t allowed to use the word epic to describe the album - so this time, I’m definitely using it! Epic... and bombastic.

That’s a great choice! Four singles are already out, but you chose Templars to introduce this new era. Why that one?
I’d say that’s the first song Joakim actually wrote for this album. It’s also where the whole album started to take shape - to form the idea of Legends. When he first presented that song, I hadn’t rejoined the band yet. That must have been in autumn 2023. He played it for Pär and said that the song didn’t really fit into our usual modern war history themes like World War I or II - it had an older feel to it. Something more like Templars. So I guess that’s when they started thinking in that direction. Eventually, they decided on Legends, which gave them a bit more freedom. That was before I came back. Then I rejoined in January, and by then we already had this Legends theme to work with.

Speaking of Legends, you’re exploring historical themes again - something Sabaton is well known for. I’ve also seen that you’re releasing a “storytelling edition,” as you’ve done with previous albums. Why do you like creating those storytelling versions?
I think it’s a different approach. A lot of songs can easily be forgotten nowadays, but in this modern age, with all these digital outlets, you can do so much more with a single song than just release it on an album and maybe play it live.
If a song deals with something like the stories in Legends, there’s so much depth to it - there’s an actual legend behind it. You can really dive in, expand your knowledge, and even start philosophizing about what’s true and what’s myth. If it’s a 1500-year-old legend, where’s the line between fairy tale and history? That’s what makes this approach so fascinating.

You already need a lot of inspiration to create a song and an album - but where do you find the drive to go even further and build a whole story around it?
Good question. I think it’s the same process for writing lyrics and music. Once you get inspired - whether it’s by a great idea, a strong story, or a guitar riff you want to expand on - you just follow it. Sometimes you read about a historical figure and get fascinated, and you want to know more. That curiosity is the same kind of creative drive. When you connect those two - a story and a melody - that’s when a song really comes to life.

Were there any inspirations outside of metal for this album?
Oh, absolutely. Everyday life inspires us. As songwriters and musicians, things are constantly running through our minds. I can take a walk in the forest and find inspiration - maybe not directly from the birds or trees, but from the thoughts that come while walking.

I’ve seen that for this album you were all together in the studio. How was the creative process this time?
It wasn’t that different from how it used to be. We meet, we bounce ideas around. Joakim is usually in the middle with his keyboard - he’s a great piano player, he’s fast, he knows all the chords. So when I sit down with my guitar and we start jamming, he’s always backing it up with keys. And right there, you can already feel the Sabaton sound.
When the five of us work together, that sound just happens - it’s in our blood, I guess. That’s what makes up the Sabaton identity.

This is your 11th studio album. How do you find the balance between keeping that signature Sabaton sound while still bringing something new?
That’s a good question. Like I said, when you put all five of us in a room and ask us to write a song, it’s going to sound like Sabaton. I don’t think we could make it sound different unless we really tried to - but then, why would we?
I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with doing something like a “retro” Sabaton. Sometimes you just have to say: this is who we are, and this is what we want to sound like. I think Sabaton found its sound back with Primo Victoria. That was a long time ago, of course, but production-wise, we’ve kept refining it here and there. Still, we’ve never really gone in a different direction - and I think that’s a good thing.

What do you feel are the main differences between your first album and Legends?
Well, the most obvious difference is production quality, of course. But also songwriting. It wasn’t until Primo Victoria - I wasn’t in the band then - that Sabaton found its true identity. That was the defining moment when the band realized that singing about history had more meaning and impact than songs about motorcycles, beer, or dragons. Singing about history had more weight. That’s really where it all began, and I think it was a very smart move - there are enough bands singing about motorcycles already!

If you could write a song about anything other than history, what would it be?
Star Wars. I mean, that would be cool, right? Everybody loves Star Wars.

If Legends were the original motion picture soundtrack of a movie, which movie would it be?
Wow… that’s a tricky one. I don’t know - whatever I say will be wrong! laughs

Fair enough! Your sound already creates such a distinct universe that it’s hard to match it with any movie.
Oh yeah, exactly!

And after years with Nuclear Blast, this album is being released via Better Noise Music. What led to that change?
That all started before I rejoined. The band didn’t have a label at that moment and was looking for a way to level up. Then came the collaboration with Better Noise - and it’s been great. We’re really excited about it because we believe this partnership can take Sabaton to a whole new level.

What are you most excited about with this album’s release?
The tour. Going on tour with this album is going to be something special - something Sabaton has never done before. I’m really eager to show the fans what we’ve prepared. It’s going to be special.

You’ve announced many dates, including shows in France. Is there a country you’re particularly excited to visit?
All of them! It doesn’t really matter where we are - meeting the fans, standing in front of them, sharing this energy… that’s what matters. We love what we do, and they love the music. Sharing that moment together - it’s magic. That’s what it’s all about.

And what do you want fans to feel when leaving a Sabaton show?
This tour is going to be something special. I want people to leave saying “Wow.” Actually, they’ll probably say it twice - “Wow, wow!”
[laughs]

So there are some surprises coming?
Oh yes - absolutely. You’ll see!

Finally, do you have a message for your fans?
Yes - and it’s really from the heart. The whole band is so eager to show what we’ve been working on, and we can’t wait to give it to the fans and share that moment together. That’s what really matters - the love for music, and for heavy metal. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone out there in the crowd.

Thank you so much for your time, Thobbe! Everyone, mark your calendars: Legends will be out on October 17!
Thank you very much!