The fact that Rob Halford is still in the game is so fucking cool.

$40+ for 2 drinks and they expect a tip? No fucking way!

Surprised you hadn't heard of Sabaton before. They're a hugely popular power metal band. Their former guitarist, Tommy Johansson, fronts another cool power metal band, Majestica. He's a hell of singer/player and has a cool KZfaq channel.

I saw them on the Defenders of the Faith tour in the 80's, it was beyond epic. They were all in their prime and top form. Ahhh the 80s for music man.

Welcome to the Sabaton fandom. It's a deep rabbit hole to go down into with tons of fun & interesting stories. One of my favorites involves the coincidence that the grandson of one of the historical figures they sang about happened to already be a fan of theirs before they ever wrote that particular song. Kid (young adult at the time) was blown away when he started listening to what was at the time their most recent album and low & behold there was a song about his grandfather on there.

Saw Priest and Maiden front row in 82. Probably loudest concert I've ever been to.

Yes, you are late to the party when it comes to Sabaton. One of the most funny things is, when they play in Germany, the audience will shout "Noch ein Bier" (which translates to 'One more beer') and Joakim will eventually gulp down a beer at some point life on stage. Not drink. Gulp down. Like his life depends on him drinking this beer within 3 seconds 😀 My guitar teacher had me practice "To Hell and Back" and "Red Baron". The latter one is really great for practicing these "layz eigths", where you play eights note, but the upstroke is always slighty late. Like playing triplets without the middle note (sorry... I cannot describe it better in English and without the guitar in my hand)

I discovered Sabaton through Indy Neidell's WW2 history - all of their songs are history metal - Joakim & Par from the band have a separate KZfaq channel with Indy where they talk about the background of their songs. Seem like really good dudes.

The drummer for Sabaton is married to Floor Jenson, the lead singer for Nightwish.

Damn bro you really didn't know about Sabaton?

The Dad with the kid on his shoulders the whole show...now that's metal!

Priest was my first concert in 86. Never will forget it. Maybe it's best at the concert wasn't so loud. I have permanent hearing damage from concerts. Nothing wrong with getting emotional at a show. Happened to me a few times. So many hours listening to your heroes and then they're in front of you playing the songs of love.

I saw them the night before in Illinois. It was my third time seeing them. The singer from Sabaton gave his sunglasses to a six year old kid in the front row, and the band gave him and another kid (probably his sister) picks and drumsticks. When Priest finished, the band gave the same kids picks and drumsticks and Rob shook their hands. Judas Priest always SLAYS and I'm thankful to see them when I can.

My brother is a military history buff so he’s a huge fan of Sabaton.

I'd rather not drink, holy shit.

I first saw Sabaton when they were opening with Delain for Nightwish in Spokane a handful of years ago. The energy in the room was already at a fever pitch with Delain, but when Sabaton came in, Joakim kick-jumping in the air across the stage, the room just blew up. The sound of the crowd was deafening! At one point during the Sabaton set, Troy from Nightwish was in a far corner of the balcony near the stage sharing bemused incredulity at our crazed energy with whom I think was the Nightwish tour manager. Unfortunately, the crowd totally blew all of its energy with the openers and the energy died down during the Nightwish set. I felt so bad, but we were tired, dehydrated, and just wasted. Nonetheless, what an electric night! Unforgettable! But, Sabaton totally stole the energy of the crowd. I am glad you had a positive experience with them as well. Cheers!

They play Painkiller like every other show since the tour began. There's a ton of footage online here showing such.

Your concert review runs parallel to my experience I had while stayioned in Germany 1979-1981. Friends and I saw Kiss and the opening band was unknown to me. The double lead guitars were unbelievable, and could not figure who this opening band was. I saw a few photographers taking lots of pictures and noticed the tee shirts they were wearing. The shirts depicted a skeleton figure and the name.......Iron Maiden!!! First time I heard them! Thanks for a great channel!

I was just at the Atlanta date Saturday and man, yall got SO many more people there than ours. Our was just outside of Atlanta, but had a few other concerts going on that night, namely Mr. Bungle in Atlanta. But, yeah, drinks there were starting at like $25, and not many people were feeling Sabaton, but when Priest came out, tore the roof off man. Halford is an absolute monster.

Sabaton are one of my favourite bands! Glad you enjoyed them.

The new Priest album has had me playing their music weekly on my drive home. Can't believe they're still able to pump out music like that! I hope I can catch em love one day, it sounded like a fun show!

