It’s always a special moment when we get to sit down with one of the titans of the metal world — and this time, on a sunny noon in Helsinki, GRIMM caught up with Pär Sundström, bassist and co-founder of Sabaton, for a quick talk about the band’s new album ‘Legends’ (out October 17 via Better Noise Music). With their trademark mix of historical storytelling and power-packed metal, Sabaton are stepping into a new era — one that’s just as bold, but more personal and imaginative than ever.
When we met Pär in Helsinki, the excitement was palpable. “It’s a fantastic time in Sabaton,” he said, clearly proud of what’s coming. “We’ve been sitting on this album for a while, and now we finally get to show it to the world.”
The band’s upcoming release, ‘Legends’, marks a new chapter not just musically, but also creatively. After a brief lineup change and a long label transition, Sabaton emerged stronger than ever. Every member had a hand in shaping the album — something Pär says wasn’t planned, but turned out beautifully. “We always say a good song is a good song, no matter who wrote it. But this time, everyone brought something in, and it gave the record a really good vibe.”
While many of Sabaton’s albums have focused on wars, battles, and military history, ‘Legends’ shifts the lens toward the individuals behind the myths. The concept gave the band freedom to explore wider ground — from warriors like Genghis Khan and Joan of Arc to rulers like Napoleon and Gustavus Adolphus. “Legends is a very wide thing,” Pär explained. “It doesn’t lock us in. We can write whatever music and stories feel right.”
Even with this fresh direction, the essence of Sabaton remains unchanged — the commitment to historical storytelling, the attention to detail, and the sheer energy that defines their sound. Pär laughed when asked whether he considers Sabaton “legends” themselves. “Maybe one day,” he smiled. “When you’ve done something that creates echoes and waves that still matter today — that’s when you become legendary. Maybe if we die now, they’ll make movies or comics about us.”
That blend of humor and humility perfectly sums up where Sabaton are today: grounded, inspired, and ready for what’s next. Through their music and their Sabaton History YouTube channel, they continue to bridge heavy metal and education, inspiring countless fans to dive deeper into the stories behind the songs.
As our time wrapped up, Pär reflected on what he’s learned while researching ‘Legends’. “I wasn’t so familiar with Napoleon before, or with Lü Bu, but when you start digging in, you realize how fascinating these people are. It’s like discovering characters from a video game — larger than life.”
When asked which of the historical figures he’d actually want to meet, he chuckled. “Joan of Arc would terrify me,” he admitted. “She was completely driven by her imagination and faith.”
In the end, Pär’s message to the fans was simple: “Listen to the album — and see you on the road.”
With ‘Legends’, Sabaton prove once again that their ability to blend history and metal remains unrivaled — and perhaps, in their own way, they’ve already become legends of the scene.
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