In the genre of heavy metal, few bands boast the longevity, influence, and power of Judas Priest and Sabaton. The last time these two bands came through Minneapolis, I was out of town for work so when they announced a tour for spring of 2024, I was ecstatic. Thousands of metalheads poured into The Armory in Minneapolis to witness the “Invincible Shield Tour.”
As the lights dimmed and the stage came to life, Sabaton kicked off with a thunderous roar. Hailing from Falun Sweden, Sabaton has made a name for themselves with their unique blend of power metal and historical storytelling. With anthems that celebrate the triumphs and tragedies of warfare, they have amassed a devoted following around the globe and taught more about history than any class in school.
From the moment they launched into their opening song, “Ghost Division,” frontman Joakim Brodén, (wearing his trademark military attire), led the charge with his powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence. Alongside him was the relentless assault of bassist Pär Sundström, guitarist Chris Rörland, and newly returned guitarist Thobbe Englund. Lastly, drummer Hannes van Dahl sat behind the kit which was enthroned atop Sabaton’s classic stage prop– a massive army tank! Sabaton wasted no time in igniting the crowd’s excitement.
The band did a great job balancing songs from their extensive discography. They performed older songs like “Primo Victoria,” “Swedish Pagans,” and “Carolus Rex” as well as newer ones like “The Red Baron,” “Soldier of Heaven,” and “Stormtroopers.” Funny side story–I’ll never forget when Sabaton’s last album, “The War to End All Wars” came out. I was listening to it in my office and my kids came in, saw the song “Stormtroopers” on the tracklist, and thought it was about Star Wars. Sabaton, if you ever see this, there’s an idea for you! Ha! During “Resist and Bite” Joakim showed his lighter side as he played a pink “Hello Kitty” guitar. As they played “The Attack of the Dead Men,” they all wore gas masks and Joakim even sang with one on!
As the band played on stage, each song was accompanied by stunning visuals that brought the stories to life, transporting the audience to the battlefields of history. But beyond the show itself, was Sabaton’s genuine passion for their fans and interaction with the crowd that resonated most. They ended their set with one of my all-time favorite songs, “To Hell and Back.” It was an incredible show from arguably the best Swedish band to grace this planet. I’m so thankful they did another U.S. tour!
After a long intermission, the stage was set and the audience primed for Judas Priest to take center stage. As the lights flickered, the intro to “Panic Attack” shot out through the arena, and the crowd erupted in a roar of approval. For longer than I’ve been alive, Judas Priest has been at the forefront of the heavy metal scene, and I’m embarrassed to say that this was my first time seeing them! Led by the mighty Rob Halford, Judas Priest delivered a masterclass in metal from start to finish. Despite nearing their fifth decade as a band, Halford’s vocals were as powerful and commanding as ever, soaring effortlessly over the cacophony of guitars and drums. Flanked by guitarists Andy Sneap and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis, Halford prowled the stage like an unchained beast, commanding the attention of every soul in the audience.
From classic anthems like “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin” and “Breaking the Law” to deep cuts like “Sinner” and “Saints in Hell,” Judas Priest left no stone unturned in their quest to deliver the ultimate metal experience. Each song was an assault on the senses, shocking every fan in attendance. With the exception of Faulkner, the members of Judas Priest are all in their sixties and seventies, but they showed no signs of slowing down or phoning it in. Every note was played with precision and every lyric was delivered with conviction.
I’ve been jamming to the band’s latest album, “Invincible Shield” since it came out in early March of this year. It was great to hear a band with such an extensive discography (nineteen studio albums) play three new songs. As previously mentioned, they opened their set with “Panic Attack,” but also played “Crown of Horns” and the album’s title track, “Invincible Shield.” It was amazing to both see and hear Richie Faulkner play his solos. The dude performs flawlessly. Another highlight of the set was after “Electric Eye.” Lights flashed everywhere and smoke billowed from the left side of the stage. Halford emerged on the legendary Harley-Davidson and proceeded to belt out “Hell Bent for Leather,” sitting atop the motorcycle. The final song of the night was “Living After Midnight” and there wasn’t a silent voice in the crowd.
As fans left the Armory with ringing in their ears, they knew they had witnessed something truly special. From the thunderous power metal of Sabaton to the incredible performance of the legendary Judas Priest, it’s nights like this that are what inspire generations of headbangers to come. So here’s to all the great musicians who keep the flame burning bright. Long live heavy metal!