I saw the same show at the same venue in 2021, The biggest thing I took away from it was Sabaton. They are amazing live. The first time there was almost Noone in their seats when Sabaton played. This time the place was packed and I heard chants for sabaton! I've seen them 3 times now and hopefully many more.

Sabaton is from Falun, Sweden which has a population of about 50,000 people. They are highly thought of in their home town. I lived in Falun for 8 years, the best part is Sabaton puts on a huge show for the town every year.

They played painkiller in Kalamazoo, MI. Surprised and rob halford nailed it too

I REALLY wanted to go see Judas Priest but it didn't end up fitting in my schedule. P.S My band is playing a couple Weezer songs soon at a school concert! It's our first gig so I'm kind of nervous! We would love to get your advice on what to improve in your "Fix This Band" series! Anyways! Thanks for making super cool videos! Keep it up!

The US and tipping :)

Mike, I bloody love these concert review videos and the way we hear the whole night's story.

I'd never seen or heard of your channel until this morning, when hubby sent a link to this video along with the text "This guy never knew of Sabaton until the Minnesota concert." Glad you know of them now! You're even later to the party than I am (March 2023 for me), and they've been around for 25 years. I am absolutely hooked! I wanted to go the the MN concert SOOOO badly but couldn't, so I was happy to see your review. Really enjoyed your thoughtful comments, positive and negative, on Sabaton, Priest, and the various experiences you had with everyone from bartenders to merch people to fans. Thanks for bringing your perspective to those of us who couldn't be there than night. Wishing you all the best!

Thanks for your review. It's great to hear from people new to Sabaton; of course I've only been listening to Sabaton only 5 years (basically my real shift into metal). This was my 12th Sabaton show since Oct 2019 (and nothing happened in most of 2020 / 2021), and was the shortest trip I've done to see them; a 3 hour drive to Seattle notwithstanding. I flew from Vancouver specifically for Sabaton; I don't know JP at all really, so didn't care. Some of us did know about that other door; there was only about 5 people there for the longest time. I simply didn't feel like telling anyone else in the long line about it. I was first in in that line, so it didn't affect me. The "giggle" incident was when Chris (guitar) got up between Joakim's legs with a drumstick, like a little wooden phallus. The guys are great musicians, and don't take themselves too seriously; you must have seen the guitar pics being stuck to his head, right? For the best shows, you have to see them in Europe (or Montreal) where they actually use pyro. Flares shooting from the tank like AA is just amazing. There is an official FB group where you can connect with 37K other fans. Welcome to the family!

Oh sweet! I was just at that show up in the balcony. Drove in from Nebraska to see them. Sounds like you got there the same time I did. Haha. Saboton was amazing. They gained a new fan out of me. Priest was great, but I swear they only played 3 songs off of the Invincible Shield album. My first time seeing Priest and I don't regret it.

Mike immediately goin' HARD blowing up his bracelet & dropping a loud F-bomb. 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

That Halford can still do what he does is amazing. When I saw them last year it was "Victim of Changes" that made my jaw drop. Did Glen Tipton come out for the encore?

NOT playing Painkiller? Come on, dude. One of the few songs they manage to play every show. In the original key and Halford kills it every time.

Bro why the hell are you getting hard liquor at a concert venue. Biggest waste of money of all time

I saw Blue Oyster Cult, Wish Bone Ash, and Foghat for $12.00 (I worked security), Pablo Cruise, Steve Miler and the Eagles were $.20.00. Eddie Money, Ric Deringer, Aerosmith for $20 and we could bring in coolers. Later saw Thin Lizzy SRV for $15.00. At today's price I could only buy a beer. T-shirt were usually $5.00. No, I was not at Woodstock.....But saw Jackson 5 and Supremes for $7.00 in 1969. Eat your Heart out and yes, I saw Heart for $15.00. mostly at Universities and small stadiums 10,000 and less, except Eagles and Aerosmith were in Chicago.Sox Park. Those were the days my friend.

Mike, just saw them in St Louis and the sound was dialed in. The mix was perfect. Sabaton put on a great show here as well but their sound was a little muddy. Really hard to hear the guitars and solos. Merch line was ridiculously long. Really good show if you get a chance to see it.

Yes, I agree. The kick drum and bass need to be felt during a rock show.

The second bartender dissed you because he couldn't believe you'd never heard of Sabaton.

Seen both here in Boston 4/25. Both Bands were fantastic. It was a 10 of a show all around.

I'm watching your videos for quite some time and want to thank you for your work. I really enjoy your channel! I've seen Priest a few weeks ago in Dortmund, Germany....it's been a full on metal blast! The setlist was superb, they played so many songs I craved to hear live someday. It still gives me the chills, everytime I think about it. Rob Halford is just an incredible man, he is up there in his 70s and delivers sooo crazy well. The support Bands were insane as well ... Uriah Heep and Saxon. Holy shit, that's been one night to remember. Keep up the metal, brother! You and your work kick ass

Judas Priest last album is a gold mine, i can't believe a band can play and create such great music after so many years on the road.

Richey Faulkner suffered his heart attack playing Pain Killer and finished the song

The review you gave of both bands could literally apply to the show they did in Boston on April 25th. Sabaton totally kicked ass, Priest's sound felt a little weak. I just loved that they played Sinner. Side note, I'm going to be able to see the show again in Charlotte, NC on the 14th, so I'll update this comment to let you know if the sound improves by then. Oh... in Boston Sabaton's singer also played the Hello Kitty guitar and gave away his sunglasses to a kid in the first row. I think the sunglasses thing is a common occurrence in their show.

Saw Judas Priest British Steel concert back in the 80’s. They were amazing back then.

I saw Priest in Milwaukee in 2019. I am a lifelong fan but this is the first time seeing them live. For me, the big song I wanted to hear was, “Victim of Change.” I never thought I’d hear that during this show but they did it and Rob held out that last “change.” Sent chills up the spine! Great show! Priest has left their mark on this genre for the past 40+ years. That is true art.

When sabaton are headlining shows they actually have another tank that they use with a big cannon that fires pyro out of it

I saw Sabaton with Hammerfall in Chicago in 2019. Already was a huge Hammerfall fan. Been a convert of Sabaton since 2019. I've seen Priest in 79, 82,84,90, 05 and 2018. Will see Priest this tour as well. Thanks for the review.

Dude, I want to see Priest and Sabaton so badly! It's awesome you got to see them, I probably would've teared up during Painkiller too 😅 The same thing happened to me with the T-shirt when I saw Avenged Sevenfold, I got my shirt, walked back to my seat, settled down and it was gone, I found out I dropped it going up the stairs and it was 2 aisles down 😂 Great video, Mike, as always 🤘🤘

Good review, I will be there in Huntsville, AL on 5/7.

Hey Mike... I'm curious... was the kick drum & the bass guitar hitting hard when Sabaton was playing? Or was it anemic there as well? If both bands were lacking, then maybe they just didn't bring the right load-out for the venue. Also, did you notice if the subs were flying, or on the ground in front of the stage? Flying subs are awesome... IF you have the power to drive them properly and the know-how to configure them properly, but even a mediocre sound tech can usually get some decent thump out of a line of subs coupled with a concrete floor. Does the venue have a SPL limit?? This can really be a factor in some venues where there are regulations in place to limit the max SPL, and shows can sound weak, especially if the tech is kinda new to SPL restrictions. It would be hilarious if someone in the comments says hey, I found a Priest shirt on the floor at the venue. Hopefully it wasn't somebody stealing it off your back, that is a serious dick move.

Slade opened for Priest who opened for Aerosmith in 1976. My first concert. I was 13. It was crazy! Aerosmith was still a rock band in those days. I couldn’t hear for a week! 🙉

I went to the St. Louis show on the 5th, took my daughter for her 1st concert. I, much like yourself, had only a very slight notion about Sabaton. I was blown away. Sabaton was f'ing AWESOME! Oddly enough, I had the same thought about Sabaton, Viking Metal. I am assuming that the playsets were the same between your show and mine. Sabaton had a lot of punch (I could feel my Pant legs vibrating), Judas Priest sounded good, But for at least half the show, lacked the punch I was hoping for. Halford sounded solid for most of the show, but seemed a bit tired at the end. Overall, I was very pleased.

Saw same lineup in Kalamazoo Saturday…can confirm. Enjoyed it, but made me even more eager to see Maiden in October.

You should check out clips of Sabaton in Europe they are huge over here. And the show is spectacular

Don’t usually listen to this kinda stuff,but you did a great job,and I can relate!Will check out more reviews

Mike, thanks for the review! How was the light show? My friend from high school is their Lighting Designer. Would love some feedback. Love your channel BTW!

Hey man great video, I was wondering if you could make a video about how to harmonize guitars, every time I look for a video they don't really make sense or explain it for people who don't understand music theory.

I saw the same show in Reading about two weeks ago. The lead singer and stage right guitarist for Sabaton were having a good ole time. The guitarist grabbed the mic stand when the singer wasn't looking and hid it behind the drum riser. The singer came back to center stage and saw it was gone and looked at the guitar player, who gave him an innocent "Who me?" look. Dude they were great!!! And as far as Pain Killer goes, I saw them on that tour and every tour since and Rob has sung it at every show I've been to since 92. He's just the friggin man there is no doubt.

"I start off with a double jack on the rocks" absolute mad man, i like it

I had your tear experience with painkiller february '91 ;) Here I am in my fifties, still listening to metal, still going emotional to certain songs. \m/ \m/

I saw Judas Priest and sabaton on may 1 at rosemont for the first time I had a phenomenal Time and it’s funny Joakim also give his sunglasses to a 6 year old kid in the front row as well just watching him playing the hello kitty guitar had me laughing and thinking of the dooo 😂

Appreciate honesty, so I sincerely enjoyed your take on the show. The "back peddler". Yes, I've experienced those. I don't know if they're so drunk they start to lean back & just keep going that way? I was always the girl from the Sammy Hagar song "Tight pants & lipstick. She's riding on a razor's edge. She holds her own against the boys. Cuts through the crowd just like a wedge". Yep, I admit it. I'll own it. Being 5'10" helps. Thinks it's my Scandinavian DNA ;). I do have sympathy for shorter concert attendees. I've offered to help a few shorter females stand in front of me so they could see better. The sound did sound funky. That drives me nuts too. I've watched/listened to a few Priest shows from this tour & most of them have sounded really good. Love your story telling. I could see it happening. Maybe, we should all learn sign language to order our drinks. You earned a new sub! Anxious to see your other videos. Now, I've got to go listen to Priest!

I'd love to see Sabaton in concert. I'd love to see them on a European tour. They go all out for those because they can haul more equipment over there since it's closer to home. It would have been cool to see JP, but I would be there mostly for Sabaton. And Joacim (?)...yep...."my friends" is one of his things. 😁 Did Priest do "Freewheel Burning"? And if they did it, are they still playing it with that half-time sort of feel to it? And I don't know why they just don't say Andy Sneap is the other guitar player for Judas Priest and be done with it. I think he's earned the right to say "I'm one of the guitar players in Judas Priest". No offense to Glenn and may his health take a turn for the better, but that's Sneap's spot now.

Thanks for the review. Going to see them this weekend.. Mobile Al. 🤟🔥

Tommy Johansson? You haven’t heard of him??? Please check his channel out. He used to play guitar for Sabaton. Killer player and singer. Watch his version of twisted sister Price!!

You need to get into Sabaton, they’re epic. As for shirts, lately I’ve been going to shows wearing a nasty thrift store shirt, then buying a shirt at the merch table and putting it on, then tossing the thrift shirt.

I saw the original Painkiller concert tour 35 years ago before Painkiller had become as notable among fans as it now has. Just imagine seeing Rob at the height of his powers! I subsequently saw him shortly thereafter touring as Fight then as Halford. Incredible shows!

Priest was my very first concert in 2022, and i cant wait to see them in June!

As much as I love Priest, I'd actually rather see Sabaton live just for pure entertainment.

Interesting comments on the sound for JP. There were similar issues on the UK tour a big contrast between support Saxon and JP as headliner.

yea Sabaton is pretty huge. Especially in Europe. One of my favorite bands. I guess you could call their genre history power metal as all songs are about history. Would guess their last song there is quite popular in the US as it's about an american soldier

I saw Sabaton pull off a 3 hour set once when the band had only 24 hours to prepare. Amazing musicians.

Lasers and fireworks from Sabatons drums comes on their own tour, and a bigger tank too. The sing about historical events and nerver take one sides part. The drummer, Hannes, is married too Floor Jensen from Nightwish.

I was there, too, and must have been standing just a few feet away from you! Great rundown of a great show!

Yess, been looking forward to this. Love the shirt! Congrats on 881k Subscribers! 🤘🏻🔥

Hey bro what is that Judas Priest t-shirt? Any links would rock and what album? thanks

Nice review. I wonder if the difference in sound between bands is due to the bands themselves. Like maybe they ask the soundman to make it sound a certain way? Dunno. Was it the same soundman for both bands?

I was supposed to go see Priest and Sabaton in 2021, just after the pandemic restrictions were being lifted. They had to postpone the show due to Richie's heart issue. When the rescheduled dates were announced, Sabaton wasn't on the tour. I was looking forward to seeing them as much as Priest.

Great review Chachi, Priest Rules!

Just saw them in Kalamazoo MI. Halford and Ian still getting it done.

Sabaton is my favorite band!!!! Seeing them in Evansville next weekend.

Seen Sabaton twice. Awesome both times! First time was at Trondheim metal festival in Norway on my honeymoon. My wife and I had gone to support our friends in the band Evile who were playing there over the weekend. I’d never heard Sabaton until I was researching the bands that would be on whilst we were there. Been a fan ever since. Joakim had actually lost a bet at the show they did a few days before Trondheim and had to hike all the way to the gig. It was something like a whole week of walking. He blogged it on KZfaq lol.

Sabaton are all standup guys ! my band got to share the stage with them in 2012 and they stayed after the show to talk and take pics ! still one of my highlights in my music career :)

Dude, Ritchie Faulkner’s heart bifercated during the solo of Pain Killer at Louder than Life 2022….they almost always play that song from what I understand.

When the guitarist for Saboton went behind the singer to make him laugh, he was putting an extra drumstick in between the singer's legs as a prank.

Seen preist play the taste of mn doing the 30th anniversary of British steel album front to back. It was awesome

Man you were in the way back. I was in that pit for painkiller and it was insane plus i thought they sounded great but i think i was just happy to get to see priest for the 1st time

Damn!!!! I’m a black dude that plays Jazz/Fusion even I know who Sabaton is. The guitarist who just recently came back to the band? Who plays all the Stratocasters? Phenomenal! His touch and precision? Makes it look too easy.

Judas Priest was my 1st show, Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, Point of Entry tour, Whitesnake in the middle, pre-ballads, still bluesy, and Iron Maiden opened, Killers album. Eddie on stilts, later years a balloon. 😔 But had my mom dye my hair in honor of KK Downing as a junior in high school, '82, kept it through graduation almost waist length. I hate that some of my favorite bands are splintered with plug in facsimile replacements now. 🎸

I was there too! Very close and screaming my head off 🎉

I'll be seeing JP in about a month in Finland. Pretty excited!

The sunglasses thing reminds me of Bret Hart

Oh, man. Kills me I was probably 40 feet from you. Would’ve been great to say hello. I agree with your review of both bands. This was my second time seeing Sabaton, and they’re so energetic and tight. I thought Rob Halford’s voice was in remarkably good form, but was disappointed that Scott Travis and Ian Hill were buried in the mix. “Love Bites” in particular sounded like the White Stripes, zero bottom end. Still, just a remarkable show. Really happy that the Metal God seems to be living his best life. And kudos to the Armory for having logistics down to a science. We figured we’d be stuck trying to get out of the parking garage for an hour, but were on our way in five minutes flat.

Great review. Welcome to Sabaton! The shows in CT and NJ were more about Priest than Sabaton. It may be that more Minnesota people are Swedish. I’m hearing a buzz in the US around Sabaton lately. Unfortunately, they didn’t play Christmas Truce this time. If you like Sabaton, you should watch their Christmas Truce music video.

I've known about Sabaton since Primo Victoria became a minor copypasta meme like 5 years ago, and instantly delved into their discography. I saw them last year in Leeds and they were absolutely incredible. Easily up there with Maiden and Rammstein with regard to putting on a show. Also, a bit of trivia, the red white and black flag with the chain on it that Judas Priest use in their visuals is the flag of the Black Country, the area where the band was founded and many of the members are from. I'm also from there!

Definitely Viking Rock! New to me, thank you!!

Seen Sabaton 5 times, compared to once for Judas Priest. Full set of Sabaton is always a blast.

I remember that Deep Purple Tour with Priest. I film the videos for Scott on his YT channel @ScottTravis. They did not play Painkiller regularly when Glen was still playing, due to his illness. He would let them know if it was a good or bad night. They mostly play it every night with Andy.

That was really enjoyable. Thanks!

choking that you don't know sabaton. they remindes me of early iron maiden. so they are solid.